Meet Donna the Founder of Donna Donna.

Welcome to the very exciting new place to get your news, styling tips, the story of Donna Donna and so much more. This beautiful platform we have created is designed to bring you in to our story. A story that has been in the making for many years now. Many of you have been loyal customers of Donna Donna Clothing for about a decade! Others are new customers and we welcome you all and thank you for supporting our family owned business.

In these first few weeks we wanted to introduce you to the team. Starting with, of course, the lovely Donna. Donna has worked incredibly hard over the last decade to bring Donna Donna the label into existence. Through the ups and downs of a divorce, the busy life of being a mum of four children, and now a global pandemic right after the opening of the Kotara Westfields store. Donna has stayed resilient, inspired and focused.

This week I spoke to Donna about her journey to get to where she is now with five successful stores and the launch of her new online store!

Penelope: Donna how did you get into being a clothing designer and business woman?

Donna: I have had a love for clothing from a very young age.

I started going along with my mother to fashion parties in people’s houses, I was mum’s little helper and was hooked. My weekends were spent with my Aunty learning how to sew. I soon brought my own sewing machine with the money I made from mum’s party plan.

Penelope: Did you have a clear idea on what you wanted to be when you grew up at that point?

Donna: When I was asked what I wanted to be when I was older my reply was always a fashion designer, landscaper or a builder.

Penelope: That's really special that you wanted to be a builder!

Donna: I loved the idea of creating beautiful things but I didn’t think I would be taken seriously as a builder at that time! So when I was 17 I opened my first fashion store in The Hunter Valley which was closely followed by the opening of two children’s wear stores. Penelope: 17 is a really early start into the world of business! Donna: Yes! I was always full of dreams for the future. Penelope: Were these stores a success? How did you go from creating these stores to the evolution of Donna Donna?

In 2009 I found myself divorced with 4 children and made the best decision of my life, “To do what I always wanted to do!”

This decision saw me launch the fashion label BLING CREATIONS and the opening of my bricks and mortar stores. My passion for this work took me to Bali twice a year to put together fabulous ranges. Over the next 5 years I travelled to many different countries to chase my dream of manufacturing, but in 2016 I fell in love with Italy and knew this was where I needed to be. I fell in love with the way of life, the culture and of course their clothing. This lead me to launch my DONNA DONNA label comprising of mostly silks, linens and cottons.

Penelope: Thank you so much Donna for sharing your story with me. I am so happy you have created this beautiful business for all women to enjoy.

Donna Donna is for you. Classic Italian style, made with you in mind. Made with love.