Paula Stafford

Paula Stafford OAM (10 June 1920 – 23 June 2022) was an Australian fashion designer credited with introducing the bikini to Australia.

Early life Stafford was born in Melbourne in 1920.

Her work is on display at the Gold Coast Historical Society museum in Bundall, Queensland.

Personal life In 2010, Stafford's autobiography, Bikini: The Paula Stafford story, was published, co-written with Ali McGovern. She turned 100 on 10 June 2020 and died on 23 June 2022, aged 102, in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

The State Library of Queensland holds Paula Stafford's personal collection, Stafford was an impressive record keeper, with seemingly every new business venture, every new ad campaign, and every new swimsuit documented extensively. In 2013 a digital story was created by the State Library of Queensland interviewing Stafford. In the video Stafford discusses dressmaking and the development and success of her business. Paula talks about the bikini and how it launched her Surfers Paradise business; the development of the business; building business around her family; her unique business model; the Gold Coast and tourism; becoming an international brand and drawing international publicity; being a proud Queenslander.