After the past few years, we have decided it's a good time to regroup (considering all the changes in the world and especially in the fashion industry) and restart with a website refresh. I wanted to do this Journal story to explain some of the things we do (and why we do or do not do them) also reaffirming our commitment to true sustainability and local manufacturing.
AI... we do not use AI to write anything on our websites or to create any of our images. We will never do it because I feel it's simply 'not real' and when you are looking at buying a garment or accessory online you don't have the option to feel it or try it on. So you need to trust that the images are showing how that garment looks and how it looks on a real person. There are many apps now that can take a photo, any photo of a garment simply lying on the ground and miraculously create an image of it on a body! But this is not how it works in real life, not how that garment will look in 3D on a real body. The virtual try on apps use this same technology but superimpose the garments onto a photo of you that you upload. There is no consideration for all the usual human lumps and bumps and general individual body variations. I could go on and on about this subject.... but I will leave it here having pointed out the main reason we don't use AI. 
Above is a selection of some of our beautiful models, Lou, Amanda, Heather, Rachel and Wilhelmina looking awesome and not needing filters or photoshopping!
Photoshop is another tool that we don't use to edit out the human aspects of our models. When you look at our product pics, they are how the garment looks on that model, complete with fabric folds as they go around the bust, hips, arms etc and how the garment looks when you move or pose that way. We also leave any blemish or scar the may have as they are part of that model and their life so far. So I probably don't need to also point out that we never use filters either. We do colour correct as much as we can to ensure our garments are as close the real life colour. But every computer, phone and tablet screen looks different so perfect colour matching isn't achievable.
Below shows the same dress photographed outside and inside. The grevillea printed fabric looks more green inside and more grey outside. Every light source reflects the tones differently. Note: this dress and fabric was a limited edition print from 2017 and there are no garments available, sorry.
You may notice that our online store, Sustainable Fashion, has got a new look. This refresh we think is easier to browse and shows our product images all together side by side. We hope you find it user friendly and that all the relevant info is clear and visible.
We made a conscious decision to keep our website simple and without sound or video because life has become over stimulating with competing messages everywhere. One thing I find annoying on websites is the pop up windows that ask you to sign up for a newsletter etc. We may miss out on the opportunity to get more newsletter subscribers but having to close a continual pop up window request makes the online experience less and we think it's the best option for us and our customers.
Over the past decade the fashion calendar has changed drastically. When we started RANT back in 2003 the usual thing was to do 2 collections a year. They were divided into smaller drops over 3 months, but in essence they were summer and winter. People waited to see what they were and it was exciting to choose which pieces you wanted to add to your seasonal wardrobe. Gradually there were extra seasons added, then the amount of collections ramped up till the Fast Fashion giants started doing monthly, then weekly drops of new styles.
We felt the pressure to increase amount of new products we made too, as everyone was wanting something new... As a designer I felt kinda sad that my special collections didn't seem to have a very long lifespan! We were doing 4-5 collections a year between our two labels RANT and Bestowed. I felt like I was on the conveyer belt of production, having to dream up totally new concepts and styles multiple times a year. I was heading towards burn out and had to address it before I no longer enjoyed what I was doing.
The only choice I had was to regroup and return to a more meaningful schedule where I would have the time to immerse myself in one collection and not have 2 or 3 on the go at once. Since 2021 we have slowed down and reduced the offering and by the time we reached 2025 we had returned to 2 collections for the year.
Recently I was looking at the past collections I have designed, both RANT and Bestowed and saw that I have designed over 60 collections! No wonder I was feeling a little 'over stretched' creatively!
Above is Dakotah on the sewing machine making the 20 year anniversary bags.
Our collections are very personal to me because they are not just a selection of unrelated styles photographed together, but a cohesive collection created to a theme and having it's own soundtrack too. That is why I do a Journal story for each new collection giving the inspiration for the collection and what it's all about.
Above is some of the printed catalogues we did for the RANT collections between 2013 - 2015. Each it's own theme, fabrics and styles.
Many of the styles that have made a come back in recent times have done so because we have received customer requests. I am not able to simply reproduce any past style, but when I have multiple emails /messages asking for certain styles it does make me investigate if that style can be revived and included in a future collection. So if your favourite garment of ours is looking well loved and needs to finally be replaced, email me and I will add it to my 'customer wish list'.
Below is the Nancy top from 2017 then again in 2025, both on our model Zhoe, 8 years apart.
As we have slowed down and reduced our production to about 70% less than what we made prior to 2021, this has meant we had to narrow down our selection. We also produce less garments in each style and in the last RANT collection 'Synthesis' we only cut and made 2 of each size and colour in most styles. We then took pre-orders and hand cut the remaining fabric into the sizes needed. And the vintage silk styles we have been taking special orders for individual requests, some being custom sizing and lengths. As it's just my son Dakotah and I working here at the RANT studio, we spend our days cutting lots of small orders and topping up our ongoing styles as they sell out. So if you are after a size that's no longer available, contact us to see if we are able to cut one for you or let you know if they're in the pipeline.
Below is Dakotah and I out the front of our home studio.
If you live in our near our home town of Brisbane you may have come along to one of our Pop Up Events. Since 2023 we have had these events underneath the cute independent bookstore Scrumptious Reads in Red Hill Brisbane. We had been trying to do these twice a year but from 2026 the Pop Up's will be an annual event on the last weekend of May. The reason being that it's a huge effort to set up a complete retail store with around 1000 items and that we need to avoid the summer storms! Our Pop Up last November had to be cut short on the Saturday as a huge storm came through. I know you can never be sure the weekend chosen will be perfect weather, but in June it wont be 30+ degrees (like our March 2025 one) or be during a cyclone or summer storm. This way it will be cooler temps however we will have to work out what we bring to the event as far as summer weight garments etc. These events are perfect for you to feel the fabrics, try on the styles and say HI to us.
This has been a very text heavy Journal entry, but I wanted to share some of the things I have been thinking about lately. Our business has gone through so many changes over the past 23 years, and this is how we have regrouped going forward.
Remember that if you want to ask anything either Dakotah or myself will be able to answer any questions. Our office/studio hours have been reduced but we will always return phone calls, texts and emails within a day or two. Also, our home studio isn't a retail store, it's a working studio, but we do parcel pick up's and exchanges by appointment.
Thanks for reading,
Cheers,
Sarah
Below is one of my best mates, joining me for morning Yoga.
2 comments
Hello I have been meaning to ask for eve,r if you be making your pants in white again or a light colour. My first Rant pants I bought in Beechworth Vic and were 3 quarter pants with my beloved fold down waistband and a diffrent fabric at bottom of pants. That was I think 12 or more years ago & I have been hooked on your pants, in particular with fold down waistband ever since, in both Helen & Rambler styles. But at some point no more white pants, which are very good in hot weather, seem to be made by you. :( I still have my white pants but now the waistband is on its last legs and I have no been able to find any white or light coloured pants I like. Hoping you might consider doing them again. Many thanks Anna
Hi Sarah (and Dakota), I’ve just read your journal entry and wanted say I totally respect and admire your decisions regarding how you operate and am so glad you’re taking care of yourselves and staying true to your values…please avoid burnout! 🙏
I’ve worn and continue to wear many of your designs over the years including the Helen pants in various fabrics. I’m still wearing daily some Helen pants that I was told at Department of the Exterior in Canberra, were the last batch of Australian made denim. They’ve lasted amazingly! And look fabulous. So glad you’re continuing to plan for the future – I know it must be a super challenging industry to operate in. With gratitude, Megan
