This article was originally published on Oct. 22, 2015 on E! Online

You might not be familiar with Camilla Franks just yet, but you definitely know her work.

As the director, designer and founder of Camilla, she's a self-made pioneer in the fashion biz. Her dreamy designs embody a wanderlust spirit, with each and every garment inspired by her travels across the globe. And with clothing so compelling, celebs can't keep their hands off her gorgeous designs.

Arguably her biggest fan, Beyoncé (almost) exclusively relies on Camilla as her resort wear design of choice—c'mon, those breezy caftans were practically made for Queen Bey. Vanessa Hudgens is also among the Australian designer's biggest fans, as is Olivia Palermo and dozens more A-list fashionistas.

We caught a glimpse of the designer's Sydney-based headquarters, and chatted with her about everything from her print-designing process to working with Beyoncé. So go ahead—read on to hear from Camilla herself!  

What was your first job? I started my first business when I was 17 and I still in school. It was an event company called Franks and Becks. Then, after I finished school, I worked for John Singleton Advertising, where I worked mostly with their TV production team. 

How did you get started in your career? After my first job, I transitioned from advertising to acting school, where I focused on being a theatre actress. The training really opened my mind and I immersed myself in acting, reading, writing and creating characters. I fell in love with creating my own costumes and felt really at home.  

What is a typical day like for you? I don't have many typical days; my schedule is always changing. I'm traveling tomorrow for three weeks to Tibet and China for our next inspiration trip, and then I'll end my trip in New York City.  I'll be away for nearly six weeks.

Regardless of where I am, I always start my day with morning mediation to center and clear my mind. When I'm home, I'll also walk my dogs, Beau and Gypsy. I then head into the design office to start my workday. Most of my day is spent working with the design team to develop our collections, plus I also have regular catch-ups with all departments within the business on upcoming projects. The day is often mixed in with some media appointments.

Tell us about your office décor. When did you last give your office a makeover? Our office's canvas is fresh, white and clean. I feel it is easier to work in a white space and let the clothes, prints and designs sing. We then layer the office with pieces found on my travels. We evolve our entrance and showroom each season with the new collection and its inspiration. Other decor changes occur as I find new pieces. We just added in two enormous Stone Catchers to our entrance and they feel like a blessing as we welcome you into the world of Camilla. We've also recently outgrown our current HQ space and are on the hunt for a new office. I can't wait to create something theatrical and wonderful there.

What's the best part about your job? My dream for the company is bigger than just fashion; it's creating goodness. It's about a full vision with heart. The plan is to rehabilitate women in third world countries, particularly in India, by providing them with strong skill-sets, education, purpose and a safe community. The other great thing about my job is my team. I have a big dream and to accomplish that you need an amazing team. Martin Luther King Jr. best described power as the ability to affect change; and I know, with this team, we can make magic happen. This is what makes me tick.

What was your reaction when you first saw Beyoncé wearing one of your pieces? I felt deeply honored. I regard Beyoncé as one of the most influential women of our time, and to have her wear my pieces is an absolute honor. For me, she is a creative wanderer and epitomizes the Camilla woman for us.

Do you ever chat directly with Beyoncé or her stylists? Which items does she usually pick out? Her stylists work directly with our team to make sure she has the Camilla pieces she loves each season. She has selected lots of different styles from kaftans, playsuits, tops, skirts and swim. 

Have you ever designed any custom pieces just for her? No—but I would love to.

Which other big-name celebrities have you worked with?  The label has been so blessed to have been worn by so many influential women, like Georgia May Jagger, Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, Vanessa Hudgens, Miranda Kerr, Sofía Vergara, Nicki Minaj, Alessandra Ambrosio and Olivia Palermo. Influencers such as Natasha Oakley, Rocky Barnes and the Sydney fashion blogger Shanina Shaik have worn Camilla as well. They are a testament to the Camilla spirit.

What is your design process? And what are your biggest sources of inspiration right now. Traveling is the primary source of my inspiration. The discovery of cultures fuels my creativity. Each Camilla design is infused with a story: the destination and the adventure.  I am also inspired by wonderful women and I design for all of them: mothers, daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters. We want women to look and feel beautiful no matter their age, size or culture. 

