Maggie Tabberer: Vogue model who became the face of Australian fashion

Maggie Tabberer as a model in the 1960s, when she was the first Australian to feature on the cover of the local edition of Vogue magazine. Born in Adelaide in 1936, she became a household name in Australia as editor of the Australian Women’s Weekly, designer of the Maggie T plus-sized clothing range and a Gold Logie-winning television presenter. Photograph: Henry Talbot/National Gallery of Victoria

Before Instagram influencers and reality show home renovators there was Maggie Tabberer, whose poise and urbane advice on fashion and decorating made her a household name. Known fondly as Maggie T, she has died just days before her 88th birthday.

Tabberer was, quite literally, the face of Australian fashion. Photographed by Lord Snowdon in 1960, she was the first local model to appear on the cover of just-launched Australian Vogue.