Page 23 - Port Douglas Magazine 38

fashion.

“Of cOurse, clOthing fashiOns
have always been impractical,
except in tahiti”

- JACQUES BARZUN
FRENCh AmERiCAN hiStoRiAN

WORDS by Rosie Wang

Port Douglas is a place that has, over time, attracted many boutique (also offering alterations) in Mosman on Sydney’s North
creative ‘moths’ to its tropical flame. Artists, fashion designers Shore. So, with the help of their mother and grandmother, the
and musicians have found inspiration and a supportive and sisters decided to create their own swimwear range. Patterns and
appreciative community to flourish in. cuts were devised and created and the beginning of Tahitian Lime
This has rung true for sisters, Brooke and Prue Needham, who was seeded.
arrived six years ago. Their fashion label and retail outlet, Tahitian Creating the patterns was one thing, but finding a manufacturer
Lime, is now going from strength to strength. With its signature was another. They were particular that Tahitian Lime was to be
bright colours, floaty clothes and vibrant swimwear, many locals, a quality and ethical brand. Despite wanting to manufacture in
visitors and celebrities are now wearing and loving their label. Australia their search took them to Indonesia, where the desired
With such a tropical name you’d think that Brooke and Prue quality of lycra could be sourced. Production was not only cheaper
were natives of these Far North Queensland shores. Their story but also ethically produced, which was an important part of their
contrastingly starts at Sydney’s northern beaches where they grew decision process.
up. After visiting a number of manufacturers, they knew they had
The girls were always swimming in the water or on their family found the right one. On entering the office, the owner was seated
boat, sailing the Sydney harbours, so the lure of the ocean was behind his desk surrounded by dogs and cats that he had adopted,
always with them. When their mother moved to Cairns in the early and they also could stock the quality lycra they stipulated. The
90’s the girls discovered the beauty of the area and the lifestyle. Prue workplace boasted full air-conditioning, all the staff seemed happy
worked as a zookeeper in Kuranda Gardens and Brooke worked as and had been with the company for a long time, and they were well
a travel agent in Sydney and in Cairns. paid. So, ticking many of their ethical boxes.
Both sisters were close and the tendrils of love and sisterhood were It was during their visits to Indonesia that they found out about
weaving thoughts into their subconscious dreaming that someday Act 4 Bali Dogs - an organisation to help stray dogs. From this they
they would work together. decided to pay something back to the country, and now 10% of all
Chance discussions with girlfriends bemoaning their frustration profits go towards this canine cause.
at trying to find swimwear to fit, planted the seed of a marketing By this time both sisters had now made the move with their families
opportunity, to create quality swimwear that could be made to to Cairns’ northern beaches. A beachside rented cottage in Trinity
address the great diversity of the female form. Beach was initially used as Tahitian Lime’s HQ. This was used as a
Both had inherited their grandmother and mother’s love of fashion. distribution and storage centre, photo studio and office. The brand
continued to grow through social media and word of mouth.
Their grandmother, well into her 90’s, was a fashion icon and ran a