Do you design your own prints? Yes I do. Traveling is the primary source of my inspiration. The discovery of places and cultures fuels my creativity. I travel often—I travel far and wide. I get off the beaten path. It is not unusual for me to take 20,000 photos on an inspiration trip to inspire my exclusive print designs. They are a poetic collision of imagery and personal experiences and heart songs translated into the evocative and beautiful prints, designed to capture the essence of destinations, people and cultures.

Who are some of your career heroes?Steve Jobs: "Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful, that's what matters to me."

Also, I recently read Richard Branson's autobiography and was really inspired by his business acumen, his drive to take risks and his ability to accept that he won't always get it right! Failing and picking yourself back up and striving towards a new project is an incredibly powerful thing. I also share his vision about a business not being linear... A business should also be about vision, about heart and about the bigger picture.

What's the most daring career risk you've ever taken?Starting this label! It has challenged me to my absolute core being; professionally and personally. I don't do things by half measures, so everything that my team and I do—events, photo shoots, showings—are all full scale, which initially, for a start-up brand, was a huge risk, but I was determined to not take any baby steps! 

Originally published on Oct. 22, 2015 on E! Online

Raf Simons is parting ways with Christian Dior.

The Belgian-born designer is exiting the celeb-adored brand after a three and a half years as creative director, making the Oct. 2 flower-filled, ready-to-wear presentation at Paris Fashion Week his last Dior runway.

"It is after careful and long consideration that I have decided to leave my position as creative director of Christian Dior's women's collection," Simons said in a statement. "It is a decision based entirely and equally on my desire to focus on other interests in my life, including my own brand, and the passions that drive me outside my work. Christian Dior is an extraordinary company, and it has been an immense privilege to write a few pages of this magnificent book."

Simons, 47, has been lauded for upgrading Christian Dior's classic French aesthetic into an even more venerable appeal, adding subtle touches of modernity to the quintessential ladylike brand. Since coming onboard in April 2012, his gowns have been regulars on red carpets across the globe and held coveted spots on many a best dressed list.

His body of red carpet work includes Charlize Theron's stunning black mermaid gown from the 2013 Oscars, Marion Cotillard's perforated dress from this year's Academy Awards, Lupita Nyong'o's emerald BAFTA number and pretty much every item Jennifer Lawrence has worn since becoming a Dior darling. Oh, and those are just a handful of his many evening attire hits. Simons also counts Dior's newest celebrity spokesmodel, Rihanna, as a close pal, and has also crafted several show-stopping creations for the pop star.

Simons' decision to step down as creative director comes just weeks after Alexander Wang showed his last collection with fellow big-name French design house Balenciaga. And this all comes in the wake of many more designer shakeups, with Ralph Lauren leaving behind the post of CEO at his eponymous fashion empire (although he's not exactly abandoning the brand), and Donna Karan parting ways with her own label and (temporarily) suspending production earlier this year.  

While Simons may have only lent his talents to Dior for a few short years, his elegant red carpet designs (amongst many other design feats) have certainly solidified his legacy as part of the iconic label. 

This article originally appeared on E! Online

Confirmed: Even Carrie Underwood (like the rest of us mere mortals) gets jealous of Beyoncé's Grammys style!

"I can't help but always be envious in the best way of whatever Beyoncé is wearing," Carrie gushed exclusively to E! News. "What she wears on stage especially. Whatever she's going to have on stage is gonna make all of us feel like we need to go to the gym immediately!"

Well, it seems Carrie's again thinking exactly the same thing as the rest of us! The Almay ambassador (and face of the brand's latest Simply American campaign) has always maintained an impeccable figure, but in light of her pregnancy has admitted to missing her slimmer silhouette. And while Carrie—who's up for two Grammy nods this year—is eager to see the 2015 Grammy Awards red carpet, she'll be experiencing the show from a different seat this year.

"I wish I could go to the Grammys, but travel's kind of out for me at this point. It's tempting, but I can't fly that far away this late in my pregnancy," she admitted. "I'll be in my pajamas watching it from the comfort of my couch."

But hey, who's to say Carrie can't still be best-dressed perched in the comfort of her own home?

"You know, I should just get all dressed up anyways. I should get my hair and makeup done, and get a dress and watch it from my couch all dressed up like I'm there!" she joked.

And clearly, Carrie knows a thing or two about looking red carpet ready. The 31-year-old's radiant skin is undeniable, and she's never had a bad beauty day. As for the secrets behind her beauty routine? There's nothing complicated about it.

