Ms Julie Tengdahl

Fashion Designer

Julie Tengdahl (junior class of 1978) is a fashion designer with her own luxury women's brand, Tengdahl. Julie began her successful career in fashion and design in 1986 after finishing her creative studies and global travelling.

She is fuelled by her family, friends and the love of service for her community, saying that "design, creativity and helping people shine, has truly been my passion and purpose".

As a young girl, Julie grew up next to a sewing machine with a seamstress mother that guided and taught her practical skills and a wonderful appreciation of beauty and the importance of service.  Her first real job was working at Deons, sewing bridal gowns.

From a career perspective, winning the prestigious award for Design and Manufacturing excellence by the Queensland Government in 2000 was "truly a highlight in what was one of my challenging years in business".   When reminiscing about State High, Julie remembers a quote that she still holds at heart from her PE teacher, Kath Walker. Just before playing the grand final A grade netball match, Walker said,  "A winner never quits and a quitter never wins".

Julie believes in her core life goals that are always to trust and back herself and stay focused on the 'now'.  Her advice to current students would be "don't judge the people you love, be mindful to direct your vision on the positive, be guided by your passion for something and stay grounded and in a place of gratitude".