There are two things Camilla Franks can do better than all others: kaftans and swinging, early morning soirees.
Despite the 7am kickoff, the Kaftan Queen hosted a right old knees-up to debut her African inspired Resort '17 collection on board the 45 metre Seadeck. Setting sail from Darling Harbour on the crisp, sunny Thursday morning, it brought guests right under the Harbour Bridge and up by the Opera House.
While the fashionistas on board couldn't get enough of the spectacular bonanza, complete with African dancers, drums and plenty of eye-catching prints, Camilla's prime focus were those in the bizness, aka The Buyers.
"I wanted to bring that spirit of Africa to life on the Sydney Harbour. I really wanted to take people off the beaten track," she said, speaking to Fairfax Media following the spectacular show.
"I have so many of my big buyers in town from overseas and what better place than to show them Sydney than this incredible harbour."
The designer, 40, reckons the endeavour was a success: "I feel spirited, I feel alive, I feel relieved and I feel proud of my tribe," she said.
It was a last minute decision by Camilla to host the lavish show and was planned with two weeks notice.
"I got phone calls from media when I was in Wales designing and they were saying, 'We are so excited for your show.' I was like, 'what show?' It was kind of a surprise to me.
The whole thing took two weeks to plan," she laughed. "But we make stuff happen."
Right now the global wanderer is enjoying living in the moment instead of planning her next big move.
"One step at a time, otherwise it gets a bit overwhelming but rolling out retail stores internationally is the next thing," she said.
He'll wear a dress if he wants to
While her printed, embellished gowns are loved by the likes of Beyonce, Oprah and Ronda Rousey, Camilla has a new male fan in Christian Wilkins, son of Nine's Richard Wilkins.
Dressed to kill in a maroon mini and a blue cape, the 21-year-old aspiring actor and presenter, who works in Nine's social media department said he was a tad nervous about sporting a dress at first but the reception (unlike the chilly morning on the harbour) was warm.
"I don't really care what other people think, it's how I feel. I was a bit nervous to begin with but now I'm here and everyone is in a cool vibe," he said, before adding: "I am also quite cold, it was 9 degrees this morning and I am wearing a piece of silk."
The sometimes blonde said he "loves" working with his father as they get to "go home together" so he can drive, explaining: "I'm still on my Ls".
He's "very single at the moment but on the market" and looking for the one, whether that be a male or female. He wouldn't use the word "bisexual", preferring not to put a label on it.
"I'm a believer in love. If I meet someone and I'm attracted to them both mentally, physically and emotionally, then I would just go for it," he told Fairfax Media.
No disrespectful flats
Also on top form, despite the early rise, was fashion stylist to the stars, Jules Sebastian.
The wife of singer and former Eurovision entrant, Guy Sebastian, said Camilla's collection is a stylist's dream: "When you think of Camilla, you think of kaftans but then she hits you with a structured blazer."
The mum of two, who had just jetted back into Sydney from a quick work trip to Melbourne and who also attended many of the Fashion Week shows, was looking forward to spending the rest of the day with her two sons, while her husband is in LA completing his eighth album.
"I can't wait to take the heels off, put the trackies on, tie my hair back and probably just jump on the trampoline with the kids," she laughed.
She's already thinking about what to wear to the Oscar de la Renta show on Friday night at Carriageworks. While many Fashion Week bunnies are skipping from show-to-show in chic white runner she warned the late legend's show is no place for dressy casual attire.
"No flats, you must respect the man that is Oscar de la Renta," she said.
