Ruby Pedder receives Australia’s largest emerging designer prize: Ubank’s Feel-Good Fashion Fund

 

Australia’s award-winning digital bank, ubank, has announced Ruby Pedder as the 2024 honouree of its Feel-Good Fashion Fund, Australia’s newest and largest emerging fashion designer prize.

In its second year, the Feel-Good Fashion Fund is a collaboration between ubank, renowned local fashion designer Jordan Gogos, and Harper’s BAZAAR Australia and New Zealand in an effort to uncover, nurture and support the next generation of local design talent.

Ruby Pedder, a 24-year-old emerging designer based in Sydney, has been recognised for her exceptional talent and innovative designs. A recent graduate of the University of Technology Sydney, Ruby and her brand Rube Pedder (spelled with an ‘e’), gained significant attention last year when one of her creations was worn by Jennie Kim, a member of the globally acclaimed K-pop girl group, Blackpink.

As this year’s Feel-Good Fashion Fund honouree, Ruby will access a cash-prize of $30,000, the largest financial support available in Australia solely for emerging designers. Additionally, Ruby will benefit from ubank’s exclusive mentorship program that provides access to executives and experts in the fields of finance, marketing, brand and strategy, helping accelerate the growth of her business management skills and professional development. Ruby will also receive extensive industry exposure through Harper’s BAZAAR Australia and New Zealand, a key partner in the initiative.

Ubank’s Feel-Good Fashion Fund aims to foster Australian talent by supporting the creation of locally made pieces. Ruby’s work will influence a limited run ready-to-wear capsule collection funded by ubank, with industry recognition provided by Harper’s BAZAAR. This collaboration is designed to propel Ruby’s career in the fashion industry, providing her with the resources and visibility needed to succeed.

This year, as the honouree of the fund, Ruby has received a unique physical art piece award designed by emerging Australian textural abstract artist Henryk. The award symbolises the pinnacle achievement represented by the Feel-Good Fashion Fund and will become a feature of the Fund going forward.

Ubank’s Chief Product and Growth Officer, Andrew Morrison, said: “Ruby’s talent and vision is truly inspiring, and we look forward to seeing her impact on the fashion industry. Our ongoing partnership with Harper’s BAZAAR ensures that emerging designers like Ruby can continue to receive the industry recognition and support they deserve.

“We understand just how savvy young talents are when it comes to setting themselves up financially, and how important good money management tools and resources are. It’s why we’re proud to continue the Feel-Good Fashion Fund as a way to address this crucial gap in Australia’s fashion industry — the lack of vital financial and mentoring support of up-and-coming local designers” he said.

Ruby expressed her excitement about being chosen as the recipient, saying, “It is an amazing honour to be the recipient of this year’s Ubank  Feel-Good Fashion Fund. I am so grateful to ubank for the ongoing support and am looking forward to collaborating on pieces that reflect the innovation and creativity of Australian fashion.”

Jordan Gogos, last year’s recipient of the Ubank Feel-Good Fashion Fund, shared his experience, saying, “Receiving ubank’s inaugural Feel-Good Fashion Fund in 2023 was pivotal for my career. For the first time, I was able to produce 1,500 ready-to-wear pieces because of the financial support received from ubank. I am excited to see how Ruby will utilise this platform to elevate her work and make her mark in the fashion world.”