The collaboration between Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Australian fashion designer Camilla Franks has been lauded by trade partners as a runway success. Wednesday night’s celebration in Sydney of Egypt’s rich culture and heritage has flooded social media, with attendees raving about the perfect affinity between the two brands.
Hosted by Alice Ager, Uniworld’s Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand, the event was graced by the presence of Ellen Bettridge, Uniworld’s global CEO [who confessed she was a victim of last Friday’s Microsoft global glitch, arriving in Sydney at the 11th hour].
Alongside the Uniworld global and local heads was Consul General of Egypt, Mr. Mohamed Khalil, and Camilla Franks herself.
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The exclusive gathering at Beta Events was attended by Uniworld’s top travel advisors from Australia and New Zealand, making it a significant occasion for the brand, with the venue awash with vibrant silk Camilla dresses of all styles, colours and cuts.
Camilla Franks, who sailed the Nile with Uniworld in 2022, has drawn inspiration from her journey to create her latest collection, ‘House of the Sun,’ heaping praise on Uniworld, saying her new collection is “my ode to Egypt”.
“I’m all about storytelling…so when I go to a country, I don’t like the normal tourist itinerary. I have to do something unexpected and that’s what I loved about my experience with Uniworld.”
“Uniworld had my objective at the forefront of every single twist and turn and that’s why the collection is what it is today. A most joyous, exciting and creative journey,” Franks told the audience of 200+ guests.
Consul General of Egypt, Mohamed Khalil, praised the Uniworld team for its “remarkable event” and applauded Camilla Franks for her ‘House of the Sun’ collection, inspired by Egypt’s history and culture.
“Camilla perfectly managed to absorb what she saw and what she learned about Egypt during her visit.”
Ellen Bettridge, Uniworld President and CEO used the platform to officially announce details of an extraordinary 50-day Rivers of the World itinerary in 2026 which will include commence aboard Uniworld’s latest super ship, S.S. Emilie. The 50-day voyage will celebrate Uniworld’s 50th anniversary, commencing in Brussels, Belgium, and conclude in Amman, Jordan, featuring Egypt, of course.
Bettridge also detailed exciting new programs ahead for Uniworld, including a women’s-only cruise, exclusive golfing packages in France, and music-themed river cruises along the Danube.
Ager noted that after a “wobble” in interest in Egypt and decline in sales for the destination in 2023, now “we see incredible stability in our bookings, and Egypt is back. Particularly for groups.” She said that in the past month alone, Uniworld had secured eight new group bookings.
“Egypt is trending for Aussie and Kiwi travellers,” Ager said, spotlighting the recent Rameses exhibition at the Australian Museum in Sydney that drew half-a-million visitors during its six-month season.
“We see Egypt featured more and more in the media… putting Egypt in a position of absolute aspiration and inspiration,” Ager said. That includes the newly released consumer-facing magazine, Signature Luxury Travel & Style [and LATTE‘s sister brand], which features Uniworld on the front cover and a four-page ‘Style on the Nile’ spread dedicated to the partnership between the luxury cruise line and Camilla.
Uniworld also revealed the winners of its Fashion Afloat Trade Incentive who had earlier in the day a pampering and a VIP shopping experience at the QVB Camilla boutique. Part of their prize was to win a Camilla gown to keep. The winners – notably half of which were from luxury retail agency Travel Associates – were:
- Meghan Wolf – Wolf & Turner Travel Associates, Victoria
- Simone Rosa – Travel Associates Victoria Point, Queensland
- Melanie Harlow – Schmitzer & James Travel Associates, ACT
- Christine McIlroy – Travel Inspirations, Victoria
- Gemma Smith – Claremont Cruise & Travel, Western Australia
CAMILLA’s ‘House of the Sun’ collection is available to shop online at au.camilla.com.
More photos from the soiree below.
