Designer kaftan racks up miles and money for cancer cause

Karratha resident Sari Mort is the only WA recipient of Camilla’s Travelling Kaftan, which is part of a project raising money for an ovarian cancer charity.

The “ottoman viper” kaftan was donated by Australian designer Camilla Franks and has been travelling to women around the world since the start of the year.

Camilla’s Travelling Kaftan project co-ordinator Anne Smith said each recipient of the kaftan was required to make a donation to Ovarian Cancer Australia and take a photo of where they wore the garment.

“The kaftan is photographed in the location where the participants live,” she said. “The participants share their photos and stories.

“(They) often get the opportunity to hand the kaftan over to the next participant, thus building friendships along the kaftan’s journey.”

Ms Mort heard about the project through a Facebook group dedicated to Camilla Franks’ designs and jumped at the chance to get involved.

“I just loved the idea from the beginning,” she said.

“I am really grateful to be part of this wonderful project, enjoying all photos and stories (and) looking forward to hearing and seeing more.”

After losing a friend to ovarian cancer, Ms Mort was heartened to hear the funds raised were going to Ovarian Cancer Australia.

Ms Smith said the initiative started in Portugal with a fan of the label.

“She suggested that we could have one of the Australian designer Camilla Franks’ kaftans travelling to women around the world so that they could share their stories and photographs,” she said.

“(We) decided to use the opportunity to fundraise during the kaftan’s journey.”

The kaftan has already been to Portugal, India, south-east Queensland, the Whitsundays and Cairns and is now making its way from the Pilbara to South Australia.

The kaftan, which retails for between $400 and $600, will be raffled off at a fundraising event in Sydney when its journey ends at the start of next year.

Ms Smith said the project aimed to bring women from around the world together.

“(The) ottoman viper is more than a kaftan. This little bit of silk and crystal is bringing women from around the world together, sharing a common cause and building relationships and friendships along the way,” she said.

“It really is the silk thread that pulls us all together and gives us the gift of sisterhood.”

For more information head to the Camilla’s Travelling Kaftan Facebook page.