MAKING IT BIG IN FASHION
ANGELA Rose used to make clothing for herself and friends and family – she didn’t dare dream her work would grace the catwalks of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival.
The Gold Coast designer’s Platinum Plus was the only plus-size label to feature at the event in August and it’s been a key springboard to growth in sales which allowed her to quit her job as practice manager at a medical surgery and design full-time.
Ms Rose’s Autumn collection is already under way and she’s locked in shows at RAW Brisbane next month and Ultimate Women’s Weekend Lifestyle and Wellbeing Expo in 2018.
The idea sprung from what sounds like a simple principle, but was harder in practice: that all women deserve to feel beautiful.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do – being plus-sized myself, I got frustrated with what was available,” Ms Rose said. “I wanted to give plussized women an option compared to black and blue clothing – ugly clothing is what I call it.
“Six years ago I started considering it, and I did a fashion business course about starting your own fashion line.
“I decided to do it this year after life got turned on its head.”
Ms Rose’s father passed away and her marriage ended. The losses proved the catalyst she needed to stop thinking and start doing and her first collection was born.
“It just seemed like a good time in my life to do it,” she said.
“My previous job had given me skills that have been vital – business experience and financial maturity.”
Steering away from conventional plus-sized lines, which look to minimise the wearer, Ms Rose’s designs use bright prints, daring cuts and flattering drapes.
Her discovery of the vibrantly-printed cotton Ankara fabric was a bold breakthrough for her style and gets bonus points for comfort. The versatile material is a signature of her Spring/Summer line.
Ms Rose aims to make women feel fabulous and display their own personalities through the way they dress – from the boardroom to the bar and everywhere in between.
Since her first showing of the Spring/Summer collection, online sales have grown from a few pieces a week up to 100 per day – growth she hopes will continue until she scores a spot in a major department store.
“It’s been a really crazy couple of months,” she said.
“When I first started I was working full-time, then coming home and putting in long nights – it’s that pure dedication you have to have as a start-up.
“There are a lot of hours, particularly if you don’t have a heap of money or someone backing you financially. There were lots of sleepless nights.”
The work to date has paid off – but it’s not over yet.
“It’s nice to work to your own schedule,” Ms Rose said. “The end goal is I’d like to get into a big department store.”
The collection, which includes dresses, skirts, tops, shorts and pants, is available in sizes 14-28 – and in smaller sizes by request.