Shop Local: Camille Frances DePedrini to Host Summer Sale (Video and Photos)

Camille DePedrini has always had a knack for event wear whether it be making it, manufacturing it or selling it. 

"I really love what I do," said DePedrini last Thursday morning wearing a polka-dotted blouse and a long floral skirt in the dressing room of her store, "That's part of what makes the store special."

DePedrini moved to the area from Oakland, Calif. in 1995 and began working for Sonny's (now ) on Fair Oaks before owning her own clothing store in that space. Three years ago, she brought Camille Frances DePedrini to Mission Street. On July 4, Camille will hold its summer sale from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m featuring discounted evening wear.

"It will be a wedding dress, evening dress and possible prom dress sale," said DePedrini. "We'll have informal modeling and a lot of things that haven't even been on the floor yet." 

The basement of Camille is filled with tons of samples and the back room with photos of garments. DePedrini works directly with designers to create one-of-a-kind pieces. But its not just special events like the Emmy Awards (yes the Emmys, and the Oscars, too) that she dresses women for, its also casual events like honeymoons and vacations. 

"We specialize in anything from very small events—people going to lunch or dinner—to wedding dresses and mothers of the bride," she said. 

DePedrini's store is meticulously decorated from the raised artwork on the walls to the unique hanger creations sporadically placed throughout. It's no surprise that she had a helping hand from her husband who teaches production design at University of Southern California.

"When I found the space, it was hard to visualize how the three stores would fit," she said of her Mission Street storefront connected to  and . "We each designed our own space. My husband did the larger strokes on my store, and I did the softer things like wallpaper."

DePedrini's customers come from all over East L.A., and she can typically expect a "flurry" of shoppers looking for something to wear to the Oscars. 

"Last year, we dressed the art director from Alice in Wonderland," she said. "Most are behind-the-scenes—wives of directors, production designers, editors."

But don't let that intimidate you. Camille's small staff and quaint interior will make you feel right at home.