Ripped in 87 Australia

MY STORY

I have always believed that feeling good in what you wear has a huge impact on your mood and your confidence ….. and I have always put thought into what I wear … Every outfit ….every day …. even my “stay at home and do the house work” outfit.  For me, what I wear is more important than where I am going 🙂  So I guess starting my own clothing label was a natural progression …. it was meant to be. 

Why “Ripped in 87”? Well … I had to improvise if I wanted to be wearing the latest gear in my teens, so I made my own or re-vamped what I already had. One of my favourite pieces was a pair of old jeans that I ripped, bleached and rocked when I was 15, way back in 1987. Ripped in ‘87! R87. My brand was born and I am now where I always dreamt I would be. 

All Australian. Dreamt. Created. Owned.

Jess x

Australian Made and Owned

Clothing isn’t my only passion. Keeping our Australian Manufacturing Industry alive is also very important to me and I have spent many hours sourcing “Australian made” wherever possible.

I know that choosing to source and manufacture within Australia is more expensive than going offshore, but to me it is worth the price tag in quality, sustainability and sovereignty.

From start to finish ….

  • Some of the cotton is still grown in parts throughout Australia and sent offshore to be spun.
  • Our Cotton is then knitted, dyed and finished to a beautiful 320 gsm fabric by our 100% Australian owned and operated Textile Manufacturer in Victoria, Australia
  • The fabric is then meticulously cut and sewn into our unique designs by our amazing and hardworking Clothing manufacturer and their team in Adelaide, South Australia.
  • Each piece is beautifully embroidered by first class embroidery specialists who are also located in Adelaide South Australia.
  • Our garments are trimmed with intricately woven labels and badges by a Custom Badge specialist in NSW Australia.
  • The eyelets on our garments are made by a third generation Australian Eyelet Manufacturer in Victoria, Australia.
  • Our elastic is sourced from an Australian Company in Victoria that has been making quality elastic since 1948.
  • Your piece will be wrapped in a funky R87 logo ribbon made from recycled plastic bottles that is sourced from a ribbon manufacturer in Victoria, Australia
  • To top it off, our quality swing tags are also made locally in Adelaide south Australia
  • All sold through our R87 website which has been designed by our amazing and talented web site designers here in Clare South Australia.

And what about our extras? Well our cool R87 Car Decals are perfectly hand made by Lisa in Burra South Australia. 

Our original stock of air fresheners were sourced offshore. We now have the option of Australian made, extremely funky, re-usable felt fresheners scented with Australian 100% pure essential oils. Each piece has been hand made by our gorgeous and gifted R87 model and artist Vanessa, right here in the Clare Valley.

I am very proud of our Australian Manufacturing Industries and I am proud of you!  By purchasing R87, you are doing your bit to support them.

We all thank you x

3 Generations - 1 Runway

From our family to yours...

Being selected as designers for Cairns Fashion Week in Cairns, QLD was a moment filled with nerves, excitement, and a whole lot of heart. On the runway, we presented 10 looks, from our elevated Victorian Puff to the launch of our Tennis Vibe Designer’s Choice Crews – each piece thoughtfully created as part of our journey.

But our most unforgettable moment came with the final walk. Millicent (8) made her runway debut wearing a Custom Crew, confidently stepping onto the runway and into the next generation of R87. It was a proud and special moment for our entire family.

Cairns Fashion Week was more than just a showcase, it was a celebration of who we are. R87 is a family-run brand, crafted across generations, with quality designed to be loved for generations. We are deeply proud to support Australian manufacturing and local textile and trimmings industries. Every piece we create reflects not only our values, but the hands and hearts behind them.

Pictured backstage during fittings are three generations of our family – Jess (left), her granddaughter Millicent, and Jess’s daughter (right), who is our Social Media and Marketing Manager. A quiet moment behind the scenes that captures the spirit of R87: family, craftsmanship, and slow fashion.

This was our very first runway, and it meant everything to share it together. You can see more from our Cairns Fashion Week debut over on our social media.

Hailey x