Owner of new Robina fashion boutique, Issue.1.
Owner of new Robina fashion boutique, Issue.1.
Brooke Raven is pretty much living the dream as far as we’re concerned, having recently opened a stunning fashion boutique in Robina Town Centre.
The newbie, Issue.1 is filled with a carefully curated collection of fashion forward pieces including plenty of Gold Coast brands, Brooke’s personal passion.
We sat down for a chat with Brooke about what it takes to open your very own boutique and local designers to watch out for.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
30 years, I moved from Sydney with my family when I was little.
What do you love most about living here?
It’s an amazing place to raise my family, and whether you love the hinterland or the beach, shopping or the outdoors, everything is only ever 20 minutes away!
Tell us about your new boutique?
Issue.1 is the result of 18 years in the retail fashion business, and getting to know my customers at Robina Town Centre over the past 10 years. It is a carefully curated selection of practical, functional and fashion forward pieces for the modern woman who loves fashion but needs her wardrobe to be effortless and easy to wear. We try on absolutely everything we buy before selecting it, and buy specifically with our customers in mind. We hope it’s a place where women of all shapes, sizes, styles and backgrounds can come and feel comfortable and leave feeling confident and beautiful in their purchases.
You’re passionate about supporting homegrown talent, tell us about some of the local brands you love…
I absolutely love local brands St Helena, Lisa Brown, Dylan Kain, and Valley Eyewear to name a few. I work directly with the designers of all of these brands and love the passion we share for adorning our customers in original, locally designed pieces. I am currently working with local designer Lisa Brown on a custom gown for one of our beautiful VIP customers for an upcoming black tie event, and I just love that I am able to offer her that service because Lisa makes everything here on the Coast in her Mermaid Beach studio.
How do you think fashion on the Gold Coast has evolved in recent years?
The main change I have noticed is the incredible local design talent that has emerged. Ten years ago, there was very little fashion-wise coming out of SEQ and NNSW; now we have so many super successful and talented designers in our backyard and it’s great to see the support that the locals give them
What are you trend predictions for the upcoming season?
We’re going to see the return of khaki (an Issue.1 fave!) and deep plums for winter, with a pop of red and bold florals. Midi skirts are huge, and florals will feature all AW19 and well into Spring. We absolutely love a leopard print, and have a variation of this trend coming through over the coming months.
Any upcoming designers we should keep an eye out for?
Saint Helena from Bangalow – an amazing women’s swimwear and apparel designer. Also keep an eye out for the release of our own issue.1 signature accessories coming through.
Why is it important for you personally to wear and support Australian designers?
To put the Gold Coast on the map for fashion – we have so many amazing designers around us and I am proud to say I’m a GC girl!
Any advice for someone looking to start their own business?
Plan, plan, plan – know who your target market is and tailor your product/service to meet their needs and wants. Be prepared to work until very late most nights and feel the constant guilt between being an awesome mum and wife, and being an awesome businesswoman. Make sure you have support from your family and an amazing team working with you.
Tell us your favourites on the Coast…
Cafe: Barbosa Deli at Robina Town Centre
Restaurant: Iku at Burleigh Heads
Beach: Tallebudgera
How does you your weekend usually look: To be completely honest, it includes about seven loads of washing, cleaning my house, running around after my three and six year-old children, and doing some cooking for the week ahead. We usually manage to squeeze in dinner at our local Japanese, a family movie night, and a swim on Sunday.
This ‘burb has all the bells and whistles.
Pop quiz! Where’s one place on the Gold Coast, where you can shop till you drop, eat your body weight in quality nosh, wander amongst stunning natural parklands and more? It’s Robina! There’s also a hospital and train station, but unfortunately, they’re not exciting enough to make our list.
Here are 18 things that are exciting enough to make our list.
Say ciao to Robina’s (perhaps, Gold Coast’s) most authentic and downright delicious pasta joint! The artisan pasta boutique store is brought to us by a European mother and daughter duo – how could it not be? Made with high-quality durum wheat semolina (rich in fibre, protein, vitamin B, and also digestion-friendly), their fresh-as pasta can be paired with a selection of their no-nasties, slow-cooked sauces. The best!
Where: Easy T Centre, 514 Christine Avenue, Robina
The Euro food tour continues at My French Pastries- a slice of Paris right in Robina. They deliver made-from-scratch croissants, tarts, and decadent desserts, with each pastry crafted with high-quality ingredients that keep locals coming back for more (and more and more). Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat.
Where: Shop 5, 4226/361 Robina Pkwy, Robina
Home of our beloved Titans, CBUS Super Stadium is one of the best regional stadiums in Australia and it’s ours, all ours (insert wicked snigger). Not only do Gold Coasters spend their weekends cheering on the boys here, but we’ve also been lucky enough to watch A-league and international football games, the Nitro Circus, and the Rugby 7s as part of the Commonwealth Games. High five to CBUS for being our homegrown hub of sporting joy.
