Bundaberg’s style icons of 2023 revealed
From elegant and graceful to modern and eclectic, Bundaberg style gurus explain what their own unique sense of style means to them. SEE THE LIST
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They are some of the region’s most prominent style icons of 2023.
They embrace not just catwalk fashions, but their own personal sense of creative expression.
From the gothic aesthetic to more subtle tones, these are Bundaberg’s style gurus who make a choice to express themselves through what they wear every day.
Read what their unique sense of style means to them.
Susan Shaw – fashion designer / boutique owner
Susan Shaw first opened her Bargara boutique in 1990, and has been creating amazing designs since.
What’s the latest fashion? What colour is in? It doesn’t matter to Ms Shaw.
“I do love style though,” she says.
“Style comes in knowing and having the confidence to wear what suits you… it’s an attitude really.
“For me… style is about following the body contours or shaping to highlight or accentuate the advantages.”
Ms Shaw — who runs her boutique Italian Wholesalers Direct Store on Whalley St — loves making use of existing items to create something new and chic.
“I play and experiment using recycled and repurposed fabrics – could have been quilts, doona covers or sheets or beautifully hand-embroidered tablecloths,” she said.
“We live in a world that needs to recycle and reuse more and more.
“I started the year of Woodstock, 1969, when I would dye my father’s shirts and put lace around the collar and cuffs or cut his button fly cricket pants down into hipsters.
“In times past, there was a lot more attention to detail and finish and I love to work to incorporate this.”
Samantha Sergiacomi – Bundaberg Broadcasters account manager
“For me, fashion is the clothes, but style is how you wear them,” Bundaberg icon Samantha Sergiacomi says.
“Style to me means you can express yourself without even saying a word.”
Ms Sergiacomi’s unique style is unapologetically confident.
“I’ve always gravitated towards bold prints, bright pinks, sequins or glitter paired with some over-the-top sunglasses or pair of shoes,” she said.
“I just wear whatever makes me happy and I think that is the best style secret!”
Fletcher Allport – barber
For Bundaberg barber Fletcher Allport, style is about colour, joy and celebrating the good things in life.
“I’d say my style choices are generally bold, colourful and happy,” he said.
“My philosophy for style is that the more colours and the more patterns you add together the more fun you’ll have.
“It’s an outward way to express your creativity and personality to the world.”
Mr Allport shuns the dull in life.
“There’s no joy for me in a beige lifestyle so majority of what I source, whether it be made for me or items that I find all have patterns and bold colours,” he said.
“The more patterns you have the better I say.
“One of my lovely friends is a whiz with the sewing machine, Mel Bayntun (Insta: @hippieandlee), she has an awesome eye for design and she has created a few of my favourite pieces, most of which are overalls, a staple and must for everyone!”
Mr Allport’s ultimate advice is to just be yourself.
“From personal experience there’s always going to be someone who tells you what to wear and how to look, but it’s definitely easier to just be yourself and to have a style that brings you joy,” he said.
“You have to rock it, own it and be yourself.”
Peita Parsons – Golly Gumdrops designer
Spending her time on creativity and design to help support her family is what appealed to Bundaberg business owner Peita Parsons.
With business Golly Gumdrops, the local mum creates stunning, unique and colourful earrings and jewellery to keep the people of Bundaberg looking their stylish best.
Michaela George – Australian Idol contestant, musician, uni student
Ms George is a Bundaberg local who now calls Melbourne home as she studies a Bachelor of Education.
She rose to fame in the most recent series of Australian Idol where she showed off her singing talent.
“Mostly music inspires me, but also anime, video games, and all things whimsical, magical, or beautifully spooky,” she said of her sense of style.
“The ‘90s inspires my clothes, I love layering. I like bold black lines and pops of color.”
Ms George said she loved the experience of going on Australian Idol.
“I enjoyed watching the rest of the season, I've just been working hard with uni, and trying to make music where I can,” she said.
Julie Appo – fashion designer / boutique owner
Aged in her 70s, Julie Appo is living her fashion dreams with her Bargara boutique, The Beach Dresser.
She has already held her own fashion show in Bundaberg.
Ms Appo came out of retirement to open her boutique after noticing an empty shop front and deciding to spring to action.
Ms Appo is a shining example of the courage of the human spirit, having battled poverty and disadvantage as an indigenous woman.
“In one way, I wish I had the opportunities (then) that are available now and the acceptability of Aboriginal art as a very cultural but very unique art form,” she told the ABC in 2021.
“In another way, because I didn’t achieve (my goal) immediately, I think I can appreciate the hard work every artist has to put in; that journey is very, very important.
“I think you appreciate things more when they don't come so easily to you.”
Cynthia Hoogstraten – JP / celebrant
From modelling in the 1970s and teaching deportment, Cynthia Hoogstraten has spent much of her life around style.
“My style changes with the occasion and my lifestyle,” she says.
“I wear a few hats. I arrived to preside over a funeral recently in Brisbane and the wife remembered me in my boho style, but for a moment she didn’t recognise me as I was wearing a classic navy blue suit, which I wear at many of my funerals.
“If there is a requested colour theme or style for a celebration of life, I aim to blend in.”
For relaxing, Ms Hoogstraten values splashes of colour.
“At home, I am really content in a sarong as I love my beach lifestyle,” she said.
“At the same time, I still love my textiles and colour. My wardrobe is a real mix of styles and I opt for natural fibres and comfort.
“I love my op shop finds, as I limit my budget on clothes.”
Sarah Marschke — model, singer, Australian Survivor contestant, CEO, former Miss World Australia
Bundaberg born and bred Sarah Marschke believes style is all about being yourself, encouraging other women to express themselves and loving what feels comfortable.
