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Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 05/09/2007 – You may remember MaraJoara Designer Swimwear when they achieved international recognition for setting the trend for a healthy body image on the worlds’ catwalk at the closing show of Australian Fashion Week - just two days before Madrid Fashion Week took their stance on skinny models.
Today in Sydney, Managing Director and Australian Designer, Leesa Fogarty announced an aggresive global expansion plan for the MaraJoara Exclusives, MaraJoara Men and MaraJoara Meninas labels into the European Union.
MaraJoara now boasts being one of the fastest growing Aussie labels in Brazil, after the launch of their wholesale store in Ipanema, Brazil, last December. This entry into the Brazilian market served as the foundation to support their international white label business and wholesale operations. Fernando Stambowsky and his experienced team have white labeled for over thirty years for Bloomingdales, Victoria Secret, Marks and Spencer and Parfois.
MaraJoara pledge their aggressive move into Europe is motivated by customer demand from the worlds' fastest growing consumer markets including Russia and Bosnia. MaraJoara was given a celebrity welcome in Bosnia when they showcased last November as the VIP International Guest Designer at Sarajevo Fashion Week. France, Norway, Italy, Spain and Portugal have also illustrated strong demand.
MaraJoara were one of the many leading Australian Designers who decided against showcasing at Australian Fashion Week in Sydney last week. Instead they chose to pay tribute to their mentor, Head Speedo and Olympic Swimwear Designer of 29 years, Gloria Smythe and the Year of the Surf Lifesaver at the Miss World Australia Final Judging and Crowning Show. This Celebrity Gala Ball for Youth Off The Streets held at Star City ,gave high roller guests a sneak preview into their Transeasonal 06/07 and Spring/Summer 07/08 Collections and helped to raise $20,000 for the cause.
MaraJoara’s designers are also confident that the European markets will appreciate and value the way their people do business. MaraJoara boast charity, ethics, a healthy body image and their green initiatives as a major differentiator between their label and other Aussie labels.
"MaraJoara stamped on our latest rangebook - NOT MANUFACTURED IN CHINA" to prove our point about ethical manufacturing. We leverage over thirty years of manufacturing experience using trained Carioca seamstresses in Brazil who hand sew every high quality garment with love and care. We are boycotting the significant contributions to global warming caused by Chinese manufacturing and have even stamped our care labels with "Wash in 30 degress and air dry" to save energy. We have moved all merchandising materials and business cards to be made by recycled paper. Many of our European retailing partners are making similar stands," Leesa stated.
Leesa Fogarty appeared confident that a European push for the label is a step in the right direction.
MaraJoara (marajoara.com.au) are one of 60 Australian Designers invited to participate in the Australian Fashion Week UNICEF Designers United campaign. Their couture swimsuit inspired by the Great Barrier Reef cyan blue string is a sign of hope to supporting those children suffering with AIDS and is currently being auctioned on ebay for Madison/Shop 'til you Drop. Over the last year MaraJoara have helped to raise more than $3M with Miss World Australia for charities across the country.
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jeanmarie[.]bluepedal.com.au 
