Career pivots are never accidental.
Each step of my professional journey - from corporate buyer to real estate agent, interior designer, art gallerist, and now fashion entrepreneur - has been a building block that shaped my approach to business, creativity, and community.
Today, through IT’S A FAD. (and our evolving rebrand to Sara Leonardi), I bring those experiences together in a label that reflects what I believe in: quality, connection, and creativity with purpose.
The Corporate Beginning: My “Real MBA”
After completing my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Management, I worked as a buyer for a Fortune 500 multinational car company. Managing multi-million dollar purchasing and profitability wasn’t glamorous, but it gave me what I call my “real MBA.” It taught me global business discipline that still underpins every creative decision I make.
Real Estate in Miami: Style Meets High-Pressure Business
Through my Sacred Heart alumni network, I landed in South Florida real estate at the height of Miami Beach development in the early 2000s. I worked alongside elite sales teams, high-profile clients, and fast-moving development projects across South Beach, Brickell, and beyond.
Real estate showed me the power of style and storytelling. Just as homes are staged to project identity, fashion works the same way. An outfit tells the world who you are before you speak.
Interior Design & Global Influence
My move to Prague introduced me to media and lifestyle publishing, and later in Cape Town I pursued a degree in Interior Design. Designing was never only about beauty. It was about functionality, understanding consumer behaviour, and creating spaces that work as businesses.
Those lessons echo in my work today. Just as a home should tell a story, so too should a wardrobe. Layering, texture, and heritage - hallmarks of my interior design days - are now signatures of my collections.
MCLEMOI GALLERY: The Business of Art
Art has always been close to my heart. While working in real estate, I was introduced to Art Basel and began collecting. That passion grew into MCLEMOI GALLERY in Sydney, where we introduced international blue-chip artists to Australia.
We were named one of the top 15 new galleries globally and featured in the Louis Vuitton Sydney City Guide. Running the gallery was like a second master’s degree in sales, marketing, PR, and entrepreneurship. I learned to know every facet of my business—from curating the works to sweeping the floors.
The Birth of IT’S A FAD.
After stepping back to focus on family and welcoming my daughter, I began experimenting with tie-dye at home. What started as a creative outlet became a business when I took my first pieces to the Bondi Markets, a launchpad for brands like Zimmermann and Camilla.
The response was immediate and energising. Customers loved the colour, quality, and originality. That validation gave me the confidence to scale - working with artisans in India and building IT’S A FAD. into a label with limited-edition, slow fashion collections.
Today, we are evolving into Sara Leonardi - a natural progression that reflects our growth while staying true to our essence: wearable art, effortless style, and meaningful connections.
Fashion Philosophy: Wearable, Colourful, Effortless
- Natural fabrics only: cotton, linen, modal
- Effortless care: 99% of pieces are machine-washable
- Smart design: pockets, belts, versatility
- Day-to-night appeal: travel-friendly and timeless
I don’t design anything I wouldn’t wear myself. Every piece reflects my love of colour theory, eclectic layering, and a rejection of beige culture. I want clothes that spark joy, tell stories, and empower women to feel like themselves - whether they’re in Sydney, Noosa, Paris, or Mallorca.
Women Supporting Women: A Non-Negotiable
At IT’S A FAD. one of my greatest passions is supporting women creatives. Every designer in our boutique is a woman - from Nadia Dafri to YASSS and CVH - and our family of women designers continues to grow.
True support means investing in women, not just talking about it. Collaborating with women who share my values, creativity, and drive has made the journey rewarding and energising.
Noosa: The Perfect Backdrop
Though my journey started with Bondi and Sydney pop-ups, it’s in Noosa where the brand truly found its home.
Noosa is balance: the calm of the hinterland, the vibrancy of the coast, and the cosmopolitan flair of Hastings Street. More importantly, it’s a community of connection - diverse, supportive, and collaborative. It’s the perfect backdrop for a label built on creativity and meaningful relationships.
Legacy, Purpose, and What’s Next
Every collaboration I pursue - from In Noosa Magazine to Tutu Du Monde - is about genuine connection, not transactions. And while fashion is my professional passion, my true legacy begins with my children. I want them to see resilience, purpose, and creativity in action.
The journey from real estate to runway wasn’t linear, but it was intentional. Every step brought me closer to where I am today: creating a brand that’s more than clothes - it’s a philosophy of living boldly, colourfully, and with connection.
Featured: Orangina Floral Short, Balloon Sleeve Panel Dress. Read the full article online here.
As seen in In Noosa Magazine
Photographer: Ian Waldie @ianwaldiephotography
Shoot Manager: Ali Smith @graphicalidesign
HMUA: Craig & Lara Argent @pony_beauty_bar_noosa
Model: Emma Tomlinson @_emma_tomlinson_
Assistants: Kiki Argent @pony_beauty_bar_noosa
Location: Alsahwa Estate (@alsahwaestate)
Explore the online feature: In Noosa Magazine – Spring Fashion 2025