I’m so happy you’re here.
I built Callah for the girl who is figuring it out. Motivated, sometimes discouraged, but still growing. I know her because I am her. I made these clothes so we are comfortable and confident as we move through life.
Meet Callah's Founder & Designer
Hi, I'm Tess.
how it started
Turning imagination into something real.
I have always loved the process of turning imagination into something real. When I was younger, I spent weekends designing mock-ups with my younger brother. As life became busier through middle and high school, I still found myself returning to creative work whenever I needed clarity or balance; and fashion became the outlet that stayed with me most consistently.
My introduction to the fashion industry began through modeling, which taught me how much clothing can affect the way someone feels about themselves. I became fascinated by the relationship between beauty and functionality, how a garment could feel comfortable and effortless while also giving someone confidence. That curiosity led me to Vogue Business of Fashion Summer Program where I learned how to turn an idea into a product.
As I developed Callah, I knew I wanted it to feel personal and encouraging. The name came from the calla lily, a flower I've always associated with elegance, resilience, and quiet beauty. From that came the phrase it's your garden, which became Callah’s foundation.
Behind the name
A calla lily isn't just a flower
The calla lily has always felt like the right symbol to me. It's elegant and simple. Quietly beautiful, the kind of thing you might almost overlook until it stops you completely.
That's the feeling I wanted Callah to carry. And it's where the phrase it's your garden was born. To me, it's a reminder that we have the ability to shape our lives intentionally. The people we surround ourselves with, the thoughts we nurture, the goals we pursue, and the environments we create all become part of the garden we grow.
Just like a real garden, growth takes care, patience, and consistency, but it can become something deeply meaningful over time. That's worth tending.
the design
I design for my friends.
My design philosophy always starts with the people around me. I imagine my friends wearing each piece and think about how they'll truly feel in it , not just physically, through the softness and comfort of the fabric, but emotionally too.
Comfort is at the center of everything I design, but I also want each piece to inspire confidence and ease. I'm inspired by classic fashion publications like Vogue and Elle, but a lot of my real inspiration comes from everyday life. Pinterest boards, women who promote confidence and self-expression, and simple beautiful things: flowers, sunsets and rich textures.
Ultimately, I want my designs to feel effortless, personal, and uplifting. Pieces people can truley live in and feel good wearing.
the making
From sketch to your hands, made in the mountains.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have grown up around people who understand both design and business. Their guidance has been invaluable throughout this process.
I partnered with a local manufacturer to bring my designs to life. I work closely with Stacy Christensen and her team at The Label Branders, who help transform my hand-drawn sketches into finished pieces. Stacy's designer, Shelby, and I translate those sketches into detailed production-ready tech packs. From there, skilled seamstresses carefully construct each piece and hand-finish the embroidery and design details right here in the Wasatch mountains.
The raw materials, such as our soft modal fabrics and lightweight lace, are shipped from California to Ogden, where each garment is assembled with attention todetail and hand packaged with care - callah note included.
One of the most meaningful parts of this process is knowing that every detail has been created with human care and attention.
Xo, Tess.
the reminder
it's your garden. Tend it.
Callah is just the reminder, sewn in. The growing part is yours, and you don't have to figure it out alone. Welcome to the garden.
Notes from the Garden
Why The Cami is the comfortable yet elevated everyday cami you've been looking for
The story of Tess, the calla lily, and why Callah exists