Rachel

photos Rachel Zeillic

Rachel, with her friend Sue-Anne, is the beauty and the brains behind the emerging Australian brand, stylestalker

What is the backstory of stylestalker - did you always plan to be in fashion or was it a serendipitous creation?
Neither, Susie or I had planned to get into fashion. We went to uni together, studying marketing, and later job-shared at an advertising agency. But we were obsessed with what we started to refer to as ‘stylestalking’ – going to Borders to read international magazines that we couldn’t afford to buy haha, trawling the web, and shopping up a storm on overseas trips. At the time we just couldn’t find the things we loved at a price we could afford so we decided to start a label for girls like us- designer quality pieces at affordable prices. We had no formal training or background in fashion so we taught ourselves everything. It was a huge task and we still have so much to learn!

Earlier this year you and Sue-Ann went on a road trip through the American Desert - what in particular caught your eye and inspired you to create your newest collection, Desert Fox?
In New Mexico the landscape is almost impossibly beautiful. Its so flat and then mountains just appear out of nowhere. The earth is a beautiful pink colour. We took our colour palette from this landscape and sprinkled in a bit of gold- inspired by stories of the gold rush. We were as much inspired by dusty old cowboys as the intricate handiwork of the various Native American tribes. Susie stayed behind to hold the fort so I brought back loads of trinkets and tried to capture everything for her on film.

What is your favourite piece from the collection and why?
I love the mirage tank- im a sucker for sequins and see-through. Mmmmmm.

What was your favourite moment from the trip?
One of my favourite moments was Ghost Ranch - where one of my favourite artists Georgia O’Keeffe lived and did all her paintings. Its not hard to see why she fell in love with this place! (see picture to the right)

Whose style do you stalk?
My blogger buddies Christine and Gala

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Ice cream! Which is kinda cheating cause it comes in so many different flavours

What is the process of creating a stylestalker piece, from idea to becoming reality?

We start by coming up with a story or theme, then we do loads of research- books, films, vintage pieces, raiding our friends closets- then we pick the colours and fabrics and design all the pieces (we do 80 piece collections, 3 times a year). After that we pick the fabrics make the samples and visit our factory. We hand over the collection to our sales agents who sell it into shops. Then it all goes into production and get delivered. Most people are surprised to hear the whole process takes about 10 months!

If you could travel back in time and have one piece of clothing, what would it be?
The dress that Marilyn Monroe wore when she sang Happy Birthday to JFK is stunning…what's that I said earlier about see-through and sequins?

Who do you admire?
Sue-ann- my other half. My boyfriend for how crazy talented he is and how hard he works. My mum for how generous and patient she is.

When it's a rainy day, I like to... Gossip girl marathons!

Top 3 songs at the moment:
Pnau ‘The Truth’ - the first single from my boy’s new album coming out soon…

Sleigh Bells ‘Rill Rill’
Kelis ‘Acapella’

Where do you think stylestalker will be this time in three years?
Relaxing in Riad in Morocco. You’re all invited.

If you could give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be?
Relax. Skip school. Wear sunscreen.

Where are you off to next?
I’m excited to finally be home for a few months!

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