Our Story

We're a modern bohemian boutique based in the little hippie town of Ojai, CA featuring an eclectic array of apparel, accessories, and swim for everyday style. Brands like Free People, Montce Swim, Daydreamer Tees, and Mikal Winn Jewelry sit alongside the shop’s eponymous label, Kariella. The result is a highly personalized shopping experience that caters to those who believe that fashion should be both fun and effortless.

#ojai

Kariella is the childhood dream of founder Amara Bessa. Her fashion career began on the retail floor of BCBG at the age of 16. She went on to work as a visual merchandiser for Donna Karan, Forever 21, Tiki Girl (formerly Tiki Lounge), and Nordstrom. Later, she became a buyer for Angel, a Wendy Foster store in Montecito.

After 15 years of retail experience, Amara, an ambitious single mother of two, launched Kariella in her garage. Her goal was simple: To help women feel confident in their own skin. The success of that venture led Amara to open up her first retail store just three weeks later. And the rest is fashion history.

Today, the company is located in the beautiful downtown Ojai, California.

Amara and daughter, Kariella (car-ee-ella)