WORDS BY JOSEPH FURNESS
You heard it here first: when we (finally) escape the claws of COVID-19, maximalism will prevail. Thrilled to be reunited with people, leisure and normalcy, we will abandon our ecru, camel and oatmeal outfits — along with our ring lights and banana bread recipes — in favour of big, bold, beautiful prints.
Spearheading the maximalist movement will be the obvious (Italian) names such as Donatella Versace, Alessandro Michele and Francesco Risso, but we also expect to see unstoppable Australian designer Camilla Franks rise to the frontline.
The cool, calm and collected creative is behind print-centric label CAMILLA, which has maintained a cult following since 2004. Franks uses her Bondi-based brand — which she calls ‘a celebration of vibrant colour, intricate prints and storytelling’ — as a space to channel her inspirations; she is driven by a plethora of influences, including her childhood memories, her passion for travel and her family.
We spoke to the designer to discuss everything from the effects of climate change to her latest collection, which is more striking, dazzling and daring than ever.
Hi Camilla, thanks for speaking with us. We love the new collection here at FARFETCH.
Firstly, we’d love to know which pieces from your new collection are you wearing the most?
I'm so lucky that I get to be a chameleon and change my colours every day. You may find me in the romantic pirate punk leopard blouse with the matching ruffle skirt one day, then our slouchy midnight pearl drape trouser with an embellished tee the next. And with all that’s happened this year with COVID-19, lounging has turned into an art form as everything is focused on the luxury of comfort. I guess you could say we’ve all become more grounded.
[For this collection] we’ve brought back and reimagined a few of our most popular prints — including Mother Xanadu, Jaguar, Dancing in the Dark, Talitha and Rainbow Gathering — giving them new life in comfy, cosy, slouchy silhouettes. Cool hoodies, jersey pants and super-comfy tees offer lounge looks with attitude.
Your label is all about extravagant patterns. Why should we all welcome bold patterns into our wardrobes?
There’s a real beauty and confidence that comes with expressing yourself. I love the artistry of mixing it up as much as I love the power of a total look. Think of the sexy playfulness of leopard print paired with an exquisite floral print and a touch of lace, then build on it. Layer on matching or clashing separates, like a cape, a kimono, a fun bomber jacket or one of our ultra-soft patterned knits. Just be creative, be brave and let the magic happen.
We’ve always encouraged our customers to revel in their own identity and connect with the adventures that are embedded in the prints. It’s all about letting your soul dance in a print that speaks to you, be it a dramatic floral, a wild animal-inspired print or something whimsical and romantic.
For your latest collection, you’ve paired your patterns with movie inspirations. Can you talk us through this concept?
In the making of our Resort 2020 collection, called The Starlet, we had a ball escaping through the silver screen to different places and eras. This came at a time when travel was not possible.
Like a great movie, each piece tells a story and leaves you wanting more. We found inspiration from a wide spectrum of films throughout history. It was divine taking time to sit and immerse in these films to then create prints and designs inspired by them — it was the ultimate armchair experience.
My design team and I started by asking ourselves what our favourite films were; the type that stayed with us long after the credits rolled. We looked into everything, including the narrative, the costumes, the locations, and even the musical score and cast. The entire collection captures the enigmatic beauty of cinema and tells their stories through high-voltage glamour. It encapsulates so many different personalities within the featured prints.
Your bohemian style transcends seasons. In terms of sustainability, why do you think it’s important to invest in pieces that can be worn again and again?
Mother Nature is not happy with us right now. This year, she sent us straight to our rooms to have a long hard think and to stop and reflect on how we can do things better. This has encouraged us to become more grounded; more thoughtful.
We need to think about who we truly want to be, and what our legacy will be. We need to think about what we want, and how we can create a more idyllic future. This is a beautiful opportunity for us. It’s our moment to shine.
We're going to be more selective and careful with our purchasing habits. Carefully crafted as a piece of art, each CAMILLA piece is designed to be a part of your world long enough to hand down to future generations. I believe (and hope) people will be moving away from fast fashion to investment pieces that can last a lifetime. We need to become much more thoughtful about our consumption and start to reflect our values through our purchasing behaviours.