She is currently travelling around the country as a judge for Miss World Australia, in addition to the many other hats she wears including being a former Survivor contestant and CEO of her own disability support service.
Ms Marschke now calls Sydney home and is often attending big events, but says one thing people should never compromise on is their sense of individuality.
“I feel like my fashion has definitely evolved as I’ve got older and experienced things,” she said.
The former winner of Miss World Australia said the best part of fashion was creating your own sense of what worked.
“You can be so creative, you can be 100 per cent you,” she said.
“I literally wear anything that makes me feel comfortable and just overall happy.”
Ms Marschke loves colours and bold shapes, as well as teaming cold hues together.
Attending big events in the big city can bring pressure, but Ms Marschke says she does not give in.
“I’ve never succumbed to that pressure, because if I feel comfortable and confident in what I’m wearing I’m going to feel amazing no matter what” she said.
The singer encourages people to take on everything from feathers to “ginormous shoulder pads”.
“There’s no point going to an event if you’re underdressed,” she said.
Ms Marschke said there was also a little talked about stigma suffered by tall women, and that was the unwritten rule to never wear heels.
“As a tall girl, I wear the tallest heels no matter what,” she said.
“We get told we’re too intimidating, that’s why I always make sure I’m wearing the tallest heels in the room.”
Ms Marschke said there was a tendency for people to comment rudely on a woman’s height, but she wanted all that to change.
“Comment on my fashion sense, not my appearance,” she said.
“If your partner’s telling you not to wear heels, he’s not the right partner.
And if you’re a short girl and want to wear flats, do it!”
In her capacity as a Miss World Australia judge, her passion is boosting confidence.
“I love it, I love seeing society grow,” she said.
“I go around gassing all those women up.
“Dress how you want – being unique is what’s going to get you that crown.”
Brooke and Chern’ee Sutton — modern indigenous artists
Artist sisters Brooke and Chern’ee Sutton live and breathe style, whether it’s what they paint and design or choose to wear.
The dynamic duo have contributed to sharing their unique sense of artistic style with those far and wide, from Bundaberg to beyond.
Brooke‘s beautifully stylish designs have featured on teacup sets in famous chain T2, while Chern’ee’s artworks have adorned footy blazers and medical scrubs.
Chern’ee’s works have even made it to famous fashion and lifestyle mag Marie Claire.
Melissa Bayntun — paramedic / fashion designer and Darin World, jewellery designer
Fashion lover Melissa Bayntun is currently fascinated by making hats, having even made one for her “grandoggy” Miss Madira.
The Bundaberg paramedic can often be seen attending events with jewellery designer partner Darin World, often with the two of them in matching attire.
“Fashion and style is a way to communicate who you are or what you stand for,” she said.
“It doesn’t have to make sense, you just need to be yourself and be comfortable in your own skin.”
Chloe Johnson — designer label founder
The founder of fashion business Willow and Hide, Chloe Johnson lives and loves style.
“I’m the kind of friend that always asks ‘what are you wearing’ and starts planning an outfit well in advance,” she says.
“I wouldn’t say that I fit into a particular style mould.
“I love to wear so many different styles and being able to play around with them without feeling the the constraints of one style.
“Colour is always incorporated in one way or another and you’ll never not see me without a bright pink lip.”
Leesa Atkinson and Sabrina Shead — floral artists and business owners
Leesa Atkinson and Sabrina Shead are the mother-daughter duo behind Bella Infinity Blossoms.
The Bundabeg pair are lovers of style, something they incorporate into their business which designs beautiful lasting faux flower arrangements.
Leesa siad they started out in their studio at Coral Cove in early 2021 making “beautiful, realistic artificial flower arrangements for homes and gifts”.
“We also found ourselves receiving requests to design flower arrangements for weddings, funerals and parties,” she said.
“Hand making all our designs, (we) prides ourselves on sourcing all our flowers and greenery for the most realistic-looking appearance.”
Katlynn Bradder — business manager, Lady Kastel Kollective founder
Maker of “earrings and pretty things”, Katlynn Bradder loves to dress to impress.
“My sense of style is all about having fun with colours, patterns and accessories,” she says.
“I enjoy matching my clothing and accessories to the occasion, while also reflecting my personality, style and mood.”
Kyle Schneider — Bundaberg’s most famous drag queen Karda-Nay
Kyle Schneider starred once already in our most stylish list of 2019, and made headlines once again last year when he was not just featured in Bundaberg’s most successful under-30s, but then again as the people’s choice winner.
Often known by his alter-ego, the fabulous Karda-Nay, Mr Schneider loves it all — from wigs to designer gowns.
“I’m so proud to be from Bundaberg and am having an absolute ball and hope to see more people coming to the drag events and supporting local artists,” he said.
Bec McPherson — artist
“Having a sense of style is such an important part of your identity as an individual,” Bundaberg artist Bec McPherson says.
“People thrive when they can express themselves.
“Personally, I see style as a way of introducing yourself without the need of words. I have the power to choose how I wish to be presented to the world.”
It’s a gothic aesthetic that Ms McPherson feels fits her style.
“I have always found myself in love with things on the darker side of what society deems beautiful – rainy days, old moss-covered cemeteries,” she said.
“My senior formal photos were actually taken in our local cemeteries.
“I was convinced I was a vampire when I was six years old.
“My favorite childhood book being Dracula's Daughter by Mary Hoffman. Later followed by RL Stine’s Goosebumps collection (which I am a proud collector of).”
It’s a vibe that Ms McPherson incorporates in every aspect of her life.
“My space is dawned in coffin-shaped decor, oddities and art,” she said.
“My sculptures are an extension of my love for the haunting and eerie.
“I guess I fit in the subculture of ‘gothic’. Although my favourite way I’ve been described as, is morbid.”
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