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Rachael Cassar may not  be a household name yet, but with many achievements under her belt, and having been touted as “one of the world’s up and coming fashion designers”, we have no doubt that even in the fickle world of fashion, Rachael Cassar will be more than just a fleeting success story.

Rachael’s designs are high-end haute couture, embellished, detailed, stunning… and all from recycled materials. With an environmental conscience and immense talent for design Rachael Cassar is one to watch.

When and how did you first decide to pursue fashion design as a career?

When I was in primary school I formed a strong interest in accessories- particularly jewlellery. I started collecting jewellery from different eras and soon I was collecting era clothes; which led to me putting 'looks' together, and eventually experimenting by taking things apart and making things for myself. It all started at such a young age that I really can’t remember a time that I didn’t know I would end up choosing fashion design as a career choice.


As a young designer just starting out how hard is it to make a name for yourself in the fashion industry?

I think the Australian fashion industry is generally quite open to new talent and ideas. I think if you have a point of difference then people start to talk.  It takes time, I suppose you just have to hang in there and hope your work is worthy of recognition.

You have chosen to take the path of sustainable fashion, what is sustainable fashion?

Sustainable fashion means designing using environmentally friendly materials and methods in clothing production.


How do you sum up your designs for anyone who has never come across them before?

Rachael Cassar is a high-end women-wear sustainable fashion label. I use the process of deconstruction to create garments that are ‘one offs’ comprised of 90% recycled materials. There is a lot of waste on this earth so instead of creating more waste with new materials I challenge myself by re-using existing waste to create ‘new’. From preloved garments to antique finds, I carefully choose quality pre claimed fabrics to create a cohesive ‘sustainable range’ without compromising style and design for ‘environmental friendliness’


Choosing to work in sustainable fashion can’t make it any easier for you starting out, why are you so committed to being eco-friendly? 

I think we are all feeling the effects of neglecting our global environment. I have always been concerned about waste and after studying sustainability at uni, I made a conscious decision to commit to re-using waste to produce equally appealing clothing.

People love high-end fashion for it’s aesthetic qualities, does sustainable fashion mean sacrificing aesthetics for the environment?

 I believe that there is a preconception that society has about sustainable fashion; that most designs are quite boring, flat and dull due to the use of natural and pre-claimed and limited materials. That’s why I endeavor to create a range that does not look ‘recycled’, does not lack embellishment, detail, and design uniqueness for a sustainable product. This is only way that that people will embrace sustainable fashion design- if they feel they are not sacrificing ‘luxury’ for ‘sustainability’. The challenge is quite exciting, especially when people are completely shocked at the recycled content!

What has been your greatest achievement to date?

My greatest achievement to date would be being named the first Australian ever to win Italy's prestigious International Mittelmoda Fashion Competition last September. Over 600 designers from around the world entered, 28 were selected as finalists and were given the chance to exhibit their collections before a panel of fashion critics and dignitaries. Followed by a high profile runway show. I was awarded the Premiere Prize which included 10 000 Euros in prize money. Mittelmoda earmarked me as one of the world’s up and coming fashion designers, which was a huge shock and privilege.

It was also really proud when, last September, I showcased my work at the Green Pages Runway Show in Sydney... and I suppose the one that started it all was the  Lancome Colour Design Competition where I won the  Media choice Award of $5000

During the design process where do you draw your inspiration from?

I am constantly designing in my head, and always when designing on paper I have up to a 100 designs that can be broken up into multiple ranges. I don’t design around a trend or even a season. Rather I take inspiration from themes explored in film, characters sung about in songs and descriptions of personality in books- these are the things that influence me. I often design around a character, which is really never ending. I have a specific woman in mind when I design. When I experience a piece of popular culture that I believe represents that character, I use it as inspiration. For example Lancôme was inspired by bjork. My other work was inspired by Labyrinth (the movie) so I have a constant flow of designs and once I choose the ones to make, they begin to evolve on the stand as a cohesive range- through fabrication and texture.

Take us through what goes on in the life of Rachael in the lead up to a show?

It is very frantic before a show because it is the time when everything needs to come together. It is actually the most exciting part because it is when the vision has materialised completely from the garments to the accessories- the story finally has an ending!

What is in store for Rachael Cassar in the next few months?

The next step is a gallery exhibition of my current collection at China heights on May 23rd. At the moment I am developing my accessory range, which will also be for sale at the gallery.