Shona Joy Thatcher is an Australian fashion designer and owner of the label "Shona Joy".

Shona Joy Thatcher
Born
Melbourne, Australia
NationalityAustralian
OccupationFashion designer
OrganizationShona Joy
Children2

Early life

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Born in Melbourne,[1] Thatcher grew up loving to watch her mother get ready for an event or a party and having input into what she wore.[2] As a child Thatcher began collecting classic pieces at vintage stores and hunting for treasures at markets.[2] Her mother died when Thatcher was in her mid-twenties.[3] Thatcher studied a BA of textile design then worked as a Design Assistant at Australian brands "Charlie Brown" and later at "Marcs".[1]

Career

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In 2000, Thatcher began selling her hand painted designs at Spitalfields and Portobello markets in London[1] and then the iconic Bondi Beach and Paddington Markets.[4][5] Thatcher then designed a capsule collection of hand painted t-shirts for Belinda Seper's Corner Shop in Paddington and Christy Turlington bought them in every color.[2] After the success of her t-shirts, the first Shona Joy collection was sold into David Jones. At the time there was a team of two in the brand and had a mix of silks and cotton voiles and customised prints in easy, voluminous silhouettes. Thatcher realised she could have a successful career in fashion after the first collection had a 94% sell thru in the first week at David Jones.[2]

Still based in Sydney, Australia the Shona Joy label is led by Thatcher and grounded by a love of designing for real women.[4] The label has grown and now creates 5 ready-to-wear collections every year that are stocked internationally at leading stores from David Jones, Harrods,[6] Revolve and Intermix to Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales.[2] The Shona Joy brand quickly became a market leader in the bridesmaid space, with a focus on evening wear dresses.[2]

In 2021, Shona Joy presented at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week via a virtual experience led by panoramic images on the beaches of Green Island in Manyana, New South Wales near where Thatcher resides.[7]

Personal life

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Thatcher is married with two sons.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "An Industry Insight - Shona Joy". FBI Fashion College. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Carter, Felicity. "Spreading Joy For 20 Years — Australian Fashion Label Shona Joy Marks Anniversary". Forbes. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Mother's Day with Shona J Thatcher". Shona Joy International. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Our Story". Shona Joy International. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Shona Joy". Wedded Wonderland. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Shona Joy | Harrods UK". Harrods. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  7. ^ "AAFW: The Shona Joy Virtual Runway Was Sunny Escapism". Grazia. Retrieved 16 September 2021.