Wendi Leigh Designs celebrated its fourth birthday with a fashion parade in the Auburn Street fashion studio this month.
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It was described as a chance to show off the latest collection in wedding attire for guests and mothers of a bridal party.
But it was also noted the with the Spring Racing Carnival just around the corner many of the outfits would look great at events such as a Melbourne Cup luncheon.
Some of the women present were also thinking about functions such as the Illawarra Women in Business Ian Thorpe lunch on Friday, IRT Neverland Ball on September 9 and Illawarra Business Awards on October 21 just around the corner it was a chance for Wendi Leigh to showcase her new season fashion.
“I have now been in business for four years with Wendi Leigh Designs and this is a re-launch because I have moved on. The business has been growing organically and because of that I have been able to feel my way through the years,” she said.
Ms Leigh said she had been on a journey with a very niche business that was challenging at times but she has enjoyed every single day of it because it is her passion.
Ms Leigh recalled how she had been in fashion in one way or another all her life. That included another business called Wendi Leigh Designs she ran in Sydney in the 80’s.
She said when she moved to Wollongong to do art at uni she didn’t think she would end back up in fashion.
But now she gets to combine both passions with the many bird designs appearing on her garments.
“This is my calling I suppose. And for this reason tonight is special because it has taken me into an area that I have been a little apprehensive to go to. To do mother of the bride event wear has taken me out of my comfort zone. But I am a risk taker so I decided to embrace it and see where it takes me. And it is really taking me on a fast track at the moment,” she said.
Ms Leigh said as a result she was faced with the good problem of having to try and keep up with the growth.
So she has been reinventing the business and her latest collection designs that were suitable for event wear.
“I want to showcase what I can do and give women ideas and inspiration,” she said.
As part of the re-launch Ms Leigh showed of her re-branding done with the help of Suzanne Haddon of Wollongong business called Rooland. “I love to paint birds and magpies are very special to me. Suzanne took my magpie feather and she made it into this beautiful light logo that is light and airy like so much fabric. To me that just summed my business all up. I just think it is perfect what she did”.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