Where: Centreline Place, Robina
An intimate 24-seat Asian bar and restaurant offering a modern take on Southeast Asian cuisine. The menu showcases creative dishes from Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, inspired by vibrant street food flavours and regional classics. With its cosy setting, flavour-packed plates and a Chef Hat from the Australian Good Food Guide for 2025, it’s a top pick for both date nights and group dining.
Where: 44 Commerce Dr, Robina
She’s smart, she’s stunning- she’s Bond University. Yes, Robina is home to the prestigious and world-class institution that helps current and future generations reach their biggest goals! Bond combines innovative teaching, a supportive campus community, and beautiful surroundings to create an inspiring study environment.
Where: 14 University Drive, Robina
The spacious, sports-themed bar and restaurant made a big splash on Robina Town Centre when it first moved in and continues to do so in 2023. Within The Sporting Globe there are no less than 50 high definition screens including two 5m2 screens and a nine-screen video wall, so yeah nah, you’re not missing a single second of the action. They’re also serving up perfect sport-watching food, frosty bronsons galore, and an all-round cracking good atmosphere. It’s a sure thing.
Where: The Promenade, Robina Town Centre, Robina
Calling all dog lovers! This expansive dog park is the perfect place for your furry friend to run, play, and socialise safely. With plenty of open space and shaded areas, it’s ideal for a weekend outing with your four-legged family members.
Where: Lot 21 Robina Pkwy, Clear Island Waters
A vibrant café serving wholesome, flavour-packed meals crafted from fresh, local ingredients. Harvest Foodhouse is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a relaxed lunch, with mouthwatering options like lamb shoulder tacos, cauliflower steak with a white bean hummus, loaded savoury croissants and triple-choc waffles. You’re gonna need to make a few trips.
Where: 361 Robina Parkway, Robina
The playground to end all playgrounds! Greenheart Robina Parklands is a 22.5-hectare wonderland with towering slides, net bridges, trampolines, swings, water play, and a toddler zone, all fully fenced with an onsite café (hallelujah). Kids can pedal off to the bike track with humps, bumps, and traffic signs, while parents chill under shady umbrellas. Add in walking paths, a boardwalk, half basketball court and a dog park, and you’ve got the ultimate family day out.
Where: Stadium Dr, Robina
A tried and tested (regularly. Very regularly….) favourite, Robina Pav features a sleek look’n’feel, dreamy deck overlooking the water, a specialised kids area, and plenty of good vibes. Boasting a menu packed with epic eats from woodfired pizzas to stacked burgers, it would be rude not to get involved with the impressive cocktail menu #IfWeMust. It’s the perfect spot for sun-soaked afternoon sessions with you posse.
Where: 229 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina
A modern Australian rooftop bar and restaurant, Green Fields serves up flavour-packed dishes with a focus on quality produce and sustainability. The stylish rooftop setting makes it ideal for enjoying a meal while taking in the Robina skyline.
Where: 94 Laver Dr, Robina
A yakitori-focused Japanese-Korean grill in Robina, known for its smoky binchotan charcoal skewers. The menu features wagyu beef, free-range chicken, veggie options, and fresh seafood, paired with Japanese whisky, beer, and wine. Perfect for casual dinners or a night out.
Where: 126/128 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina
If open spaces and oodles of greenery, in the middle of a city no less, is your thing (yes please), Cheltenham Park is the business. There are plenty of areas for the kids – human and fury – to run themselves ragged (#yeahmums!) bushwalking tracks, and big leafy trees to stretch out beneath with a picnic and your favourite people. Perfect for escaping the rat race without chewing through the petrol in search of a tree change.
Where: Cheltenham Drive, Robina
Cocoflufferia by Goji is the all-new dessert wonderland, where dairy-free decadence meets a candy-land of toppings! Grab a bowl of their light and fluffy vegan soft serve, then go crazy with a line-up of delicious toppings like pistachio kanufa, Bueno, pistachio and Nutella sauce, Biscoff crumbs, mini mochi, M&Ms and fresh fruits!
Where: Robina Town Centre, Robina
Step into a world of optical illusions and interactive 3D art. Artvo is not only visually stunning but also a playground for your imagination, offering endless photo opportunities and fun for all ages.
Where: Ground Floor, Near the Kitchens, next to Lush, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
Riva is the home of sleek and stylish premium workspaces that make the 9-to-5 grind feel…well, less grindy. They’re designed to foster productivity and creativity by combining comfort, style, and convenience, with both private and co-working options.
Where: 2/14 Edgewater Court, Robina
Small Fry offers a modern twist on classic Australian seafood. One of their signature dishes is the Bug Bao– lightly battered bug meat in a steamed bun with coleslaw, chilli, shallots, lime, and sriracha mayo. Don’t walk, run! Pair that with a serve of their Family Parmesan and Truffle Fries, and damnnnnn!
Where: 273 Scottsdale Drive, Robina
Your most Instagrammable matcha moments await at Matcha Therapy- where everything is made with ceremonial grade matcha powder from Uji, Japan. Sit, sip and shop your way through matcha heaven.
Where: 129 Laver Drive, Robina
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
