Charlene Figueras is a passionate and artistic individual whom radiates a caring effervescence in all aspects of her life, from her young family, her full-time position as a Senior Youth Worker, as well as her not-for-profit, collaborative photographic and fashion-related endeavours – this may explain why most of her projects use creation as a galvanising medium for sharing and growth. 

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Charlene’s creativity has its roots in her infancy, including her exposure to her Mother and late Grandmother’s needlework, her Father’s application of his meticulous craftmanship to the art of traditional Genoese boat-making, as well as her own keen eye for colour, shape and movement.

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Her initial forays into fashion were as a model (having appeared in numerous publications and shows, as well as representing Gibraltar at the first edition of the Miss Earth beauty pageant) and over time she also began to view this world from the other side of the lens, honing her skills as a photographer (with numerous examples of her work having been published [including in the Globe Magazine] and one of her most treasured projects combining charitable and anthropological aspects in the photographic Youth Service project #sitforcalpehouse).  

 

Having grown up in Catalan Bay (a small fishing village in Gibraltar, where bikinis were very much a second skin during the long, sweltering summer months) Charlene also turned her efforts to designing bikinis: to begin with for family and friends, but which then developed into MLE Swimwear.  Her latest brand (of evening wear and choice pieces) OWL (Only Wear Love) probably best captures the loving, inclusive ethos she subscribes to and employs in everything to which she turns her indefatigable spirit.