“The good thing is, my swimwear is all locally made on the Gold Coast so I can turn them around in five days. But I’ve also had heaps of interest in the ice-cream range and they won’t be out until mid-September at least, so I will have to make more to meet that demand as well.”
Another designer getting ready for the summer swimwear boom, Lee Mason from Queensland Swimwear Company, says the brand has “seen a surge of interest online through our website and Facebook.”
Established labels Easton Pearson, Tengdahl, Pia du Pradal and Maiocchi are also seeing a significant boost in interest translating directly into sales.
“It’s been so busy — it’s probably been the busiest week of the year,” said Julie Tengdahl.
Pia du Pradal has enjoyed a rush of retail attention not only since the Fashion Festival began, but since she dressed Adele Frost for the 2012 Icon Shot. “I am absolutely delighted — our clients loved the show. They’ve come straight in and they’re buying,” Pia said. “The tangerine Pia du Pradal dress in the MBFF hero shot has proved very popular with a younger clientele, so we are attracting new clients as well as our existing ones.”
Easton Pearson, always a fashion favourite, have had a flood of enquiries following their brand show on Tuesday night and the showcase of their diffusion line, EP by Easton Pearson, on Wednesday. “We’ve had lots of calls and interest in the new summer collection on the back of our two MBFF shows. It’s been great — the shop has been really busy,” said a spokesperson for the label.
“The response already has been fantastic — our city store has been really busy,” agrees Deanne Maiocchi. “We have had clients coming in and asking for dresses and complete looks straight off the runway.”
With such an incredible consumer response already under way and two more shows scheduled for tonight, the fashion retail boom that Queensland is enjoying is sure to get even better.
Head to www.mbff.com.au for exclusive runway footage and images following the shows.
