Department founder Camille Seven welcomed us into her Nashville shop, a space where objects are chosen on instinct, finishing touches take center stage, and everything feels considered without trying too hard. The mood? Quietly confident, a little mysterious, and always with a story to tell.

We lit Circus and talked about the intimacy of retail, the objects that earn their place, and why Camille chose Circus candles for Department in the first place.

What’s the most unexpected thing that’s happened in this space since you opened?

I think what’s surprised me most is how emotional people get in here. I expected people to shop, to discover things, but I didn’t expect how often they linger, open up, and tell me stories about their homes or who they’re becoming. There have been moments where someone picks something up and it just clicks for them, and you can feel it shift their energy. That part -the intimacy of it - has been really unexpected and really special.

If this store had a personality, who would it be?

She’s the person who always knows how to finish a look, but it’s never obvious why. Effortless, but very considered. She has great taste, but she’s not loud about it. There’s a quiet confidence, a little bit of mystery, and a sense that everything around her has a story.

What makes an object earn its place at Department?

It has to feel like more than just a product. I’m always asking: does this add something? Does it shift a space, a mood, a person’s sense of self? There’s a lot of instinct involved. It needs to feel intentional, a little unexpected, and like it belongs in someone’s life long-term, not just for a moment.

Why did you choose Circus for your store?

Circus immediately felt aligned with how I think about objects - as something you don’t just use, but experience. There’s a tension in it that I love: it’s playful but elevated, sensual but still very designed. It doesn’t feel like a traditional candle; it feels like an object with a point of view, which is exactly what I’m drawn to for the store.

What do you think draws your clients to Circus?

I think it starts with the object design - it’s hard to ignore - but what keeps people engaged is the feeling it creates. There’s something a little provocative, a little unexpected. It feels like a piece you choose, not just something you pick up. And once people smell it, it all connects - the visual and the scent feel like they’re telling the same story.