REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Thursday, April 30, 2009

GOLD Coast bikini chic showed off to the world with designer Leah Madden’s financial plunge to take part in Rosemount Australian Fashion Week already paying off.

Despite the troubled economic climate, Ms Madden paid the $6500 fee to participate in the group swim show at the annual Sydney event, which had already netted her $20,000 in orders from buyers attending.

With more appointments and individual showings booked in for WhiteSands, it was little wonder Ms Madden was all smiles as she waved at the invited guests and delegates after the parade at the RAFW precinct in Circular Quay.

“We’ve had buyers from Byron and the Coast to Adelaide and Western Australia which is great, and we have interest from David Jones who are looking at the range tomorrow so that’s very exciting for us,” said Ms Madden, who was also a busy mother to Scarlet, 18 months, Oliver, 4, and Portia, 15.

”They don’t look at that many labels, so to have something come to fruition with David Jones would be a dream come true,” she said.

The Isle of Capri designer was still riding high from the rave reviews she received over her launch of the same range at Swim Fashion Week, held at Sanctuary Cove and hosted by IMG Fashion which runs both international-standard events.

”Plus we have also had buyers voice their interest from London and America.

“I am firmly of the belief that if you are a designer you have to go to fashion week – there’s no doubt about it,” said Ms Madden.