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Karen Neilsen Collection

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Karen Neilsen Collection

A Bikini Curator with a passion for vintage swimwear. Collecting forgotten moments to treasure x

16/10/2026

This week we attended the book launch of Regina Kings Book, People I Have Shot.
Regina’s work covers generations of photography from entertainers, politicians, movie stars, celebrities and many Gold Coasters.
Capturing the first Surfing Event known as The Stubbies Surf Classic in 1977 at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast bought back wonderful memories.
Wow just look at that crowd and our beautiful 4GG radio promotional girls Mandy and Lynne.
Gorgeous in their sunshine yellow triangle bikinis in true Aussie beach girl style.
Thanks for capturing these amazing pics to look back on with Mark Richards 🏆
People I Have Shot by Regina King
is available www.andalsobooks.com
Karen Neilsen Collection

02/10/2026

Curating the History of the Bikini…

Take a look back at the 90's series, for Brothers Neilsen swimwear called Tigerlily
Perfect for lounging by the pool or strolling through a resort this passion pink, high cut leg line bandeau malliot one piece could be worn with or without the removable lycra frill mini skirt Also came in a matching bikini two piece frill combination.

Fresh tigerlily flowers in hair
RAQ Fashion Awards, this entry called "Tigerlily" was a finalist in the swimwear category in late 90's!
Model Sherry and Jackie
Designer Karen Neilsen
Brother's Neilsen Swimwear

RAQ Fashion Awards Brisbane City Hall
Karen Neilsen Collection Gold Coast Fashions & Parades 60's, 70's 80's 90's

25/09/2026

Curating the History of the Bikini … 2010
On the runway at Australian Fashion Week this modern vintage take on a cotton aloha print two piece inspired by those early Elvis movies in Hawaii

A fun two piece featured a halter bandeau tie back top with frill pant. Made locally on the Gold Coast as part of the 2010 Aloha, Hearts and Flowers range for the Karen Neilsen Collection showcased at Australian Fashion Week.
Karen Neilsen Collection

18/09/2026

Curating the History of the Bikini … 2010
A retrospective take on the fifties and sixties reimagined for a new generation of vintage bikini lovers.
Transforming vintage shapes for the bikini girls of the 00’s with new trims, like pom poms, oversized buttons, shirring, frills and bows were just some of the upscaling features that took a basic two piece to a glamour two piece.
This Pink Ribbon High Tea garden party parade was held in the gardens of Pearly Shells, Mermaid Beach. Over 150 guests enjoyed a delightful afternoon with the local community making this a fun afternoon to remember reminiscing about the fabulous fifties and sixties.

Swimwear Karen Neilsen Collection
Designer Karen Neilsen
2010
Pearly Shells
Karen Neilsen Collection

11/09/2026

Curating the History of Swimwear continues...80's style.
My favourite red swimsuit was actually a Danskin leotard! It was the 80’s dancewear era and workout leotards had a great fit and doubled as bodysuits.

Photographed on Surfers Paradise Surfers Paradise Beach
Photographer Trevor J Wilkins
Model Karen Neilsen
Hair Roylenes Surfers Paradise
Karen Neilsen Collection
Gold Coast Fashions & Parades

04/09/2026

Curating the History of the Bikini …1984
Surf trips, Bandeau Bikinis and a cowboy straw hat.
The first time we went to the surfing Island of Tavarua it was pretty raw compared to what the surfers on the WSL circuit experience today.

I remember all the sea snakes on the beach at night, hanging out our shower bags to warm in the sun, and watching Paul surf from the boat at Cloudbreak. The beautiful welcome to the Island and the Kava ceremony.

My bikini was navy and yellow and white bandeau bikini sadly I can’t remember the brand ha!
Bandeaus really had their moment in the eighties and took on several reinventions of the shape. Still popular today.
Remember making one similar in the late 90’s for Brothers Neilsen.
Karen Neilsen Collection

28/08/2026

Curating the History of the Bikini…

Bikinis of the late 60's were experimenting with many fabrications including terry towelling, jacquards, Bri nylons, woven weaves and swiss cottons before the crotchet, knitted boom of the early 70's.
One of Paula Stafford's favourite models, the naturally beautiful Kathy Ford modelling this Paula Stafford Terry towelling bikini with banded trim on Surfers Paradise Beach.
Paula Stafford was known for designing Australia’s first bikini and her showroom and shop Tiki Togs, underneath her Fiesta Flats also known as Bikini Bar and then changed to Paula Stafford was located at the river end of Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise. Paula was the ultimate in marketing her bikinis first to offer custom order bikinis made to measure within 24 hours. First to create interstate promotions and parades to sell her designs along with the Gold Coast lifestyle.
Kathy travelled on many Interstate and International Promotional Tours promoting the Gold Coast along with Paula Stafford’s resort and swimwear designs.
Karen Neilsen Collection Gold Coast Fashions & Parades 60’s, 70’s 80’s 90’s

Model Kathy Ford
Location Surfers Paradise Beach
Paula Stafford Designer

21/08/2026

Curating the History of the Bikini … 1979
Surf mats and beach girls on Surfers Paradise Beach with the distant sounds of beach radio playing in the background. The fragrance of Hawaiian tropic or reef coconut oils.
An era of great bikini shops, surf shops and boutiques in town
Bikinis moved into Lycra in the late seventies with traditional tri tie side bikinis and bandeau styles the most popular with beach girls
I remember at this time Expozay bikinis from New Zealand were very popular in Surfers. The brand filled a gap for beach and surf girls with still no surf brands making bikinis.
Karen wearing Expozay licorice stripe bandeau in purple,lime, black and pink. Sunshine yellow and aqua blues were also featuring this visitor’s photo shoot on Surfers Beach

Models Debbie Francis, Karen Neilsen, Kris Waldren, Mandy and Susie
Location Surfers Paradise Beach
Gold Coast Visitor Magazine
Karen Neilsen Collection

14/08/2026

Curating the History of the Bikini …2004
The Ekka Parades, Brisbane RNA Show
The cotton, wool and leather fashion parades were always a crowd favourite at the Ekka.

For several years we participated in the cotton parades creating ranges from cotton, with much delight from the cotton farmers who were delighted to imagine all the bikinis growing in there cotton trees
Show producer Lindsay Bennett was targeting a youth audience and felt Brothers Neilsen was a good fit for the 18 to 36 demographic.
With 43 cotton parades over 10 days it was a busy time. We would continue to design for the natural fibres parades even designing leather bikinis.
Karen Neilsen Collection Gold Coast Bulletin

07/08/2026

Curating our Swimwear History… In 1976
Australia’s National Costume was designed by Watersun. A sunshine yellow onepiece was chosen to represent our beach culture and colour of the sun. The suit featured gold hardware on keyhole front with a low back and matching sarong skirt with gold hardware.
This photo was taken by Regina King in her lounge room fifty years ago!!! Grateful to Regina for capturing this moment and so many more during my career. It’s seems only fitting to celebrate 50 years this week as a Gold Coast Ambassador representing Australia and winning Miss Young International Beauty Pageant in Tokyo to share this one.

Karen James
Miss Young International
Photo Regina King
Watersun Swimwear
Karen Neilsen Collection

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