Camilla Sale on Thu 18 September 2008 - Sat 20 September 2008.
Hippie-cum-glamour girl Camilla Franks creates lively, feminine, exotic pieces that can be worn by women of all age and sizes, and from all cultures and places. Since its launch, her label - Camilla - has been in high demand from celebrities such as Sharon Stone, Prince, Nicole Kidman, Paris Hilton, Bette Midler, Kim Catrell and Elle McPherson. Her creations are now a regular hit on the red carpet.
Here, she talks about her passion for kaftan fashion - and life in general - with Di Cant.
Q: These wonderful kaftans and dresses - where did this all begin?
A: My beautiful mum is the original Kaftan Queen. From as early as I can remember she was floating around in these unique designs that she collected during her travels and worldly adventures. This colourful influence made its way into my acting world, where I'd design flamboyant costumes for my fabulous characters.
Q: What, if any, formal training did you receive?
A: No formal training whatsoever - I'm definitely not the best on the sewing machine. My training has come from backstage in the theatre - sewing up the last hem of my flamenco dress for Isla or adding the last few stitches into a headscarf for Tatiana, queen of the fairies in A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Q: What inspires you each season (e.g. fabric, colours, history?) to keep on creating these unique and fabulous designs?
A: My inspiration comes from all the fond memories of wonderful moments in my life - with my family, friends, and while travelling. The sea is also an important factor in my life as it symbolises freedom. I also get much of my inspiration from the theatre and wonderful characters I see on stage.
Q: Where do you source your brilliant fabrics and who does the stunning beading for which you are famous?
A: I'm lucky to be in an industry where I can travel the world as a means of inspiration and "research". Vibrant places like Marrakesh, Mumbai, and Provence give me wonderful insight into authentic fabrics and textile-making. Travelling with my "bodyguard" - also known as my father - allows me to explore little nooks and alleyways to find rare beadwork and embroidery techniques.
Q: Who is the Camilla customer?
A: I've always had an "all welcoming" approach to my clientele - my designs are timeless and sizeless. The Camilla woman is free-spirited, confident, and celebrates a vibrant sense of joie de vive. And most importantly, she's proud to be a woman.
Q: How many stores do you sell to? Do you export to overseas stores?
A: The Camilla label can be found in high-end boutiques and department stores in Australia and internationally, like David Jones nationally and Harvey Nichols across the UK and in Dubai. We've also expanded to stock our designs in luxury resorts and spas worldwide, including the Huvafen Fushi Resort in the Maldives. We've also recently opened our first flagship store in Bondi Beach - offering calming views of the ocean for our clients; it's such a great beach pad!
Q: May we have a peek at what will be on the racks from Camilla for spring/summer 08?
A: The Camilla spring/summer 08 collection is inspired by my travels from rustic Marrakesh to the ritzy St Tropez to the idyllic Italian countryside, which is why it's named "Sirocco" - the wind pattern that journeys through these areas.
Q: Camilla, what is your favourite destination and why?
A: St Paul de Vence in the south of France. It's an artist's haven - where Picasso spent his days painting and sculpted. It's like "gingerbread land" on the top of a hill; my idea of heaven on earth. There are beautiful galleries to lose yourself in and amazingly authentic restaurants using only the freshest produce. And the view is to die for!
Q: When you travel overseas, what pieces do you always take?
A: Kaftans for meetings, Geisha coats to stay warm in, and jumpsuits for playful nights out. And I'm also on a health kick at the moment, so I take my runners everywhere with me.
I also think it's really important to be stylish when you're arriving off a plane - so I always pack my cashmere jumpsuits and lounge sets from our new winter 08 collection.
Q: What is the best advice you have ever been given?
A: "Just do it."
Q: Have you any famous clients who wear Camilla?
A: Celebrities ranging from Beyonce to Sharon Stone to Bette Midler are loyal clients. I was invited to the Grammy Awards last year where I was given the opportunity to meet incredible people in the music industry, like Paula Abdul, Puff Daddy, and Prince - who have all since become some of my favourite clients.
Q: Whom, if you could choose, would you most like to dress and why?
A: Sophia Loren - to me she epitomises sensual elegance and radiates a feminine, playful charm. And she's proud to be a real woman - curves and all.
Q: What has been the biggest moment in your career so far?
A: There have been two major highlights:
- Launching the Women of the World coffee table book for UNIFEM. To date we've raised $85,000 helping underprivileged women create a future for themselves. This book can be found at David Jones nationally.
- Signing a contract with global beauty house Elizabeth Arden to create an exclusive collection in conjunction with the launch of their "Mediterranean Breeze" fragrance, for which Catherine Zeta-Jones is the face.
In Brisbane, you can find Camilla creations in David Jones stores or check out the latest collections on Camilla's website.
