We were lucky to catch up with Fiona Shaw recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Fiona , thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

“My mission is to empower individuals to embrace their beauty, confidence, and uniqueness. Through my expertise in sewing and alterations, I strive to create perfectly fitted garments that make my clients feel elegant and radiant on their special days. As a model and dancer, I celebrate self-expression, strength, and self-love, inspiring others to find empowerment in their own journeys. Drawing from my experiences as a mother, grandmother, and survivor, I dedicate myself to fostering confidence and resilience in everything I create and share.”

Here’s the expanded story behind your mission:

I was born and raised in the vibrant landscapes of Australia, my early years were marked by a love for sewing. It was in those moments—crafting garments with care and precision—that I discovered the transformative power of creativity. Sewing became more than a skill; it became a way to express myself and bring joy to others.

In 2018, I embarked on a new chapter, moving to America to embrace new opportunities and experiences. Here, my talents as a seamstress flourished, and my work continued to empower clients by making them feel elegant and beautiful during their most cherished moments.

But my story is also one of resilience. Having endured and overcome physical and verbal abuse, I emerged stronger, choosing to transform those experiences into a source of empowerment. Im a mother and grandmother, channeling my strength into nurturing and inspiring my family.

My artistic journey took another significant turn when I stepped into the world of modeling. Gracing the covers of over 30 international magazines, I celebrated my unique style, from boudoir to gothic, pin-up, and alternate fashion. These experiences became more than just achievements; they became declarations of self-expression, strength and confidence.

Adding dance to my repertoire allowed me to embody movement, grace, and empowerment. Modeling and dancing became extensions of my mission to inspire others to embrace their individuality and self-worth.

My mission is deeply rooted in this journey—one of creativity, resilience, and self-love. It reflects my desire to transform not just garments, but lives, helping others feel strong, beautiful, and confident in their own skin.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born and raised in Australia, where my love for sewing began at an early age, thanks to my mother, who taught me the craft. Over the years, I honed my skills, pursued formal education in sewing, and worked as a seamstress creating everything from costumes to swimwear. My passion for bringing ideas to life through fabric fueled my journey, and I eventually moved to the United States in 2018 to build a new chapter in my life and career.

In America, I established my own business specializing in alterations and custom creations for women’s proms, weddings, and formalwear. I take great pride in helping clients feel elegant and confident on some of the most important days of their lives. My services extend beyond individual clients—I’ve also created show choir and theater costumes, taught young girls how to sew, and contributed to community initiatives like earning sewing badges for Girl Scout troops. My goal has always been to bring beauty, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment to others through my craft.

Beyond sewing, I found a new path in modeling, a journey that transformed my life. Since starting, I’ve had the honor of gracing the covers of over 30 international magazines. My focus is on alternate, gothic, fashion, boudoir, and pin-up modeling. This career has allowed me to channel my self-expression, celebrate empowerment, and promote body positivity and self-love. Modeling was also a way for me to overcome personal fears and heal from the scars of severe physical and verbal abuse. It became a platform to rebuild my self-confidence and inspire others to do the same.

Starting over in a new country brought its challenges, especially adapting to unfamiliar events like prom culture and navigating a new business environment. But through perseverance, I found my footing, built meaningful connections, and established myself in both the sewing and modeling industries. What sets me apart is my dedication to making every client feel beautiful and empowered, whether I’m creating a custom gown or bringing a vision to life through photography.

I’m proud of my journey, both as a seamstress and a model, and I want people to know that my work is about more than just fashion—it’s about creating, inspiring, and uplifting. Whether you’re looking for a perfectly tailored dress, an unforgettable costume, or a representation of strength and self-expression, my goal is to make your vision a reality.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the most significant pivots in my life was when I moved from Australia to America in 2018. It was a leap into the unknown—leaving behind the familiar and starting fresh in a new country where I didn’t know anyone, let alone how things like proms, events, or business culture worked. I had to rebuild everything from scratch: my social circle, my business connections, and even my understanding of the market.

Back in Australia, I was an experienced seamstress working on costumes, swimwear, and custom creations. But after moving, I realized I had to adapt to the traditions and expectations in America. Proms and weddings, for instance, had their own unique style and cultural significance that I wasn’t fully familiar with. To meet the needs of my new clients, I had to study the trends, listen to what people wanted, and adjust my skills to suit the demands of this new environment.

While growing my sewing business, I also took on new roles, such as creating theater and show choir costumes, teaching girls to sew, and working with Girl Scout troops. These opportunities allowed me to connect with my community in ways I hadn’t anticipated, but they also required a level of flexibility and creativity to establish myself in a competitive market.

Another major pivot came when I entered the modeling industry. Initially, I pursued it as a personal outlet to rebuild my self-confidence after enduring severe physical and verbal abuse. Modeling became a transformative experience, helping me grow as a person while also opening doors professionally. Over time, it evolved into a platform for celebrating empowerment, self-love, and body positivity. It was an entirely new direction for me, but one that aligned beautifully with my goal of inspiring others.

Each pivot, whether in business or life, taught me the value of adaptability, resilience, and self-belief. Moving to a new country, learning a new market, starting a business, and redefining myself through modeling were all daunting, but they were also opportunities to grow and thrive. These experiences have shaped who I am today, and they continue to fuel my passion for helping others feel confident and empowered, no matter where they are on their journey.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that taking care of others always had to come before taking care of myself. For much of my life, I poured my energy into those around me—whether it was creating costumes and dresses for my daughters when they were young, supporting my clients as a seamstress, or helping my grandchildren feel loved and cherished. While this gave me a sense of purpose, I often neglected my own needs, dreams, and healing.

The turning point came after I moved to America and found myself starting over. Building a business and navigating a new environment forced me to focus on my own growth. When I began modeling, it was a deeply personal decision to rebuild my self-confidence after years of surviving physical and verbal abuse. At first, I felt guilty for investing so much time in myself, but I soon realized that prioritizing my own well-being didn’t take away from my family or my work—it enhanced it. By becoming stronger and more confident, I became a better mother, grandmother, business owner, and role model.

The backstory to this lesson is rooted in my love for creativity and caregiving. Making costumes and dresses for my daughters when they were young was one of my greatest joys, and it reinforced the idea that my value came from what I could do for others. But through modeling, sewing, and rebuilding my life in a new country, I learned that I am also worthy of care, attention, and celebration. Unlearning that self-sacrifice was the only path to fulfillment allowed me to embrace self-love and, in turn, inspire those around me to do the same.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @saucy_aussie_girl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BPaMNNHWz/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits

Photographer legal name: Keith Klenowski
Photographer studio name: photo Keith
Photographer instagram: @photokeith
Photographer email: [email protected]

Photographer legal name: Jairon Robinson
Photographer studio name: Litrevision
Photographer Instagram: @iamjairon
Photographer email: [email protected]