Jude Kingston knows all too well the highs and lows of the fashion industry.

WARNING: This story contains references to suicide, which readers might find distressing.

"Have you watched the movie The Devil Wears Prada ?" the 60-year-old asked.

"That's what the industry's like."

Ms Kingston said the world of fashion was "relentless and unrealistic" in its expectations, which was coming at the expense of its workers.

After more than 30 years working in the industry, she said the "pressure cooker environment" continued to be normalised and nothing had changed.

Growing up at Wynyard, she was always fascinated by fashion and the art of constructing an outfit.

After moving to Melbourne at the age of 22 in pursuit of a life in the industry, she built a career as a buyer for large retail

See Full Page