The future of Australian fashion is being shaped by a new generation of designers who are not only pushing creative boundaries but also building sustainable, forward-thinking businesses.

Rube Pedder is one of these rising talents. At just 24, she has already made her mark on the industry, with her designs gracing the runway at Australian Fashion Week and being worn by global icons like Katy Perry, BLACKPINK’s Jennie Kim, and Genesis Owusu.

Now, with the support of Ubank’s Feel-Good Fashion Fund, Rube has received a $30,000 grant to take her brand to the next level. Expanding beyond her intricate couture designs, she is launching her first ready-to-wear collection, a bold interpretation of ‘elevated streetwear’ that brings together artisanal craftsmanship and digital innovation.

In this interview, Rube shares the inspiration behind this collection, the challenges and opportunities of moving into ready-to-wear, and how she is ensuring that craftsmanship remains at the heart of her growing brand.

 

1. Your Ready-to-Wear collection with Ubank marks an exciting new chapter for your brand. What inspired this collection, and how does it align with your creative vision?

What inspired this collection:

This collection with Ubank focuses on the unexpected intersections between finance and fashion. While these brands may seem worlds apart, they share common ground - youthfulness, innovation, and creative ingenuity. This collection is a reflection of that shared spirit, seamlessly merging both worlds.

A key inspiration was traditional bank merchandise, marketing materials, and traditional bank uniforms. I hand-drew a series of custom Ubank fonts, logos, stickers, and slogans, embedding the brand’s identity into the fabric of the designs. The focal slogan, ‘future u,’ is a direct evolution of Ubank’s core message, ‘see your money clearly.’ It embodies the idea of envisioning a brighter future - whether that’s buying a house, traveling to Europe, or achieving a goal. This theme is particularly highlighted in the couture dress, where these mentioned manifestation-based texts are printed into the fabric itself.

I also looked to the physicality of banking for inspiration - ATM interfaces, fluorescent fonts, stripes, numbers, and phrases like ‘sufficient funds,’ ‘thank you,’ and ‘have a nice day.’ Even the zeros from a $100 bill found their way into the details.

Beyond banking, the Bauhaus movement was a major influence. Bauhaus was built on the unification of different artistic disciplines, much like this collaboration between a digital bank and a niche couture label. To symbolize this unity, one of the key prints in the collection is based on a jersey design.

How does it align with your creative vision:

At its core, my brand has continually pushed boundaries of traditional craftsmanship while embracing modernity, and this collection is a direct extension of that vision. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of merging contrasting worlds - whether that’s couture with streetwear, handcraft with technology, or in this case, finance with fashion. 

My approach to design is deeply rooted in storytelling and intricate detailing, both of which are central to this collection. The use of hand-drawn typography, layered prints, and hand-made couture reflects my commitment to thoughtful craftsmanship, while the digital influences bring in a futuristic edge. This collaboration has allowed me to explore new methods of expression while staying true to my aesthetic - where tradition meets innovation in a way that feels fresh, bold, and unexpected.

 

2. Moving from couture to ready-to-wear presents both opportunities and challenges. How does the design process differ, and what considerations come into play when creating pieces for a broader audience?

Transitioning from couture to ready-to-wear is both an exciting challenge and an opportunity to expand my brand’s reach. Couture allows for complete creative freedom - each piece is handcrafted, intricate, and highly individualised. The concept and product are developed together, with each fitting influencing the next stage of development, making it a deeply organic and personalised process. Ready-to-wear, while still made by hand, is produced in larger quantities following exact patterns and technical instructions. The focus shifts to accessibility, functionality, and wearability.

The design process for ready-to-wear is more structured. It relies heavily on drawings and tech packs, meaning that you need to know exactly what you want right from the start. The factory work involves executing the designs and fitting once, which doesn’t allow for the same fluidity or refinement as in couture, made more crucial due to time constraints. Working remotely and designing something that’s not yet tangible posed its own challenges and limitations, but it also provided an opportunity to approach things from a new perspective, one of refinement and decisiveness. 

Couture, though traditionally exclusive, is modern in its sustainability as only what’s ordered is produced. However, its intricacy, time, and materials make it an expensive practice. Ready-to-wear, on the other hand, is about reaching a broader audience and balancing the essence of my brand. I approached this by incorporating the layering and textures in my couture work in the prints and combining them with different finishes and fabrications to create visual stimulation. For example, the sticker print incorporates 20-30 hand drawn logos, which I then scanned digitally, and re printed as stickers, and then re-scanned them. This process created an image with a texture and effect similar to a three-dimensional form like the smocking in my couture work. 

Despite these differences, my approach remains the same - merging craftsmanship with innovation. Whether couture or RTW, every piece is designed with intention, maintaining the balance between artistry and wearability.

 

3. Maintaining a brand’s unique identity while scaling production is a key challenge for many designers. How have you approached this transition while ensuring your craftsmanship and artistry remain at the forefront?

Maintaining the unique identity of the brand while scaling production is definitely a challenge, but it’s one that I’ve approached with intention. My brand is built on craftsmanship, innovation, and the artistry of intricate details - principally, techniques like smocking, hand-drawn prints, and sculptural silhouettes. The key to maintaining this identity while scaling is ensuring that every piece, whether couture or ready-to-wear, is rooted in the same values of thoughtful design and high-quality craftsmanship.

For me, it’s about finding the balance between artistry and accessibility. As production grows, I’ve focused on developing methods that allow the artistry to shine through without compromising the quality. For example, in ready-to-wear, I’ve made sure that the prints, textures, and finishes maintain the same level of detail as my couture pieces, using fabrics and techniques that are both unique and aligned with my aesthetic.

I’ve also worked closely with Ubank in facilitating trusted production partners who shared our vision and commitment to quality. This allows me to ensure that even as we scale, the integrity of the design process is upheld, and every piece reflects the essence of my brand.

In the end, scaling is not just about making more garments, it's about staying true to what makes Rube Pedder distinct: a seamless fusion of artistry and wearability that remains accessible to a wider audience, from the smallest detail to the overall vision. Craftsmanship and artistry are always at the forefront of what I do, and that’s something I’m committed to preserving as the brand grows. 

 

4. Are there any innovative techniques or materials you’re incorporating into this collection?

One of the key techniques I’m excited about is the use of hand-drawn typography within my digital prints. I’ve developed custom fonts and logos for this collection, which were then translated into layered prints through digital scanning to create unique visual textures and patterns. This digital approach allows me to blend the precision of technology with the artistry of handcraft, creating something unique.

In terms of materials, I’ve featured the defining aspect of my practice – smocking, in combination with more contemporary finishes. This allows me to bring my signature craftsmanship into a modern context.

 

5. As your brand evolves, do you see ready-to-wear becoming a major focus, or will you continue balancing couture with more accessible collections?

As my brand evolves, I do see ready-to-wear becoming a significant focus, but I plan to continue balancing it with couture collections. Ready-to-wear offers a unique opportunity to reach a broader audience, and I’m excited to explore the possibilities of creating accessible yet high-quality pieces. 

That said, couture will always remain an essential part of my brand’s DNA. It allows me to push the boundaries of craftsmanship and design, and I see it as a vital expression of the artistry that defines my work. Moving forward, I envision a brand that seamlessly blends both, offering the exclusivity and refinement of couture while making the artistry of my designs more accessible through ready-to-wear collections.

 

Explore Ubank's Feel-Good Fashion Fund for more details and it’s  social campaign here.