Ricepaper The Label was founded in 2018 by Eve Walton-Healey who has always had a passion for design.
After completing a degree, Eve worked in various roles in the fashion industry for 5 years before launching Ricepaper The Label in 2018 with the intention of introducing simple, elegant and ethical clothing into the industry.
One of the biggest influences which shaped the label was Eve’s travels to third world countries where she experienced first hand the exploitation of women and children making clothes for the western world.
“I was determined to make a transparent label, and after trialling a few ideas I decided to always manufacture in Australia so the supply chain is honest and transparent”- Says Eve.
This was the foundation on which Ricepaper The Label was based. Each collection since 2018 has since been designed and manufactured in Melbourne, offering garments to inspire self confidence and that are timeless, versatile and will become treasures in your wardrobe.
Ricepaper also supports 100% transparency in sourcing and production and mindful consumption.
Read on below for my interview with Eve.
How would you best describe Ricepaper The Label’s design aesthetic & ethos?
While designs are simple I have tried to encompass some classical techniques within each style.
Each garment is carefully made to be versatile and timeless. It is important that a garment serves more than one purpose and is a treasure in a wardrobe for many years. This fits in with the ethos of sustainability and minimising waste.
Can you tell us a little bit about your creative process/ and how you like to work
The creative process is not always what people imagine, often an idea hits on public transport or in the car driving to see one of our suppliers.
For the designs and concepts I do like to isolate myself for a few days to get it all on paper before liaising to produce samples.
What’s a typical day at the studio/office for you?
A lot of my role with Ricepaper requires me to move around for meetings, resourcing and liaising. There is no real typical day as each day presents new challenges.
What are the top 3 resources that you turn to for inspiration when designing?
Firstly the natural environment around me often sparks a thought or an idea in terms of shape, colour or texture.
Secondly the shape of the female body and sampling often inspires ideas and changes to the original concept.
Thirdly the choice of fabrics often determines which direction a collection moves. The time and energy spent on researching and seeking the ideal fabric is enormous in the inspiration.
How would you describe your own personal style?
I think the clothes you wear determine your mood for the day so you will never see me in trackies.
I’m not going to lie, I like to spend time in the morning grooming and getting ready for the day even if this means getting out of bed earlier. I love to look fashionable yet casual and you will usually spot me running around in Ricepaper.
What are 5 essentials in your wardrobe?
Layers, lounge pants, dresses, a coat, & comfortable shoes.
Where is your favourite place to shop?
2020 has presented an opportunity for headspace to redesign space in the home so presently I love going to designer homeware stores.
Tell us about some of the people in the industry who inspire you and why?
Lady Petrova has always believed in me and supported me in various ways on my journey. Her creative energy alongside her practical thoughts have always pushed me to think laterally.
What would be your ideal collaboration?
In the future my ideal collaboration would be with a boutique textile manufacturer to look at creating some unique textured fabrics to include in future collections.
What challenges/opportunities have you faced this year due to Covid-19?
Covid has provided Ricepaper with increased opportunities to sell online tapping into the circumstances of the time.
For example I launched the first loungewear collection with much success. I have also had to expand each collection as demand has increased. It has been challenging to stay inspired but I have found ways to be more inspired around the home, doing yoga and meditating.
What else is on the cards for Ricepaper The Label in the coming weeks/months?
Ricepaper The Label is growing and demanding more organisation for the next two years.
There are a few more launches to come out in the lead up to Christmas including our first sleepwear range. Then from then onwards sampling for next spring/summer and finalising materials and manufacturing for our next collection which is dropping from March next year.