“My supply chain is very unconventional.”
Based in Tamaki Makaurau, Aotearoa, Kayla Rousselle’s been an avid sewer since she was 11. Although style was at all times a part of her life, it wasn’t till 2021 that Kayla was pushed to enterprise out on her personal and commit totally to her model.
She was working at a bridal firm in her first 12 months out of college, whereas additionally making a debut assortment to present at New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW). Then, abruptly, NZFW was cancelled and Kayla was made redundant. “I’m honestly really happy in the end that I was made redundant because it’s what pushed me to launch Banshee,” she says.
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When describing her label in the present day, she doesn’t miss a beat: “The Banshee diva is someone who wants to stand out from the crowd,” Kayla tells me. “Banshee is all about helping hot people, party girls and baddies to be their true selves.” Whether that’s through striped micro shorts, braided tops, uneven cuts, reconstructed leather-based jackets or mesh gloves, Banshee is the embodiment of “screaming, howling and dancing through to the AM”.
Made from nearly totally upcycled supplies, Kayla describes her label’s provide chain as “unconventional”. Anything is usually a cloth – from repurposed op store gems to varied supplies sourced on Trade Me. “As soon as people know you upcycle, you end up with a never-ending supply chain from those around you.”
Fashion Journal: Hi Kayla! What’s your style background and the place are you based mostly?
Kayla: Kia ora! I’ve been stitching from the age of 11 and began off by coming into in a contest known as ‘Trash to Fashion’, which actually sparked the pleasure of garment creation for me. I studied at Whitecliffe which is an arts faculty right here in Tamaki. So my background in style began off much more artwork and idea based mostly. These days I’ve discovered my distinct methods I take advantage of all through my clothes over the previous couple of years are ready to inform the story of Banshee rather a lot clearer than an idea may.
How did Banshee get began? Talk us through the course of and the challenges.
During 2021 I used to be working for a bridal firm in my first 12 months out of uni. It was an excellent expertise in additional methods than one. I learnt a whole lot of invaluable instruments that I nonetheless use to at the present time. But it additionally confirmed me the darkish aspect of working in the trade and company greed.
During the finish of my time at this firm I used to be engaged on a set for New Zealand Fashion Week. Basically two actually shit issues occurred without delay: New Zealand Fashion week was cancelled and I used to be made redundant. I’m actually actually joyful in the finish that I used to be made redundant as a result of it’s what pushed me to launch Banshee. I had limitless time in lockdowns with nothing to do however sew.
What had been you making an attempt to obtain from the mission at the time and how has this developed?
I initially wished to make a very stunning assortment for Fashion Week that I assumed would stick with folks however in the finish it developed into the beginning of my model. I believe in the 4 years since beginning it there have undoubtedly been shifts and my present purpose is unquestionably to have enjoyable with style.
Fashion is much too severe today and I’m over it. However, the messaging surrounding sustainability remains to be the coronary heart of what I do.
Can you inform me a bit about the way you supply your supplies and your provide chain?
My clothes are just about 100 per cent upcycled and my provide chain could be very unconventional. I supply from throughout the place, the op store, Trade Me, even your mum’s greatest buddy. As quickly as folks know you upcycle, you find yourself with a endless provide chain from these round you.
How would you describe your label to somebody who’s by no means seen it earlier than?
The Banshee diva is somebody who needs to stand out from the crowd. Banshee is all about serving to scorching folks, occasion women and baddies to be their true selves. Screaming, howling and dancing through to the AM. Banshee’s purpose is to hold you serving c*nt.
What are you most happy with in your work on Banshee?
I’m extraordinarily happy with how I’m ready to signify myself and my group. As a queer lady, it’s a large precedence for me to platform folks I relate to! It makes the Banshee message very clear that my clothes are made for anybody and everybody daring sufficient to put on Banshee. I’m additionally very happy with my skill to stand so strongly in my values of upcycling. We have a lot textile waste on this earth there is no such thing as a motive to create extra when there’s current cloth waste to create from.
What do you would like you’d recognized while you began?
I actually assume I want I knew how to work in a extra sustainable approach from the starting. Burn out after burn out, I’ve now gotten to a degree the place I do know when to give myself breaks. It’s not a dash, it’s a marathon and you’ve gotten to give your self time to relaxation.
Who do you assume is most fun in Australian and New Zealand style proper now?
I solely search for to my friends at this level. Mainstay manufacturers don’t actually curiosity me anymore and majority of the time it seems like they’re ripping us small manufacturers off anyway. People like Jenny Ruan, Sleeping ProfitKong and many extra small designers right here in Tamaki Makaurau continually go away me in awe and inspire me to hold going.
What about the style trade wants to change?
I can solely actually converse to New Zealand as a result of from the exterior taking a look at Australia, it looks like you guys have a way more fruitful style trade. I want the New Zealand authorities would acknowledge style as an artwork type and give us funding grants. There are a whole lot of nice initiatives happening which might be totally run on free labour out of affection for wanting younger folks to be platformed. Last season, I produced two exhibits for Āhua and it jogged my memory that funding wants to be much more accessible for style initiatives.
Who could be your dream Australian and New Zealand collaborators?
Karla Laidlaw and Emily Watson! I’d be so honoured to work with both of those baddies, I’ve admired each of their work from afar for a very very long time.
Who is in your wardrobe proper now?
I’m a large thrift girly, so most of the clothes I personal are secondhand. My favorite piece I’ve purchased secondhand is my Vivienne Westwood hoodie, lots of people refer to it as my cartoon character default match. Other than that a whole lot of random manufacturers, I don’t actually store based mostly on manufacturers, it’s extra whether or not the garment speaks to me and feels prefer it’s one thing I’ll get a whole lot of use out of.
How can we purchase considered one of your items?
I’m stocked at Crushes in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) and Bizarre Bazaar in Pōneke (Wellington) which each promote on-line! I additionally promote on instagram.
Keep up with Banshee right here.