Tattarang invests in luxury Australian fashion brand CAMILLA, as Nicola Forrest deepens the focus on backing female founders.

Tattarang today announced an investment in Camilla Australia Pty Ltd (CAMILLA), the iconic Australian fashion brand owned and creatively directed by Camilla Franks.

Known for its unique, innovative and intricate print designs that are instantly recognisable, the brand has now grown into a global group, sold across 65 countries.

The investment makes Tattarang a minority shareholder in the leading Australian fashion brand, which was launched by Camilla Franks in 2004.

Tattarang Director Nicola Forrest AO said she was excited to partner with CAMILLA, a company that is going from strength to strength.

“We are delighted to back Camilla Franks, an extraordinary entrepreneur leading a cutting-edge fashion brand doing amazing things in the creative space,” Mrs Forrest said.

Mrs Forrest said Tattarang would also focus on female founders at an earlier stage in their entrepreneurship journey and she aimed to assist more businesswomen to develop successful enterprises at the scale of CAMILLA.

“Camilla is a brilliant example of a passionate and committed entrepreneur who truly cares about her brand and her customers and has put Australian fashion on the global stage, as well as being a role model to other female founders,” she said.

Camilla Franks said that she was delighted to welcome Tattarang as an investor and partner in CAMILLA, marking the first investment partnership the business has made since it was founded 18 years ago.

“I’ve finally found the perfect partner to help us colour the world. Partnering with Nicola and the Tattarang family is the perfect brand fit for our future vision.

“Through purposeful storytelling, creative and conscious empowerment and shared values and dreams we can take the business to a wider world stage.

“Together, we can elevate women on a global scale, harnessing the amazing artistic talent Australia has to offer, and lead with passion. It brings me great joy and pride to announce I will be joining forces with Tattarang to grow and share this beautiful brand,” Camilla Franks said.

Nicola Forrest said she is actively working to level the playing field for female entrepreneurs and woman-led or founded businesses, with Tattarang allocating capital both directly and via early-stage female-focused funds.

“It’s time for change: I believe that equal is greater and that having gender as a focus will deliver results for both women and men,” Mrs Forrest said.

“This is good for business because there is a strong correlation between gender equality and organisational success across profitability, attraction and retention of best talent and business reputation.

“We will support the next generation of women entrepreneurs who are willing to take a risk and back their dreams — Australia needs more entrepreneurs like Camilla Franks,” she said.

CAMILLA has an unwavering commitment to facilitating an ethical supply chain for the business, rooted in the brand’s core values, long-term relationships and focus on high-quality workmanship.

The brand is proud to have partnered with factories that are defined by a high degree of skilled workers, that have grown alongside CAMILLA over its journey from a start-up business to the global print house it is today.