GROWING up as the only girl in five siblings, it was almost a surprise Jeanette Samaha turned out to be the creative, passionate, fashion-loving business woman she is today.
She's been all over the world to study couture, opened a studio in Sydney and even made the first skirt to ever be worn by a female barrister in a court in 1990.
Jeanette is next in line for this week's Chain Reaction. She was nominated by Pinkhill boutique owner Silvija Majetic last week. 
Born in Coonabarabran, NSW, to Lebanese parents, Jeanette is a first-generation Aussie who moved to Sydney with her family when she was six. After school she completed a fashion technology certificate at TAFE in East Sydney.
"I finished that and went straight to Paris in 1984. I was 22," she said. "I studied in Paris and stayed in Europe for a year, always educating myself in fashion. I ate it, breathed it, lived it. Paris was magnificent. I felt at home. It was in my blood. The French occupied Lebanon for a long time so we were all named French names and Mum and Dad speak French, Lebanese and English. We all had that 'je ne sais quoi'." Jeanette's passion for fashion is infectious. She describes making garments for rich Sydney housewives and designing her first bridal gown while still studying. She's made more than 400 bridal pieces so far, including mother-of-the-bride, bridesmaid and groomsmen outfits. She thinks her style came from her mum and grandma, who were amazing with a needle and thread.
"I became a couturier," she said. "I make and design everything. You never call it a tailor or a seamstress, because that's not what we are. You have to have an amazing eye for detail (and) figure analysis gifts. People don't often learn it. I think you're born with style." When Jeanette returned to Australia after Paris she opened a salon in Sydney. But aged 27 she packed her bags again and headed to London, where she studied at the Central School of Fashion. She said travel deepened her knowledge.
"You gain a lot of education when you're travelling. Australia doesn't give it. Obviously studying, education and experience will further your career and benefit you enormously, but because I lived and breathed it I became very good." After studying in London she returned to Sydney to open another salon. "I found places I should have stayed and worked in, but I just wanted to come home and do my own thing," she said. "But the market was very bad and suppressed and ... it was a tough time, so I opted to quit, which was very traumatic. It was like cutting off my arm." Five years later she married and moved to Darwin with her then husband. She opened Bread boutique at Casuarina and ran it for five years before relocating to Smith Street eight months ago. She attributes her store's success to the many hands she has helping her every day, and her own hard work.
"I'm very creative, but very toned down in this town," she said. "I've just designed about 300 garments and I'm getting them produced and doing it slowly. I don't want to saturate my store.
"I just know what my customers need, and I work with them and style them perfectly - even if they're not ready for it. I can do it in 10 minutes. I've got a great eye.
"If they're not ready and resist me, they can leave and come back another time. But at the end of the day, I know my shit." Jeanette loves the Territory. She praises the weather, but said more money could be spent on the CBD.
"I love my freedom here. I'm not married, I don't have children, I don't have to worry about that," she said. "I would not do another store in Darwin, it's not necessary, but I'd like to sell the business one day and someone to continue this legacy. There's nothing better than a successful business. Some young, gorgeous creative might come in here and say 'I want your business'. That's something to dream about." While she's not packing her bags just yet, Jeanette dreams of being 18 again and exploring Paris, just as she did as a 22-year-old finding her feet in the fashion world.
"I don't see myself leaving too quickly, but ... Paris, of course. All the time. It's my dream every day."
CHAIN REACTION The NT News Chain Reaction series shares the stories of everyday Territorians. The catch is, the person who is featured then chooses the next Territorian.
Jeanette Samaha has nominated Love Thy Label boutique owner Marie-Louise Verbis to feature in next week's ChainReaction