11 Facts About Paula Stafford

Paula Stafford OAM was an Australian fashion designer credited with introducing the bikini to Australia.

Paula Stafford's styles became popular in Gold Coast and in Melbourne.

Paula Stafford began manufacturing operations with a machinist working in her attic, but later built a factory, and opened a shop, called the Tog Shop, and sold mail-order.

Paula Stafford sold her clothes to stores including British retailers Selfridges and Liberty of London, and in Australia Myers, Georges, Buckleys, and David Jones.

In 1993, Paula Stafford was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to the fashion industry.

Paula Stafford's work is on display at the Gold Coast Historical Society museum in Bundall, Queensland.

Paula Stafford was awarded Gold Coast City Council's "Legend Award" in 2012.

In 2010, Stafford's autobiography, Bikini: The Paula Stafford story, was published, co-written with Ali McGovern.

In 2013, Paula Stafford was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame.

Paula Stafford turned 100 on 10 June 2020 and died on 23 June 2022, aged 102, in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

The State Library of Queensland holds Paula Stafford's personal collection, Stafford was an impressive record keeper, with seemingly every new business venture, every new ad campaign, and every new swimsuit documented extensively.