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Prue ActonAustralian fashion designer
Country:
 Australia |
Content:
- Biography of Pru Acton
- Entrepreneurial Success
- Expansion into Cosmetics and Journalism
- International Recognition
- Artistic Pursuits and Later Life
Biography of Pru Acton
Early Life and EducationPru Acton was born in 1943 in the small town of Benalla, Victoria, Australia. She attended Firbank Anglican Girls' Grammar School in Melbourne and later enrolled in the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), where she graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. While initially studying fine arts, Acton quickly developed a passion for fashion in the early 60s and gained recognition as one of Australia's leading designers.
Entrepreneurial Success
In 1963, at the age of 19, Acton opened her own fashion design and production business on Flinders Lane in Melbourne. With the support of her successful entrepreneurial parents, Acton's business flourished, and she created around 350 sketches per year, selling approximately 1000 dresses per week in 80 locations across Australia and New Zealand.
Expansion into Cosmetics and Journalism
As her fashion business achieved undeniable success, Acton expanded her ventures by launching her own cosmetics line. This was a pioneering move, as most cosmetics available in Australia at that time were imported from the United States. Additionally, in 1967, Acton began writing a fashion column for the newly established weekly music magazine 'Go-Set.'
International Recognition
The breakthrough in Acton's career came in October 1967 when she became the first Australian female designer to showcase her own clothing line in New York City. Unbeknownst to her at the time, Acton had achieved remarkable success in the United States, with her brand being the top choice among youth brands for three years in the American market. By 1982, Acton's clothing sales worldwide reached $11 million, with her designs being sold in Australia, Japan, the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.
Artistic Pursuits and Later Life
Despite her immense success in the fashion industry, Acton never gave up on her passion for painting. In the 1980s, she returned to her first love and began studying art under the guidance of renowned Australian artist Clifton Pugh. Acton also attended drawing classes at Swinburne College. Since 1989, she has held numerous group and solo exhibitions throughout Australia. Acton continues to design custom garments and conduct clothing design seminars. In 2005, her portrait was featured on an Australian postage stamp. She was previously married to fashion designer Mike Treloar and currently resides in the rural countryside of Victoria with Mervyn Moriarty, the founder of the Brisbane Institute of Art.
