Top international fashion chain Camilla tipped to open in NZ next year

Camilla founder Camilla Franks (centre). Photo / Supplied

Top Bohemian-style Australian-headquartered international design boutique chain Camilla, worn by Richie McCaw's wife Gemma Flynn, is tipped to open its first New Zealand store next year but nothing official has yet been confirmed.

Sources close to Scentre Group's Westfield Newmarket redevelopment at 277 Broadway and 309 Broadway say the glamorous clothing line's retail offering is the first big-name Australian retailer planning to make a splash here by opening its first New Zealand store at the redeveloped and vastly expanded Newmarket site.

The Herald has sent an inquiry to Camilla but no response has so far been received. Scentre said today it could not confirm any new retails just yet.

No official announcements have been made about Camilla's plans for New Zealand but the source said there was a leasing agreement being negotiated and it was a big coup for Scentre Group's leasing programme and yet another big drawcard to the property, due to open later next year.

Camilla garments sell for hundreds of dollars each. Photo / Supplied

The redeveloped Newmarket property is due to open in next year's fourth quarter, offering hundreds of shops, a vastly expanded 2800 car parks, restaurants, bars, multiplex cinema and Countdown supermarket.

The source said many other major Australian brands would follow Camilla.

The site is where Auckland's first David Jones will open and where nearly $800 million is being spent to create what Scentre expects to be the country's most upmarket lifestyle, entertainment and retail hub.

Camilla's Australian site says it has 19 boutiques in that country alone, a major online business, "works with an impressive list of Australian and International stockists and has plans to expand further globally".

Camilla sells signature print kaftans, dresses, tops, pants, shorts, skirts, jackets, swimwear and playsuits. Photo / Supplied

The Herald reported last year how after their wedding, McCaw wore shorts while Flynn wore a Bohemian-style Love Weave playsuit by Australian designer Camilla Franks from Mount Maunganui boutique Sisters and Co.

Earlier this year, Australian fashion designer and Camilla founder Camilla Franks was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is known for creating high-end bohemian-style kaftans and in January this year, had her first baby girl, Luna Gypsy, with her fiance, Welsh musician JP Jones.

Camilla garments sell for hundreds of dollars each, a New Zealand fashion industry source said. They are bespoke items with hand-applied jewels, he said and are aimed at the wealthy end of the market.

The business sells signature print kaftans, dresses, tops, pants, shorts, skirts, jackets, swimwear and playsuits.