Giving Back on International Women’s Day
“This day has always been very close to my heart,” says CAMILLA Founder and Creative Director, Camilla Franks.
“Every year, in honour of International Women’s Day, we triple the CAMILLA brand’s donations through i=Change to our three women’s charities from $1 to $3 for every online order, for a three-to-four day period. Since the beginning, we’ve donated over $740,000 hand-in-hand with our beautiful customers.”
The theme of IWD in 2026 is Give To Gain. It is a global call to overcome gender inequality through support, collaboration and kindness. A brave, vital ambition and one that speaks to our soul. This year, from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th March, $3 from every online order will go to Women’s Community Shelters, The Hunger Project or The National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Our world of giving also includes partnering with Community Support Services, Share The Dignity and The Social Outfit.
“We want to recognise the countless, fearless women who continue to learn, love and survive, many in the face of adversity, and do whatever they can to make today, and tomorrow, better than yesterday.
“I hope all the women in our CAMILLA community have a moment to realise their power and potential. Let’s continue to lift each other up and create a harmonious universe where we celebrate and thrive on equality.”
- Founder and Creative Director, Camilla Franks.
Our Founder sat down with the team from The Hunger Project to talk about investing in women and giving to gain.
THP: What does investing in women mean to you, and how has this shaped your perspective on leadership?
Camilla Franks: I have always had a passion for investing in creativity, in women, in Australian talent. Taking the time and putting in the work to do something right. That flows through every element of my brand and my business. Every piece I create is an investment, a keepsake, a modern heirloom to be treasured, revisited, loved forever and passed down through generations.
I am so proud that CAMILLA is a fierce, fearless, female-founded, female-led business. I’ve made that a priority since the very beginning. But for me, investing in women means not only putting women in strong positions throughout my business, but also nurturing that strength, creativity, artistry and innovation. I’m a big believer in empowering aspiring creatives to unlock their full potential, to share their art and their stories and find their voices. And I’m proud to do that every single day!
We are a global collective of printmakers, storytellers, adventurers and artisans – which, almost unbelievably, is 20 years old now – and together we’ve had an incredible impact.
I’ve always designed to make people feel empowered and free, and that ethos has permeated the entire business. Now, I have a global team, and each of them carries that vision with them as a guide. Whether they work in design, marketing, digital or IT… they all invest the time and the creativity to truly innovate, to craft pieces that empower, stories that captivate and to foster a sense of possibility, and purpose.
Together, we’re paving the way for the next generation of young, beautiful, courageous women. Inspiring, uplifting and fortifying them to take control of their mission and design a world that they're proud to be part of.
THP: If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self as she was just starting out, what would it be – and how do you think she’d react?
Camilla Franks: I don’t think she’d listen, to be honest. She was very rebellious. But, if I could give her one piece of advice, it would be this: “Trust your instincts. Trust your intuition. Be brave. Be kind. Work hard. Laugh at every opportunity. Find the magic wherever you can. And inspire others to do the same.”
I’m proud to say, for the most part, I’ve done this throughout my journey.
She’d probably react by shushing me or rolling her eyes and saying: “Well, obviously.” And then she’d probably do the opposite. So, maybe it’s better I don’t give her any advice at all!
I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved. In fact, the best advice I could give my younger self would be: “You’re doing great kiddo. Well done. Keep it up.”
THP: What’s your go-to pump-up song when you need to feel unstoppable?
Camilla Franks: Unpopular opinion: pump-up music is overrated. Does meditation music count? Because when I need to feel unstoppable, my go-to state is peace, gratitude, compassion and presence. That’s what I need to feel balanced, alive and truly centred in power, passion and my purpose.
My favourite track is O, I Love You by Essie Jain, which is on the Sage Cacao Playlist by the beautiful Frankie Moore.
