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I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kaftans anymore, Toto. Or Kansas for that matter. Rather, much-loved she-wizard of luxurious fantasy fashion, Camilla Franks, travelled much further than that to source inspiration for her eponymous label’s Autumn/Winter 2019 collection.
Called La Fleur Libertine, the range and its official campaign – shot by Georges Antoni and revealed for the first time exclusively here on GRAZIA.com.au – are a luscious celebration of the French culture, seduction and joie de vivre garnered by Franks on her travels through Paris, Avignon and the Cote D’azur.
A mixture of elite opulence and bohemian artisan spirit, the collection took form after she drew inspiration from an array of French experiences, from opulent historic homes, grand museums and lavish palaces, to flea markets, quaint public gardens and the high-glam beaches of St Tropez.
“France was a creative feast for inspiration,” says the designer, who welcomed her first child in 2018. “The French are extraordinary in transforming the everyday into pieces of art. Their food, architecture, interiors, streets and gardens are all bodies of artistic works.
“They have an energy for life which is sensual, passionate and unapologetic – and I wanted to reflect this through our collection,” Franks continues.
There are ornate maxi dresses and jacquard coats for formal occasions, cute playsuits, off-the-shoulder minis and boudoir-look shorts for party-time, tasselled kimonos inspired by cabaret dressing rooms, balloon-sleeved silk bombers. Even the elegant one-pieces swimsuits were inspired by sexy French corsets (although infinitely easier to wear).
Keeping to the brand’s signature aesthetic, the collection features a plethora of patterns and bright colour, but in a departure from the norm, there are also black-based pieces with gold detailing that are ideal as eveningwear.
There’s even a two-piece tunic top and flared pant combo in all-black – not a single gold thread or crystal to be seen; a mark of just how much the brand has evolved from its blinged-up beachwear days.
Indeed, the title of the collection hints best at her mood when she created it. According to the official collection notes, “A libertine is an extreme hedonist, a pleasure seeker; someone who placed value on physical delights and over-indulgent.” Of course, fleur translates to flower.
“Camilla’s La Fleur Libertine [personified] is a dream-like, poetic woman who is free to do as she pleases,” the poetic synopsis continues. “Long lunches, late nights, too much champagne, many lovers and an excess of luxurious objects.
“She is a woman of long nights and dazzling days.”
As a nod to the brand’s growing international popularity (Camilla Franks now has more than 500 international stockists) the collection will drop both ready-to-wear and resort items as the same time to allow for the difference in northern and southern hemisphere seasons.
You can shop the collection from Wednesday January 9, 2019 here.
EXCLUSIVE CAMPAIGN REVEAL: A TASTE OF ‘LA FLEUR LIBERTINE’ AW19
