If you don’t yet know her by name, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen her vibrant fashion creations sashaying down Aussie runways, making appearances at The Grammys, ARIAs and Logies, or as bespoke pieces for the likes of Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus or Ru Paul’s Drag Race. She’s a Brisbane based multidisciplinary artist: designer, stylist, author, speaker, content maker and the list goes on. Everly magazine chats to Rachel about decking the halls, festive fun with handmade gifts and all things creativity and inspiration.
You create a wide range of wonderous and amazing pieces, how would you best describe what it is you do?
I describe myself as a multidisciplinary artist – I don’t like to limit myself or my practice, as I love working across many disciplines.
Was this an intentional career path or did it just happen serendipitously? Were you a crafty kid?
This all happened serendipitously – but with a lot of hard work and effort over the last 12 years. I was a very crafty kid. I still remember how much I loved my primary school art room and was just obsessed with all the materials I could use.
I also loved other forms of creativity too like performing and writing – I used to write books as a kid and actually wrote a complete (albeit terrible) novel when I was 15. I have just always loved doing all the creative things!
One of my teachers at school once actually wrote on my report card that I would be a lot more successful if I just focused on doing one thing well… but it was never possible… and here we are! Jack of all trades… but master of FUN, I reckon!
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from all around me – my brain is always ticking and I’m hyperaware of keeping an eye out for inspiring moments. I love thrift stores, material shops and bargain stores… I love materials that look a bit aged or vintage. There is something about a faded beauty and sickly colours that just lights me up…
To continue reading our interview with Rachel Burke, please visit the Everly Mag Shop where you’ll find Issue 4. Please note, this mag is a ‘digital only’ issue.
You can also check out Rachel’s creations online.
(First photo by Nat McComas. Second photo by Melanie Hinds.)