ELEGANCE and good quality is at the heart of Glenda Campione's shop, Sensara. Sensara is the distillation of her lifetime fascination with fabrics, design, colour and style. Glenda's mother was a dressmaker and she said from a very young age they would shop together, studying garments for fabric quality, weight and drape as well as how they were constructed, looking at stitching as well as design.
Glenda would sketch dresses and the pair would scour Melbourne warehouses for fabrics to use in her designs, which her mother would then make up. It was the perfect apprenticeship for Glenda's third career. But it took a drastic life change to set that career in motion. When the former English teacher and lecturer arrived in Coffs Harbour from Adelaide she was in recovery and at low ebb in her life. A marriage break-up had meant the end of her second career, in family tourist accommodation. The Coffs Coast was to prove a healing place, surrounding her with friends and providing her with a perfect business opportunity. She bought a small retail outlet from a local wholesaler and learned a completely new side of fashion, as well as the worldwide business and retailing of garments. Eventually she took the opportunity to put her own stamp on her business and Sensara was born at the Promenade. Opening her new store, Sensara Coffs Central has given her the opportunity to bring new brands to Coffs Harbour, which offer leading edge design and beautiful fabrics. The shop stocks Australian designed and made labels including Mela Purdie and Sandra Soulos as well as European labels, including Kokomarina and Mouse Ji. Other labels include Sancerre, Metalicus and Try Luxe jeans, which are new to Australia. "I like garments that are edgy but attractive," Glenda said. She is also stocking a small range of modal fashion basics, like leggings, tanks, camis and ¾ sleeve tops, ideal for layering. "I call it playing dress-ups." Glenda said helping customers to find exactly what they wanted and what suited their body shape and colouring was a very rewarding part of her job. "A lot of women know exactly what they want and what works for them, but a lot also appreciate a bit of input," she said. She is eagerly awaiting the arrival of more European brands plus some "really beautiful" knitwear in a merino and cashmere blend. Away from her busy work life, Glenda loves cooking and getting into her garden, which she is gradually replanting with organic vegetables and herbs. Although her painting room has been overrun with new stock for her shops, she has kept her dedicated yoga room. A keen traveller, she tries to escape to Bali once a year to continue her yoga practice with international teachers. Sensara at Coffs Central is open seven days and can be contacted by phone on 6652 3557.
