Queen of the Kaftan
September 26th 2008 22:21
Yves Saint Laurent first used the kaftan shape on the catwalk for evening wear in the 1960s and 1970s. A few seasons ago, Tom Ford played homage to the design and sexed up the image of the kaftan by using flowing silk and animal prints. The loose fitting garment--once thought beyond revival--has now achieved classic status and is available at all fashion-forward boutiques.
But it is a loose-fitting Australian label Camilla that has had extraordinary success in a short time. Camilla established the business in 2004 and it’s now stocked worldwide. The biggest markets are the UK, the Middle East and Australia.
The kaftan range and the company's everywoman philosophy caught the attention of Elizabeth Arden in 2007. The American cosmetics giant was so impressed it asked Camilla to design a capsule collection for the launch of its perfume, Mediterranean.
“Elizabeth Arden wanted a personal feel to it. So I designed a 20-piece collection, which was inspired by memories of favourite places, like Positano, Antibes, Monaco, Santorini; places where I have spent time with my family. The collection features the many blues of the Mediterranean, and incorporates hand-beaded details on chiffon, silk and satin in a series of exotic and playful prints. It's been a huge success ... and we’re talking about continuing the relationship.”
Young Camilla Franks has done much with her 31 years. She's been a Bond girl, she's resurrected the kaftan and she's opened a flagship store that sells her super-successful fashion label in one of the most beautiful places on earth... Bondi Beach...
Producing two collections a year, Camilla creates lively, feminine, exotic pieces that can be worn by women of all ages and sizes [8-28], from all cultures and places. The designer believes that colour is everything. Most of the success of the label is due to the exciting use of colour.
“The other key philosophy behind my designs is that I don't discriminate with size or shape. The label celebrates all women, from petite to more-to-love. The style is loose fitting, very forgiving. You don't have to wear a bra or knickers or pull your tummy in, and it's still flattering. There’s something for everyone. I live in them.”
In her fifth season, Australian Designer Camilla Franks presents collections inspired by classic French cinema ‘Manon des Sources’ - drawing upon the languid sensuality and untamed beauty of Emmanuelle Beart and Provencal earth tones of nude, ivory, citrine, azure, coral and burnished gold to produce signature embellished tunics, tops, sundresses in barely there silks with burn out prints and cottons with decorative hand embroidery, beadwork and gold painted motifs. The mood: reminiscent of a sultry summer’s day with cicadas, dazzling sunsets and indelible memories…
You can find her fabulous creations in high-end boutiques and department stores such as Harvey Nichols, Henri Bendel, David Jones in Australia and, now, her very own Bondi Beach House flagship store.
http://www.camilla.com.au
But it is a loose-fitting Australian label Camilla that has had extraordinary success in a short time. Camilla established the business in 2004 and it’s now stocked worldwide. The biggest markets are the UK, the Middle East and Australia.
The kaftan range and the company's everywoman philosophy caught the attention of Elizabeth Arden in 2007. The American cosmetics giant was so impressed it asked Camilla to design a capsule collection for the launch of its perfume, Mediterranean.
“Elizabeth Arden wanted a personal feel to it. So I designed a 20-piece collection, which was inspired by memories of favourite places, like Positano, Antibes, Monaco, Santorini; places where I have spent time with my family. The collection features the many blues of the Mediterranean, and incorporates hand-beaded details on chiffon, silk and satin in a series of exotic and playful prints. It's been a huge success ... and we’re talking about continuing the relationship.”
Young Camilla Franks has done much with her 31 years. She's been a Bond girl, she's resurrected the kaftan and she's opened a flagship store that sells her super-successful fashion label in one of the most beautiful places on earth... Bondi Beach...
Producing two collections a year, Camilla creates lively, feminine, exotic pieces that can be worn by women of all ages and sizes [8-28], from all cultures and places. The designer believes that colour is everything. Most of the success of the label is due to the exciting use of colour.
“The other key philosophy behind my designs is that I don't discriminate with size or shape. The label celebrates all women, from petite to more-to-love. The style is loose fitting, very forgiving. You don't have to wear a bra or knickers or pull your tummy in, and it's still flattering. There’s something for everyone. I live in them.”
In her fifth season, Australian Designer Camilla Franks presents collections inspired by classic French cinema ‘Manon des Sources’ - drawing upon the languid sensuality and untamed beauty of Emmanuelle Beart and Provencal earth tones of nude, ivory, citrine, azure, coral and burnished gold to produce signature embellished tunics, tops, sundresses in barely there silks with burn out prints and cottons with decorative hand embroidery, beadwork and gold painted motifs. The mood: reminiscent of a sultry summer’s day with cicadas, dazzling sunsets and indelible memories…
The Designer
You can find her fabulous creations in high-end boutiques and department stores such as Harvey Nichols, Henri Bendel, David Jones in Australia and, now, her very own Bondi Beach House flagship store.
http://www.camilla.com.au
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