Movement - Through Life 

Versatility, playfulness, movement—these are just a few of the values which Atelier Tulpe embodies.

In her soft, feminine designs composed of cream, pink, green, and blue hues—Mackenzie Cameron (founder and designer of Atelier Tulpe) transforms movement from an industry buzzword into physical aesthetic. We spoke to her about her moments from her childhood (quilting with her grandmother, playing dress-up in Bridgewater, running to spend her first paycheque on a sewing machine), the intersection of movement and sustainability in her work, and the designs, inspirations, and priorities that have transformed her over time. 

Cameron remembers a childhood spent in Ontario, describing for me a series of bright, colourful memories surrounded by plush textiles. Her grandmother, a quilter, showed her the basics of sewing and quilting. Cameron recalls an early passion for clothes, cute things and dressing up, telling me about (unsuccessfully) begging her mother to let her buy a pair of wedge heels. Today, the physicality of touching fabric first in a fabric store and then in her studio remains a primary source of inspiration. 

In 2018, Cameron conceived of “Atelier Tulpe”, where it sprung to life—as many good things do—on her notes app. 

‘Tulpe’ is German for tulip—my mum’s side is German and I’ve always felt particularly close to that heritage. When I was little, there were two things I’d always look for at the end of March and in early April: green buds on a tree on my driveway and this pink tulip plant… any sign of green, really, brought me so much joy. So, Atelier Tulpe. It was important to me to bring that feeling of joy into the brand.

Fast forward five-odd years later, and Atelier Tulpe has become a brick-and-mortar location, tucked away in the Dominion Building in Vancouver’s Gastown—the showroom is sun-soaked and colourful, with organic bouquets and flirtatious flowers mirroring the green and pinks of Cameron’s most recent collection. It’s naturally inviting, enveloping you in its calm, warm space. 

Movement & Versatility 

Ethical considerations and sustainability guide the Atelier’s ethos, with small, made to order batches, made just next door by a woman-led manufacturer. Cameron’s pieces are dreamy and sought after in ways only limited quantities of something can be. Through her local-prioritization, she has contributed not only to her own portfolio, but to the fabric of her local community. 

Sustainability has become such a buzzword in the industry. On a values level, for me, versatility is the main goal. You can wear the bowtie vest in so many ways. There’s an element of stylistic versatility in how I design – can you wear the garment everyday? Can you dress it up? When you try to foster intentional shopping and the creation of a capsule wardrobe, you reduce how much you need – and quality adds to that, like, if you’re reaching for something all the time, a quality garment should be able to stand up to that wear. 

I didn’t start with this big hero story. I wanted to do something that I was drawn to, and it’s been really special because the articulation of bringing in the things that are important to me have come into play and are much stronger now. 

Humans by nature are so creative, and everyone has the potential to create, it’s as though it’s a muscle that needs to be exercised. I literally gave Atelier Tulpe so many shots. So many. But despite any creative droughts or setbacks, I just kept coming back to it. I think that consistency and inability to fail was really necessary for the brand’s success. 

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I first met Cameron just under two years ago at an intimate natural wine tasting (where else) hosted by Martina Maude of Maude Sips. We sat side-by-side, throwing adjectives like juicy, jammy, or zippy back and forth, as I  peppered Cameron with questions about her aspirations and dreams for Atelier Tulpe—where the brand had started, where it was, and where she wanted it to go. I remember someone told me how they were just certain we’d click—and she was right. She has since, too, with Claudia Kriz, my business partner and co-Founder of The Ör.  

Today, as Kriz and I look forward to our first exclusive collaboration altogether, Cameron and I’s first meeting feels almost serendipitous, a feeling reflected in our collection. We take a special classic—the Bowtie Vest—and rework in ways that whisper to our memories (LA, Vancouver, fabric shops and low-lit dinners), conversations (over fifty swatches, can we make it reversible?) and unintended manifestations shared. 

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves—back to Cameron! When I asked her what brings her the most joy, apart from her brand, Cameron shared the following: 

Movement. I love yoga for its connection to the mind, being able to become stronger and more fluid in my movement. Being able to do things with my body, see progress – that makes me happy. 

I love writing; I always used to write stories during Nova Scotia summers when I was young. I wish I did more of it. I wish I were more intentional with carving out time for writing. 

