Australian fashion designer Ruby Pedder has shifted her one-off couture business into ready-to-wear after winning a cash injection via Ubank’s Feel-Good Fashion Fund last year.
The fashion fund provides $30,000 to support emerging fashion designers in Australia, alongside mentorship, to help accelerate their business.
Pedder is the founder and creative director of her eponymous label Rube Pedder. Her designs have been featured at Australian Fashion Week, and have been worn by celebrities such as Katy Perry, Blackpink’s Jennie Kim, rapper Genesis Owusu and electro-pop outfit Confidence Man.
With the backing of Ubank’s Feel-Good Fashion Fund, Pedder expands beyond her signature one-off couture pieces into ready-to-wear fashion for a wider audience.
The limited-edition ready-to-wear collection, called ‘elevated streetwear’ by Pedder, includes bold digital prints, silk shirts, and a premium cotton cap.
“This collaboration with Ubank has given me access to opportunities I never thought possible and has firmly put a spotlight on my brand,” Pedder said.
“The financial support from Ubank has allowed me to explore ready-to-wear production while staying true to my artistic vision. Beyond money, the mentorship opportunities with Ubank are helping to develop my business and marketing skills, which are areas of growth that will set me up for success over the longer term.”
The fund was originally launched in 2023, with fashion designer Jordan Gogos – the founder and creative director of Iordanes Spyridon Gogos – receiving the award.
“Through the Feel-Good Fashion Fund, Ubank is making a meaningful impact in the creative industry by supporting emerging Australian designers where funding is often limited – and Ruby Pedder’s latest collection is a testament to what happens when creativity meets the right financial support,” Ubank chief product and growth officer Andrew Morrison said.
National peak body, the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), shared their support for the ongoing investment in local designers.
AFC CEO Jaana Quaintance-James emphasised that investment in emerging designers must go beyond creativity and include critical business support to help build a thriving industry.
“Fashion is not just about creativity – it’s a business, and success relies on strong financial foundations, mentorship, and strategic growth,” she said. “Young Australian designers are bringing innovative solutions, from new raw materials to digital platforms, but scaling these innovations requires industry support and funding to turn ideas into viable businesses.
“That’s why initiatives like Ubank’s Feel-Good Fashion Fund are so valuable — not only do they provide essential capital, but they also equip designers with the mentorship and business acumen needed to create sustainable, long-term success.”
Pedder’s new streetwear edit is available to new Ubank customers, via a social media campaign in March. To mark the launch of her ready-to-wear range, Ubank hosted a TikTok treasure hunt for a Rube Pedder streetwear prize pack.
“We’re incredibly proud of the impact the Feel-Good Fashion Fund is having, supporting emerging talent and empowering the next generation of Australian designers to bring their creative vision to life,” Morrison said.
“Following last year’s overwhelmingly positive response to the launch of the initiative, we are excited to engage our customers and online community with fresh content featuring these bold designs.”