A love of fashion

My love of clothing, texture and style began at a very young age. I would accompany my mum to fashion parties as her little helper, while weekends were often spent with my Aunty Dorry learning to sew. I loved creating beautiful things and, for as long as I can remember, my answer to what I wanted to be was a fashion designer.

At 17, I opened my first fashion store in the Hunter Valley, followed by two children’s clothing stores. I have always had a passion for fashion and an entrepreneurial spirit, and I knew I wanted to build something of my own.

After a major change in my life in 2009, I decided it was time to follow that passion again. I launched my own fashion label, BLING CREATIONS, and opened a number of retail stores. My work took me to Bali twice a year to develop new collections, and over the following years I travelled extensively in search of beautiful fabrics, manufacturers and inspiration.

Then, in 2016, I discovered Italy.

Falling in love with Italy

I fell in love with the Italian way of life, the culture, the fabrics and, of course, the clothing. I knew I had found something special.

This inspired the launch of Donna Donna, with collections centred around beautiful Italian linens, silks and cottons. Over the years, I have built wonderful relationships with Italian manufacturers and fabric houses, working closely with them to bring my ideas to life for Australian women.

And believe me, I arrive with plenty of ideas! The hardest part is deciding which ones make the cut because I love them all.

Italian craftsmanship, made for Australian women

Italian linen is at the heart of Donna Donna. It is beautifully soft, breathable and becomes even more beautiful with wear and washing. Natural fibres are particularly suited to the Australian climate, making our clothing comfortable and easy to wear through our warm summers.

I also love the timeless nature of Italian fashion. These are pieces that can be worn season after season, styled in different ways and enjoyed for years to come.

For me, Donna Donna has always been about more than clothing. It is about helping women feel good in what they wear.

Whether it is a message from a customer telling us how much she loves her new piece, or a woman leaving one of our stores feeling confident and happy with her purchase, those moments are what make this work so rewarding.

That is, and always will be, the most rewarding part of my day.