Meet Tamara Arcilla: The Artist Bringing Childhood Wonder to ModCloth

Long before her artwork appeared on dresses and skirts, Tamara Arcilla was an elementary school student drawing a Tootsie Roll in art class. 

"It was the first time I realized that making art was an actual thing," she recalls. "When my Tootsie Roll drawing got picked to go in the glass display case in the hallway, that was it. I was completely hooked."

That sense of wonder has never really left—and here at ModCloth, we're grateful for it, which is why we’re excited to introduce our community to the ModCloth x Tamara Arcilla Collection.

Today, Tamara is known for her bold, painterly style and colorful illustrations that celebrate everyday life. Flowers, books, cozy corners, favorite foods, family moments, and treasured memories all find their way into her work. It's art that feels joyful, familiar, and deeply personal. Her designs are reflections of her.

Growing up, she surrounded herself with creativity. She dreamed of having a cozy bedroom filled with art supplies, flipped through dELiA*s catalogs and TEEN magazines for inspiration, and found magic in everything from Polly Pocket to Anne of Green Gables.

Those influences still show up today.

"Wonder is everywhere," Tamara says. "As adults, we get busy and forget how to slow down long enough to notice the magic around us. My work is a little reminder that wonder never actually left."

That sense of wonder and whimsy is something we hold tight at ModCloth, and we knew this partnership would be kismet. It made partnering with Tamara feel like a natural fit—especially as we continue to grow the ModCloth Marketplace and champion independent artists and women-owned brands.

When Tamara first discovered ModCloth, she wasn't an artist looking for a collaboration. She was a customer looking for clothes that reflected who she was.

"I was first attracted to ModCloth as a customer looking to find creative clothing that expressed myself," she says. "I stayed because I loved the colorful and unique clothing, flattering styles, and size inclusivity."

So when the opportunity arose to transform her artwork into fashion, it felt like a full-circle moment.

"It honestly gives me butterflies," she says. "I love seeing my artwork produced in ways that allow others to connect with and really own the imagery for themselves."

You can see pieces of Tamara throughout the collection. Her love of color shines through in the Rainbow Summer print featured on the The Getaway Grace Dress and matching Spotlight Spark Sleeveless Shirt. Her playful spirit comes alive in the Mixed Signals Dirndl Skirt, which she calls the piece that feels most like her, thanks to its whimsical silhouette, external pockets, and unexpected details.

Even the Rainbows at Midnight print in our best selling Carousel Cutie Dress feels like a glimpse into her creative world—bold, joyful, and a little nostalgic. Same with the print that feels equally at home at a craft fair, a bookstore, or your Nana’s house —the Kitsch on Table print with vintage kitty prints all over it is pure joy and what’s better, it comes on another best selling dress. You’ll have to click the link to see which one. 

Tamara says about the dress, “Inspired by cozy moments and everyday joy, these colorful prints were designed to bring a little extra whimsy to your wardrobe. Thank you for supporting this collaboration and I hope you love wearing these pieces as much as I loved creating them!"

When asked what she hopes people feel when they wear the collection, her answer wasn't about fashion trends or compliments.

"I hope they feel beautiful and comfortable in their own skin. More than that, I hope they see their own story reflected in the pieces they choose."

It's a sentiment that perfectly captures both Tamara's work and the ModCloth community.

And when asked what kind of legacy she hopes her art leaves behind, her answer came without hesitation:

"Joy. Relentless joy."

The kind that shows up on hard days. The kind that celebrates life's biggest moments. The kind that reminds us that wonder never really leaves us. That celebrates quirky details and honors the creative curiosity that resides in us all. 

And if you ask Tamara what's bringing her joy right now?

"This collab."