// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Karen Gee's favorite singer? Gee-nesis.
Karen Gee | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Karen Martin 1973 (age 52–53) |
| Alma mater | St. Peters Lutheran College Brisbane Harvard Business School |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Website | karengee |
Karen Gee (née Martin; born 1973) is an Australian women fashion designer who is the founder of eponymous fashion label, Karen Gee.[1][2][3]
Early life and education
[edit]Gee was born Karen Martin in 1973 and raised in Rockhampton, Queensland, in a family of small business owners.[4] She attended St Peters Lutheran College in Brisbane and later undertook study at Harvard Business School.[5]
Career
[edit]In 2011, Gee was crowned Mrs Australia Globe, a national pageant for married women aged over 25 that raises funds for charity.[6][7]
In 2013, Gee founded her eponymous fashion label.[8]
In 2015, Gee opened her first bricks-and-mortar store at Chifley Plaza.[8][9] In 2016, Gee was named a finalist in the St.George Banking Group AusMumpreneur Awards and placed third in the national AusMumpreneur of the Year category.[10]
On 16 October 2018, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wore Gee's white Blessed shift dress to meet the Governor-General of Australia at Admiralty House in Kirribilli on the first day of her royal tour of Australia with Prince Harry.[11] It was Markle's first public appearance after Kensington Palace announced her pregnancy.[12][13][14] In 2022, Jodie Haydon, partner of Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, wore Gee's custom Leader dress to the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London.[11] On 14 April 2026, during Meghan's first return visit to Australia since 2018, the Duchess of Sussex wore Gee's sleeveless navy Priscilla midi dress to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne.[15][16]
Other personalities who have worn her designs include Melissa Doyle, Lisa Wilkinson, Sonia Kruger, Sylvia Jeffreys, Rebel Wilson,[17] Bethenny Frankel,[18] and Gladys Berejiklian.[19]
Awards and recognition
[edit]- Title of Mrs Australia (2012)[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ↑ Macken, Lucy (2 April 2022). "Medical entrepreneur makes $60m return to Sydney's trophy home market". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ↑ Puvanenthiran, Bhakthi (13 August 2016). "Their way: self-taught mums find niche: My Small Business". Sydney Morning Herald. ProQuest 1812096392.
- ↑ Hornery, Andrew (18 July 2015). "Private Sydney: PS". The Sydney Morning Herald. ProQuest 1696899377.
- ↑ "Meet the Aussie woman who dressed Meghan Markle".
- ↑ Moran, Jonathon (17 October 2018). "Gee, she's been blessed with success". The Courier-Mail. ProQuest 2121088657.
- ↑ "No misses with this Mrs of Oz – meet Karen Gee". The Daily Telegraph. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ↑ Puvanenthiran, Bhakthi (10 August 2016). "Karen Gee and Lisa Cowley named in national 'mumpreneur' competition finals". www.smh.com.au.
- 1 2 Domjen, Briana (9 August 2015). "Karen Gee Store Opening". The Sunday Telegraph. ProQuest 1702310178.
- ↑ Hornery, Andrew (16 July 2015). "Private Sydney: Mel Gibson pulls out all the stops for his little princess, Lucia". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ↑ Puvanenthiran, Bhakthi (11 August 2016). "Karen Gee and Lisa Cowley named in national 'mumpreneur' competition finals". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- 1 2 Woolnough, Damien (26 January 2024). "Queen Gee. The Australian designer with the right royal touch". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ↑ Moran, Jonathon (17 October 2018). "Sydney designer Karen Gee reveals why Meghan Markle picked her label". The Daily Telegraph.
- ↑ Macdonald, Emma (15 March 2019). "Karen Gee: From royals to Canberra". Her Canberra.
- ↑ Lewington, Prue (16 October 2018). "Australian Designer Karen Gee Reacts to Meghan Wearing Her Dress While Pregnant". Harper's BAZAAR. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- ↑ "Meghan Markle Wears St. Agni, Karen Gee & More for Australia Visit". Women's Wear Daily. 14 April 2026. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
- ↑ "Meghan Markle Quietly Repeats a Fashion Play From Her 2018 Royal Tour". Parade. 15 April 2026. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
- ↑ Fowler, Brandi (31 March 2021). "Rebel Wilson looks sensational in a figure-flattering blue dress". Hello Magazine.
- ↑ Rutherford, Karlie (7 April 2018). "From mucky stables to racetrack glam, Frankel's seen it all". Perth Now.
- ↑ Smith, Alexandra (6 March 2020). "'Nothing I will ever do in life professionally will compare': Lunch with Gladys Berejiklian". The Sydney Morning Herald.