Since the overnight success of her launch seven years ago, Camilla Franks continues to be internationally recognised as a designer with a unique approach to making women look and feel sensational.

Her vibrant, playful and luxurious designs break the boundaries and are rapidly earning her the reputation as one of the most prodigious and clever fashion print designers in the world.

With an ever-growing list of celebrity fans including Oprah Winfrey, Miranda Kerr, Kate Hudson, Lily Allen, and Beyoncé Knowles, who have all embraced her creations, Camilla is a brand on the move despite the global downturn.

So how did Camilla Franks become one of Australia’s most iconic fashion designers?

During the early stages of Camilla’s theatre career, she took the initiative to design and create flamboyant costumes to represent her characters.

Camilla’s debut collection was launched during 2004 at The Intercontinental Hotel – in an opera that she choreographed and directed. “I’m still amazed that a simple kaftan concept started the evolution of my brand“, says the designer who picked up David Jones department store as one of her first stockists and today is available at 11 of their department stores.

Camilla’s signature colourful graphic prints and free-flowing designs are the core focus of the designer’s individuality and popularity, however, the entrepreneur in her is continually diversifying her brand. Camilla’s unique design philosophy that: “All women have the right to look and feel beautiful no matter their age, colour, size or origin” is a testament to the brand’s popularity. “I design for all shapes and sizes – all personalities and walks of life – I just want to make women look and feel beautiful whether it’s in a figure-hugging micro mini or a lavishly bejeweled cocktail dress”.

Camilla hosts fashion shows in the most luxurious venues around the world including the Maldives, Dubai and Greece, including a joint collaboration with Swarovski for each hotel guest to “crystallise their own Camilla kaftan”. During this time, each guest of the Huvafen Fushi Resort in the Maldives was able to personalise their own Camilla piece that was specifically designed for the resort.

Camilla captivated the fashion world at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week 2010 with the launch of her BABYLON’ Spring Summer 2010/11 Collection. The designer collaborated with 20th Century Fox to unveil a secret Avatar theme with a unique sensory experience and theatrical production which was one of Australia’s most talked-about runway shows.

In 2011, her follow-up collection ‘Woodstock’ took a new direction introducing original styles, cuts and prints in dark monochromatic silhouettes pared with the brand’s iconic colourful designs.

Loved by the media, Camilla has been a special guest judge for Foxtel’s ‘Project Runway’ Show where she continues to inspire the fashion talent when she appears as a guest judge in 2011. Camilla has also been an expert judge on Fox 8’s ‘Australia’s Next Top Model’ and a special guest on many daytime shows including ‘Sunrise’, ‘The Morning Show’ and Kerri Anne’. Her upbeat personality, fashion knowledge and charisma on camera cements her as a popular TV personality. In addition Camilla is also an in demand MC/host public speaker who inspires other people to achieve their ambitions and shares her experiences.

Camilla’s signature colourful and handmade graphic prints take centre stage in each of her product ranges which are distributed in high-end boutiques and luxury department stores worldwide including Harvey Nichols (UK, Dubai and Riyadh), in stores across the US and Middle East/Asia as well as Camilla boutiques (Bondi, Mosman and Paddington) and online at www.camilla.com.au, with additional stores opening this year in Melbourne and Brisbane.

The captivating story of the Camilla brand doesn’t stop there and is extending to include children’s wear and accessories, as well as a much-anticipated home wares range.

In 2013, Camilla has taken on a new endeavour in design and teamed up with Designer Rugs to produce an exciting limited edition range of rugs.