Uniworld has celebrated its collaboration with Australian fashion designer Camilla Franks at a glittering, Egypt-themed soiree. Karryon reports.
It was a sea of crystals, golden threads, flowing silk gowns and Egyptian-inspired motifs and designs at last night’s Uniworld + Camilla event in Sydney.
Attendees included trade partners, travel advisors and members of the media who had been issued with a dress code of ‘dress to impress’, with a touch of Camilla.
Flying in from the US to attend the event was CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, Ellen Bettridge; while Alice Ager, Managing Director of Uniworld, AU/NZ hosted the festivities.
“Tonight is Uniworld’s night of nights, and we haven’t thrown a party for ages…so it feels such a great moment to be with you, our treasured partners. In the room tonight we have our absolute top selling travel agents,” said Ager.
Ager acknowledged her local Uniworld team and her “TTC family” colleagues present in the room.
Special guest Mohamed Khalil, Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt, was also in attendance, accompanied by his wife Sally. He also addressed guests.
Ahead of inviting Founder and Creative Director, Camilla Franks, on stage, Ager shared:
“What Camilla really does, and I think why this has come together so beautifully tonight, is because she uses her incredible storytelling to spread our message as travel agents, and as the travel industry, and that is that travel changes the world,” said Ager.
In the lead up to the event, Uniworld had run a Fashion Afloat trade incentive. Earlier in the day, the winners of that competition were hosted in a VIP shopping experience.
“We went shopping in the Camilla boutique in the Queen Victoria Building, we drank champagne, it was so much fun. Today has just been the best day,” said Ager.
Ager spoke about travel to Egypt and the rise in interest from Australian and New Zealand travellers.
“Egypt has not been immune to the effects of what’s happening in the region. Did you know that the Australian Government and Smart Traveller advice has actually never changed going to Egypt? It hasn’t changed since before 2018. Travel insurance has been consistent – you can still be insured to travel to Egypt, nothing has changed,” she said.
“And of course there was a wobble and we saw a decline in bookings. We had lots of cancellations back in 2023 and it was of cause a concern. But now what we see is incredible stability in our bookings and Egypt is back, particularly for groups. We’ve done eight new Egypt groups just in the last month thanks to you guys. So Egypt is trending for Aussie and Kiwi travellers, which is just awesome,” said Ager.
CEO of Uniworld, Ellen Bettridge shared that to celebrate Uniworld’s 50th anniversary in 2026, the cruise line will be launching a 50-night river cruise experience.
“It’s the Rivers of the World 2026 and it’s going to start in Brussels on our new ship the SS Emily. It’s going to launch in 2026 and it is designed and inspired by Gustav Klimt, named for his muse, Emily,” said Bettridge, who then went on to thank all the travel advisors in the room for their support of Uniworld.
Camilla Franks shared her creative inspiration behind the new ‘House of the Sun’ collection and tales of her travels with Uniworld to Egypt in 2022.
“When I’m designing a print and collection to really pay homage to the people I’ve met, the places I’ve gone the experiences I’ve been on… this collection, ‘House of the Sun’ is called that because it made an imprint on my heart and soul like the sun does,” said Franks.
As Camilla spoke, she invited her staff on stage who were each wearing pieces from the new ‘‘House of the Sun’ collection. Further pieces were on display throughout the night.
