February 09, 2012
fashion designer rebecca mcgeoch
After travelling to Egypt, and using a 16-gauge cashmere wrap to keep cool during the day and warm at night, Rebecca McGeoch decided to launch a fashion collection focussed on her newfound favourite fibre. After studying economics and fashion, Rebecca was well-placed to launch the label Gasparre Cashmere, which has an aesthetic that nods to her Australian as well as Italian heritage. An intrepid traveller, Rebecca has sourced the finest cashmere from the kel goat, which is found in remote areas of high altitude regions in Central Asia. The higher the altitude, the finer the yarn. Not surprisingly, Rebecca's first collection sold out.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? The foundations for my business came from what I learned at uni during my economics degree as well as working part time in design during that time. Since then I’ve applied what I know to my own business and learnt a whole lot more along the way.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Don’t put all your eggs in one basket! It’s essential to always have a back-up plan because things can go wrong very easily in between the idea phase and the execution.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Wrapping up my first collection and seeing my range alongside established labels in my favourite high-end boutiques. I still get a great buzz when I see my garments on strangers in the street; it’s always rewarding to see how different people interpret my garments and incorporate them into their own wardrobe and sense of style.
What’s been your best decision? To take the plunge in starting my own label, allowing me to see my ideas through to fruition. I love the whole process of putting together a collection from the initial mood board and sketches right through to production.
Who inspires you? People who are constantly challenging themselves and pushing beyond the boundaries always inspire me. Kelly Wearstler is one such woman whom I find inspiring. She is an interior designer who has her own range, who is constantly collaborating with other like-minded people, and who is always creating and completing her own projects. I find it inspiring when people in business are constantly diversifying and seizing new opportunities and creating new goals.
What are you passionate about? Beyond fashion I am extremely passionate about travel and experiencing the world beyond my own. I find other cultures and people inspiring and am always absorbing what’s around me, including architecture and the interior spaces within. I’ve also just bought myself a new SLR Camera I carry everywhere and it appears now photography is being added to my list of passions.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Cleopatra. Her legend is the ultimate icon of femininity.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? There are too many to list, so here is a snapshot:
Personal - To renew my vows with my husband in Venice.
Experiential - To take a boat from Argentina to Antarctica.
Professional - To continue building my brand internationally.
What are you reading? Eco Chic The Savvy Shopper’s Guide to Ethical Fashion by Matilda Lee – I currently dip in and out of this, because I am conscious of the negative effect that fashion has on the environment and it is important to me to absolutely minimise the effect that my own label has. Trading Up by Candace Bushnell - Like a chick-flick in a novel. It’s a bit trashy, but good fun to escape into.
images courtesy of gasparre