Worth the Rant

Thanks to Alexandra from Style Magazine for the lovely write-up. See the full June issue of Style here...

Behind the scenes at Rant

It seems that with any business, particularly in design, a product is an expression of the people and environment behind the scenes. While we have been operating since 2003, it has been away from the spotlight of mainstream fashion. We have noticed that with a heightened interest in sustainable fashion, comes a heightened interest in who we are and what we do.

You can write a great blurb about your business, and all the sustainable things we do around our office, though when you look at it what people are really asking is what and who is at the centre of Rant.

We have a small team at Rant, lead by the designer Sarah, who does have a New Zealand heritage though has spent most of her working life in Australia. Taking time off to raise her son mid-career, also gave her a grounded view on the world, and is definitely reflected in the wearability of each Rant design.

Between Melinda and myself, along with Sarah, the three of us work with a variety of other home businesses around Brisbane to produce world class quality designer clothing all within a 30km radius of one another. From design to patterns, cutting and sewing, each person enjoys being at home for their families, something we think is also more sustainable than having to travel and work in a warehouse or factory every day.

Mel busy at work, Sarah working hard & behind the scenes at a recent photoshoot with Kate and Mel

It is something we probably take for granted, but with Melinda's help, from our home base we operate a studio for design, sampling and administration, as well as a stockroom where we check, tag and dispatch all our garments. Our newly renovated upstairs area even doubled as a photography studio recently (picture on the far right). While this inventive use of space sometimes come from necessity, the basis of it now thinking about it, is probably to demonstrate that we all can actually do a lot more with what we already have around us.

Our other efforts at demonstrating sustainable business practices such as recycling, donating to local charities (ARF & WPSQ), the use of 100% greenpower, use of recycled kraft for shipping our clothes etc. are important, but sustainability really is much more than even the sum of these things and has to come from a place of authenticity.

Stevia growing in the herb garden, visitors to the studio & another garden picture

...sustainability really is much more than even the sum of these things and has to come from a place of authenticity.

Being able to work at home, we are also lucky in being able to look after our garden easily. Growing our own vegetables and herbs, harvesting our own water and composting all organic waste in a tumbler or wormfarm. These are personal passions for Sarah and myself and for obvious reasons spill over into the operation of our business. The herb garden provides a lovely ritual for sampling different herbal teas at morning tea time, and we also get regular visits from the King Parrots being close to a National Park.

So we hope this provides a little glimpse into the world of Rant. The level of detail that goes into producing our clothing carries through into our genuine belief in the benefits for both economy and environment, by working towards more sustainable business practices. Products produced with care and designed to last past a single season, requires a slight shift in thinking for some people, though excitingly we are already witnessing these changes.

Enjoyed reading ? Please let us know and contact us on the blog or our main website... we do always reply... well leave a contact number just in case you make an error typing your email address.

- Jason

PS Check out my recent article on Eco Fashion at Urban Times here..