"Being able to work with Almay has definitely helped my beauty routine become simpler," Carrie said. "I've always been a fan of Almay, but now I use a lot of Almay products and that's just made my beauty routine less complicated."

This article originally appeared on April 19, 2019 VanuishMediaGroup.com

Is your company in need of a brand optimization? If you have to ask, then the answer is likely yes.

Often coined as a brand audit or brand assessment, a brand optimization is designed to survey the best aspects of your brand and identify areas for even more growth and improvement. In a vastly changing global market, it’s more important than ever for brands to maintain strong branding that defines your company and mission. With consistent brand optimizations, Apple would be just another tech company and Coca-Cola would just sell another soft drink.

In the simplest of terms, a brand optimization is like a yearly check-up at the doctor’s office. It’s designed to gain a thorough understanding of your brand’s current state, and identify areas for improvement. Making sure your brand is in line with your company’s mission is key. If the outside world can’t see your brand for all the features it provides, then you’re missing opportunities. Checking in from time to time to make adjustments could save you many an unnecessary headache, growing pains and immensely improve your business’ quality.

Like any living entity, your brand cycles through different phases. In order to keep it growing and on the right track, you should assess whether or not a brand is meeting its objectives in the given market, and that’s where a brand optimization is an invaluable tool.

When should you complete a brand optimization?

There is no exact timetable to determine how often to optimize your brand. The better strategy is to be vigilant about your brand’s overall health, always keeping in mind customer feedback, employee morale and the business’ growth. When feedback, morale and/or growth aren’t where you want them to be, it’s a good time to take a step back and assess.

If you’re looking to ramp up business, change your strategy or refresh your aesthetic, then a brand optimization is a must. Taking the time to assess the current strengths and weaknesses of your brand while evaluating where you want to go will only serve to strengthen positioning.  

A strong brand is the foundation upon which the business stands, which means it must always be firm and resolute. While a solid product or service remain the core of your business, few customers will take the time to explore your offering if there isn’t a confident and credible brand to back it. Knowing exactly what your company is and what it stands for is crucial, and having a brand that communicates that to prospective customers and clients will only propel success.

What objectives should my brand be hitting?

Good branding, like any great art form, seems effortless to the untrained eye. To those versed in branding and business, the subtle marketing brushstrokes are all perceptible and, fortunately, replicable for your business. While the exact criteria for a brand optimization could include any number of line items, these are the initial questions to ask:

• Does your brand establish who you are as a business?

• Does your brand highlight your strengths and specialties?

• Does your brand identify your place in the market?

If you feel like your logo, website, or any other facet of your brand is falling short, it’s time to optimize. There’s no reason your brand can’t be working hard for you at all times.

What can I do now to start optimizing my brand?

Simply making a resolution to optimize your brand is the first step, which means that if you’ve made this decision, you’re well on your way. Next, take into consideration the external face of your brand, or how the world (and prospective clients) perceive the company. A few of the following line items to consider are:

• Logo

• Website

• Marketing materials (brochures, email templates, etc.)

• Social media

• Email newsletter

• Merchandise

• Packaging

• Advertisements

• Brand videos

• Market Positioning

• Press

• Advertisements

Once you’ve compiled these materials, ask yourself the following questions:

• Would a consumer unfamiliar with the business understand exactly what you do?

• Does the branding support the company’s message?

• Is your brand helping you achieve your KPIs and objectives?

If you’re not certain how to answer these questions immediately, worry not. You can take our free brand optimization assessment, and a member of our team guide you as we identify the unique opportunities and areas of impact for your business.

Is a brand optimization worth it?

If your goal is to successfully nurture and grow your business (and let’s face it, it should be), then a brand optimization is always a worthwhile endeavor.  A brand audit merely identifies areas for growth and opportunities, and lays out a roadmap for future success. Implementing said road map can be the tricky part, but we’re here to help outline and deploy a strategy for your specific company that includes identifying areas of impact and optimizing your business for growth.

At Vanquish Media Group, we provide a complementary brand audit for all prospective clients and business. As a digital marketing agency that specializes in content and video market, we help identify the unique needs for your brand, and custom engineer a brand roadmap designed to elevate your business and set you up for success.  

There are numerous benefits to a brand optimization and subsequent rebranding work, too. Depending on your specific brand strategy, these can include:

• Improved customer experience

• Increased brand awareness and visibility

• Increased brand credibility

• Revitalized brand loyalty

• Improved employee morale

• New business and clients