RACHELLE ROE STUDIO by Anita Roe

Extraordinary Women

Spring has sprung in my beautiful hometown Toowoomba and whilst the regular activities of the annual Carnival of Flowers have been reduced due to the current COVID-19 climate our city still displays the most incredible gardens.

In this edition, I have chosen to feature two extraordinary women who are, in fact, sisters. I have known Bianca for seventeen years, and at the time, her sister Kate was only a child. To see them blossom into incredible women makes me proud.

Bianca is the mother of two beautiful, young children and is one of the most hardworking, patient and supporting women I know. Given unforeseen circumstances, these sisters are now each other’s rock. It is encouraging and heartfelt to see how their friendship and bond as sisters has grown over these years.

Over the years, Bianca has been an incredible support to me. I met her not long after my first marriage ended. Then throughout the turmoil of a rather toxic five-year relationship, she was my shoulder to cry on and the very one person who could always make me laugh and see the light in any situation. Moving forward, we were each other’s bridesmaids. A lot has happened in between all these years, but here we are still able to laugh, reminisce and accept what has been and hold hope for what the future may bring.

I was excited when Bianca reached out to me to model for this project. What made it even more special was including her sister Kate. There is definitely some magic when siblings or family are involved in photoshoots.

Bianca and Kate

Initially, I was going to feature various Toowoomba gardens, then changed my mind on the day. I wanted the girls to shine and be the feature, rather than the flowers. I didn’t want to lose them amongst the surrounding landscape, and I am so pleased that I made that choice.

I chose Picnic Point as our backdrop, which offers lush rainforest surroundings as well as dry grassy parkland.

The jewellery features some pieces from the studio archives as well as some new Spring designs to compliment the girl’s personality and flowing dresses.

Our make-up artists for the special day was Rachel, of Rachel’s Beauty in Toowoomba. An extremely versatile and talented make-up artist who presented two very unique styles for the girls.

What woman doesn’t like to be pampered with make-up and dress up on any given day?

To me, this was Bianca and Kate’s day, and I was blessed to be able to capture their beauty and personality.