"With the ups and downs of retail over the past year, we are very grateful for the support of style icons like Melissa helping promote Australian brands to wider audiences."
Australian label TORANNCE founder and designer Julia Hemingway said it was wonderful to see Leong supporting local brands and adding an element of fashion to cooking.
"When Melissa wore the TORANNCE Floating On A Cloud Maxi Dress in Azalea Pink on MasterChef (2020), it sold out immediately and we were inundated with requests for this dress," she said.
"The retail industry, like so many other industries, suffered under the strain of Covid-19 and many promotional/marketing budgets were cut or pulled completely.
"So it was fantastic having the support of such a well-known TV figure – supporting the brand and the industry in general."
For Leong, it was always her intention to make the most of being the first female judge on MasterChef Australia.
"To showcase as many Australian-run, female-led businesses has been a point of focus from the beginning and it makes me so happy to hear that the impact has been positive," Leong said.
"It means a great deal that the MasterChef audience have embraced this new chapter and everything that comes with it, and if I can contribute towards driving demand for Australian fashion to our global audience, why wouldn't I?
"I believe in lifting others up at every turn, and with such talented creatines making beautiful things right here in this country, now is a crucial time to shine a spotlight and help keep labels running and the fashion industry thriving."