In the past, you have donated to Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef. What does this organisation mean to you?
Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef are making magic and fighting so hard to protect our precious jewel. They have all these amazing projects that are designed to create awareness, to educate our community and to make a big impact in slowing down the reef’s destruction.
When I was little, we would go snorkelling in the reef on school holidays and I would scuba dive to uncover the underwater gardens. No matter how many times I ducked my head under, I remember being in complete awe of the beauty. It was always so otherworldly and beautiful.
In April of 2018, I returned to the reef, this time off the coast of Port Douglas. I had read and heard of the devastating effects that climate change and coral bleaching had caused upon the reef. It wasn’t until my head was underwater that I understood the full effect. It was a shock.
Since 2016, this 2,300 kilometre-long marvel has suffered two significant episodes of coral bleaching — a global epidemic triggered by climate change. An unnaturally hot water temperature is destroying the reef’s colourful algae, starving coral of its colour, life and beauty. The devastating result has left the reef to become desolate, bleached and skeletal. For me, it felt like it was an underwater graveyard. My childhood memories from the reef were challenged as I floated above a reef lacking vibrancy and, most importantly, fish. Albeit, there were glimmers of colour, which to me felt like a metaphor for hope.
Upon returning to the boat and heading back to land, I knew that a new chapter for CAMILLA was about to commence. A chapter that celebrates the beauty of this sacred underwater jewel, and one that aims to educate and protect what’s left of it too.
In an alarming climate where we are beginning to well and truly face the devastating impacts of global warming, pollution, reef bleaching and coal mining, Australia needs us more than ever before. We are as much a part of her as she is of us. She is our giver of life; she is who we are.
You have a passion for travelling. How have your experiences across the world influenced your style?
I'm a wild-spirited, bohemian woman who considers travel my muse. The depth of inspiration from my wanderings is boundless. The eclectic nature of my designs come from so many places, people and experiences. We immerse ourselves in worlds where we don't often speak the same tongue but connect through the language of textile, colour, food and sound. My prints become a diary of my travels, communicating the essence of far-flung destinations, communities and culture. The collections are always a poetic collision of imagery and experiences.
How do your collections tell the story of your Australian upbringing and your life in Sydney?
We Australian designers are so lucky to live on this big, beautiful land unlike any other. We are blessed with crashing coastlines, luscious tropical forests, iconic bushlands, colourful reefs, sweeping beaches and of course, the big red heart of our land, the mighty Uluru. I have the freedom to experiment and design for our unique lifestyles. Compared to the rest of the world, Aussie style is a little more relaxed; it’s a little more fun, a little more effortless.
In 2019, to celebrate my 15 years in fashion, I became a student in my own backyard and dedicated my collection to Australia. Called MOTHER, it was inspired by memories from my childhood and postcards from long summers spent playing in the sun. It was a poetic dialogue of Australia’s diverse nature, the land’s unique people, flora, fauna, and everything in-between.
How have the Welsh/British roots of your fiancé, artist and musician JP Jones, influenced your menswear designs?
Well, much like JP, the CAMILLA man is generous in his expression, he loves openly and passionately. He has the soul of an artist that commands the interest of those around him.
Often an enigma, his curious and playful nature attracts people who find his company delightful. He is expressive, confident, charming, frivolous, mischievous and exceptional. And as for his British roots, we have something big to commemorate his heritage coming soon!
How has your daughter, Luna Gypsy, inspired your creativity?
There's a saying that when a child is born, the mother is born. I’ve got to say, it’s so true. Being a mother to our beautiful Luna has unlocked so much love, so many emotions and unparalleled happiness. She’s my little sidekick — the ultimate mini-me. Of course, she inspires my creativity and she’s my muse and my magic. And, like any mother, I love to dress her up. I also love having her star in our shoots. She’s a part of everything I do.
Luna is two years old now and I’ve loved every minute of watching her develop into her own unique, fiercely cheeky little character. It’s been such a joy. She’s funny, curious and she knows exactly what she wants and when she wants it. She’s a mixture of JP and me; she definitely has our creative genes. My inner child gets to run more free and wild than ever before, and Luna gives me a purpose way greater than I could ever have imagined.