Refined design: Inside Rebe Burgess’s creative vision and her collaboration with Range Rover

24 December 2024
By Fashion Quarterly

How the acclaimed designer’s thoughtful approach to creativity brought elegance and innovation to her collaboration with Range Rover Velar.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH LAND ROVER

Photography: Holly Sarah Burgess.

With her brand REBE, designer Rebe Burgess has crafted a modern aesthetic defined by intentional simplicity and timeless silhouettes. Each piece is created to suit multifaceted lives, merging elegance with practicality. Recently, her collaboration with Range Rover Velar PHEV reflects her ethos of functional luxury, as both her fashion and the vehicle embody a commitment to understated sophistication. In this conversation, Rebe reveals her approach to creating garments that are as effortless as they are elevated and shares the inspiration driving her latest collection.

Design approach and brand

The aesthetic DNA of REBE is grounded in dressing with intention. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to serve its purpose in a multifaceted life — balancing form and function in a way that feels both polished and easy to wear. The foundational elements of REBE centre around subtle, refined details that elevate each design, high-quality materials that promise longevity, and versatile silhouettes that adapt seamlessly to any setting.

Our design approach focuses on developing styles that complement our customers and are adaptable to their daily requirements. From our first RTW collection, I focused on foundational pieces, layering in refined tailoring, effortless lines, and luxurious fabrications. As we continue to evolve, our product ranges are expanding but remain grounded in quality and thoughtful design. We hope our customers can wear each piece with confidence, becoming a versatile and lasting favourite in their wardrobes.

We want to source high-quality fabrics that we know will stand the test of time but also have a beautiful hand feel. Natural fibres, such as wool, cotton, and leather, are staples in our collections. We work closely with trusted artisans and suppliers to ensure each garment reflects our attention to detail and commitment to durability. I’m also very particular about how our pieces fit so the sampling process often ends up taking longer than it should, but we ultimately end up with a garment that fits well and flatters.

For me, minimalism is about celebrating clean lines and classic silhouettes. Introducing subtle details, like an unexpected drape, shoulder pads, or unique fabrications, can make a classic more contemporary and relevant. While building on our previous narrative of redefining and elevating the classics, our Resort ’25 collection showcases versatile pieces that align with the ease of a holiday-inspired lifestyle. This collection marks the debut of our denim line, a category we’ve been developing since our initial steps into ready-to-wear. As someone who wears denim almost daily, this is a very exciting milestone for the brand! We’ve also collaborated with local artist and friend Brogan Scott to create our first custom-printed sarong, inspired by a love of travel.

Photography: Holly Sarah Burgess.

On the Range Rover Velar PHEV

I love how the Velar’s design allows its form to speak for itself, and that’s exactly the approach we take with our collections — designs that feel elegant and purposeful. It’s about making an impact with fewer, more intentional elements. From the outside, the Velar looks sleek and sophisticated, with clean lines, flush door handles, and slim headlights. The refined design resonates with our approach to fashion, where every detail serves a purpose and enhances the overall aesthetic. The interior takes this further with the luxe yet practical touches, like premium leather and a comfortable layout.

For us, functional luxury is all about creating pieces that seamlessly fit into daily life, blending quality, comfort, and versatility. It’s about making sure each design not only looks great but also works effortlessly, offering both style and practicality. It’s amazing to connect with a brand that holds such high standards, and their commitment to thoughtful, intentional design aligns closely with our values at REBE.

Photography: Holly Sarah Burgess.
Photography: Holly Sarah Burgess.

I loved how smooth the Velar is to drive — it feels effortless yet robust and safe on the road. The space is the key [benefit] for me — I’m always moving stock, samples, fabrics, and other essentials around the city.

The Velar’s sleek, compact design is perfect for city driving, yet it doesn’t compromise on interior space, making it ideal for work! The Velar has become my mobile workspace, especially with the busy lead-up to our Resort collection launch — meeting with clients, dropping samples to photo shoots, and visiting our distributor to see all of our new product deliveries. Two podcasts I listen to [when driving] religiously are The Cutting Room Floor and The Curve — both are must-listens!

One memorable experience was packing up the Velar with samples and driving around the CBD for our Resort campaign shoot. It was such a fun day on set with photographer Holly Burgess, make-up artist Rae Sacha, and model Alaina Granger from Unique. I’m so grateful for the incredible women I get to collaborate with.

Photography: Holly Sarah Burgess.

Looking forward

I’m really inspired by all the amazing creatives and businesswomen in my life! People like Holly Burgess (photographer), Lauren and Sarah from Harris Tapper, Jasmin of Jasmin Sparrow, and Brogan Scott (artist) — just to name a few. It’s so cool to see these incredible women out there making their mark.

At REBE we are constantly refining our design and production process, and I’m excited to expand our offerings and explore new categories. We want to continue creating clothes for women we admire and keep growing our markets both domestically and internationally.

To me, luxury is about ease — time, comfort, and simplicity. It’s about creating space to enjoy what matters without complications. In our designs, this means pieces that are both elegant and practical. We aim to create garments that are effortless, where quality and fit make getting dressed a seamless experience. Chic, confident, and comfortable.

This article originally appeared in Fashion Quarterly‘s Summer 2025 ‘Celebration’ Issue. 

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