I love to cook – wait, have I told you about Octoberfeast?I host all my friends and transform my living room into a  restaurant… I spend the whole day cooking a giant, huge meal and refuse help from everyone. I love cooking, especially when it’s something to be shared. 

On what’s important to her: 

Friendships, especially female friendships. When I was younger it was something I think I always longed for. I love everything I experience in them – my friends are endlessly supportive, kind, sharing, giving, loving. 

I think in both business and life, women move through the world differently than men. I take a lot of inspiration from the women around me - Alej and Randa [of Siista and Collective Will, respectively] in how they take opportunities and just jump on things. It’s inspiring and symbiotic. Being able to talk with women about their business and your business, it creates a really strong community and mutual understanding. I’ve always felt that male entrepreneurs present as hypermasculine, and female entrepreneurs present as masculine, maybe to ‘make up’ for things they feel are missing, in a way? Most businesses in the Dominion Building are female-owned, so I don’t feel like I really have to put on that masculine energy. It’s all felt really natural. 

Other things that are important to me… the idea of rest, for sure. I used to work non-stop – outsourcing production has really helped with that. I used to work a minimum of six hours a day and had literally no time for anything – in my studio constantly, always on fight or flight. There was definitely some imposter syndrome woven into that too. 

But, your life is your portfolio, you know? 

I love having a nice dinner, enjoying a meal. Having passion in life; having a purpose. I want to feel like I’m contributing something, like what I’m doing is integral to the human experience. 

On any advice she might have, either for a younger version of herself or for aspiring creatives: 

Don’t grip onto perfection as though it defines you. It doesn’t. I was such a perfectionist and had such a fear of failure, like, there was this tightness in me that I just constantly felt. 

Endless time and space. That’s what I tell myself now – things only matter when you give them space. Like, if it matters when I fail, it’s only because I think it matters, not because it actually does. Detaching from outcomes; letting go of controls; accepting that it’s okay to ask for help; trusting more. 

Movement & Moving Toward: 

Cameron has a special way of storytelling through her pieces. Her designs are more improvisational than prescriptive, inviting and thoughtful, toeing the line between elegant and playful. As a person, I find Cameron thoughtful and authentic, two characteristics that seem to be woven into the fabric she touches. Beyond her work, her priorities and preferences in life are equally considered and reflect a desire to sit with herself, savour what she loves, and relish life’s simple pleasures. 

I wanted to ask her what she would do if she had only one day left to spend in Vancouver. Cameron chose to fill it with the following: 

Marche St. George to start. Hopefully it’d be the last day of summer – warm at least. I’d spend the whole day at this little spot near Wreck Beach; the Stanley Park loop; Pitch n Putt. I’d have three dinners – Bar Tartare first for some natural wine; Bluewater for sushi; ELEM; Nammos. After dinner I’d go for a game of pool. Of course, then up to Whistler – hopefully this day has 48 hours (she’s laughing as she says this). I’d stop at all my favourite stores, get a memento from each and then drive on the Sea to Sky and then ski … though might only have time for a few runs. 

On her perfect day, with time, money and feasibility no object:  

Oh wow. I think ideally I’d just teleport and hop around the world to taste everything… pasta and lobster rolls and fish & chips from Mcleods Canteen in Nova Scotia – they give you the heftiest portion of fish and chips with this light but crispy batter; cream-filled cappelletti in Taormina – it’s the most amazing, little pieces of pasta that burst in your mouth like a cherry tomato. I’d go for a morning, powder-y ski in Hokkaido and have katsu curry, sashimi, chutoro, onigiri. I’d obviously have to throw in vintage shopping in Paris and Amsterdam and then I think I’d  just head to the coast, dip my toes in the Med and lay in the sun and read my favourite novels: Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho and Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now. 

Before I said goodbye, I asked Cameron about her brand’s enormous and altogether surprising growth over the past few years. With features in Elle Canada, Fashion Canada and Vogue Hong Kong, coupled with significant success on TikTok, her designs evidently speak to people. Yet she says it’s growth she could have “never imagined”. We explored what’s next to come, whether it might be more in-person shopping experiences or the possibility of a pop-up store in New York. 

I’m looking forward to collaborating with more new brands in the city. The last eight months I’ve really been able to focus on new design more, which is exciting. I’d love to find someone who does knitwear and explore new mediums, maybe create a quirky little product – shoelaces, bag, a belt? 

We’ll see. 



This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Words: Liliana Orlikow | Co-Founder, The Ör