$3000 kaftan maker Camilla gains liquor licence for its boutique at Harbour Town on Gold Coast

It made more than $130m selling kaftans for up to $3000 a pop last year, now this fashion label has unusual plans for the Gold Coast. Read more

Australian fashion house Camilla has nabbed a liquor licence for its recently redeveloped Harbour Town boutique.

Public records show the licence was granted on March 17 for a subsidiary to operate on the Biggera Waters outlet occupied by the label which has built an empire selling colourful kaftans at up to $3000 each.

Camilla head office did not respond to questions about the licence, but the brand has been rolling out “lobby bars” at boutiques in Perth and Sydney as well as at four of its stores in the United States.

The Hotel of Curiosity concept allows customers to sip champagne and enjoy the “charming old-world hotel aesthetic” while their luxury purchases are wrapped.

It’s just the latest shift in the business launched in 2004 by Sydney artist Camilla Franks, whose cult-like customer following appears to have allowed her to thrive in an economy which has left other fashion retailers threadbare.

The Camilla boutique at Harbour Town on the Gold Coast. Photo: Kathleen Skene

A volley of other Australian brands, including the Gold Coast’s Outland Denim, Jeanswest Dion Lee and Tigerlily, have all floundered financially in recent years.

There’s been no such hardship for Ms Franks, who takes two overseas trips each year to find inspiration for her designs.

According to Camilla’s latest financial report, lodged with ASIC, the company spent $2.1m on travel and accommodation in 2023-24.

Writing about the new boutique concept, Ms Franks said she “undertook an inspiration trip to spark my creativity”.

“We crafted an itinerary laden with the most inspiring architecture, boutiques, eateries, cafes, bars and buildings around the world,” she wrote.

“From London to Paris to Portugal, we visited museums, stores, train stations, galleries, restaurants, vintage markets and hotels, collecting ideas and design inspiration for everything from the storefront to carpet to lampshades.”

Fashion designer Camilla Franks. Picture: Tim Hunter.

The ideas came to fruition as Ms Franks and her team worked “over several days in a Welsh cottage”.

“What we created was 50 per cent hotel, 50 per cent cabinet of curiosities and 50 per cent boutique,” she wrote.

“And yes, I know, that adds up to 150 per cent – but I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

Whatever the percentage, the company’s maths are working – it reported consolidated revenue of $134.9m for a $4m net profit last financial year.

It had 378 employees and $97.7m in assets and paid its three shareholders a $2.7m dividend.

Originally published as $3000 kaftan maker Camilla gains liquor licence for its boutique at Harbour Town on Gold Coast