Karen Wilson came to Australia as a Malaysian IT student
studying computer science in Melbourne.
Today she is the owner of two of Brisbane's most innovative,
luxurious and well loved boutiques.
Yet, if it wasn't for a calamitous altercation after the birth
of her first child, Wilson may never have traded government IT
consultancy for garments and couture.
"We'd made the move to Queensland and I couldn't continue my
work with Myer up here (she had been involved with the retailer's
warehouse systems management in Melbourne) so I did some
consultancy work for the government for quite some time," she
said.
"Then, about four years ago, I snapped my Achilles tendon and my
husband had to look after me because I couldn't move.
"It was very frustrating and I didn't know what I could do,
which was when he suggested that - if I was serious about following
my passion for fashion - then this was it."
After her tendon healed, Wilson set off for Paris and Milan to
walk the streets and learn what she could from the peak of
international fashion design and retailing.
Deciding there was a niche market in Brisbane for fine lingerie,
Wilson returned home and set about establishing a space that
reflected the high quality and personal level of service unique to
Europe's upmarket stores.
In October 2005, Paddington welcomed Boudoir Chic to its
burgeoning collection of stylish boutiques.
"I started with just lingerie and learned as much as I could
about how to fit because I wanted to offer a full range of personal
services to the client. I wanted to make the experience as
comfortable and uniquely tailored as possible," Wilson said.
She soon built a loyal following of customers with a discerning
eye and expanded her offering to hosiery, shoes, jewellery,
nightdresses and camisoles before realising there was still room in
Brisbane for another high-end fashion venture.
Her clients would often complain about the difficulties they had
finding classic evening dresses locally, so Wilson flew back to the
continent, pounding the pavements again to research how she could
best deliver the right garments in the right way with the right
atmosphere.
And so The Little Black Dress Shop was born.
Situated downstairs from Boudoir Chic, The LBD Shop presents its
collection like art in a gallery and offers a highly personalised
service to clients.
Wilson persoanlly matches each garment to a customer, calling to
schedule a viewing only if she is certain the piece will suit.
"My idea is to fill the gaps in people's wardrobes rather than
just making a sale," Wilson said.
"If this dress shop was going to happen, it had to be different
and I believe that is what we've created."
Drawing on the couture salons of last century, Wilson's
decadently decorated space stocks an exclusive collection of
garments from the world's finest design houses and provides women
with an experience of the utmost luxury and style, akin to the
classic elegance of the little black dress itself.
"We can provide our clients with a variety of clothes and
classic shoes, vintage jewellery and hats," she said.
"It really is like a miniature department store, though our
approach is to make the experience a gradual process, providing our
client with all the things they desire over a long period of
time."
And what will she be wearing to the fashion festival's opening
night? "A little black dress of course!"
Katherine Feeney