Snap Happy – Gold Coasters snapped with celebrities

Best DRESSED

Lily Goodare

Winning Magic Millions Fashions of the Field was such a thrill for me. While I do love dressing up and fashion, I originally moved to the Gold Coast from New Zealand four years ago when I turned 18 to study for my commercial pilot’s licence. After I received my citizenship - by descent through my mother - I was able to get a student loan and start as a private pilot. I now have two more CPL examinations and around 80 more flying hours to go. Once I complete my last two exams I can then sit my private licence then work further towards my CPL licence.

My other great love is my sustainable swimwear and active wear label Lunaa Swim. During Covid I took a bit of a break from my flying and focused on my brand, as I was uncertain of the future of flying. It was a dream come true to be able to work on my brand I had started at the age of 16, with hopes of having it made locally and with sustainable fabric.

With Lunaa Swim I decided to create limited product drops to minimise waste and over consumption. Creating quality over quantity is my mantra and products that last without colour damage and loss of elasticity/fit. The biggest lesson that I have learnt is to never give up, there were so many times where I thought, ‘Why am I still trying, what am I doing that is not working?’ I never went to business school, I simply learnt everything myself and everyone that I met I would question their successes and failures so that I could take it on board for my own business. I’ve learnt how to create a website, photograph and video products, edit videos, work with influencers, learn about Facebook and Instagram ads, find a manufacturer that is reliable and local, design my own logo and so much more. There’s always something new to learn each day, and more ways of improving. The more I’m learning, the better my brand is improving and I get a better understanding of running a small business.

I also competed in Miss Universe Australia last year, as I wanted to become a voice for younger people to start speaking up about my past experiences. From that I was asked to become an ambassador and voice for the Stand By U Foundation which supports domestic violence victims in Australia. I was able to promote the importance of feeling safe and speaking up about DV situations. The SBU Foundation have created safety devices to assist adults and children living with DV. Miss Universe Australia helped me to gain more confidence in myself so that I could help others, I ended up placing in the top 12 for which I am really grateful. I made some amazing friends along the way, including one of my closest friends, Thelma Rodriguez. She inspires me so much and taught us to wear our smile with pride, to believe in ourselves and be confident in our own skin.

HAT: NEIL GRIGG

DRESS: ZIMMERMANN

HEELS: LANA WILKINSON

HANDBAG: ORIGIN CLUTCH