MEET RACHEL SOPHIA STUDIO

An interview with Rachel Sophia Studio: Where texture tells a story, and design begins with feeling.

Built on an obsession with material, mood, and form, Rachel Sophia Studios is less a brand and more a tactile experience. What began as a personal exploration of texture and self-expression has evolved into a design studio crafting sculptural accessories and garments that blur the lines between fashion, art, and craft.

Founded by textile designer Rachel Sophia, the studio is guided by intuition, sensory connection, and a commitment to creating pieces that feel as good as they look. From hand-knitted silhouettes to reversible bags and textural swimwear, each piece is designed to be worn, touched, and remembered.

We sat down with Rachel to talk about emotional design, trusting the process, and how texture can transform the way we show up in the world.

Q&A

Let’s start at the beginning. What made you want to build something of your own — and what shape did you want it to take?

I’m not sure if you’re familiar with the concept of Ikigai, but it was a strong starting point for me, that sweet spot where what you love, what you’re good at, and what the world needs all intersect. I spent a lot of time reflecting on that. What came out of it was this deep pull toward design, not just creating beautiful things, but building an experience around them.

I realised my favourite part of design wasn’t one moment, it was the whole process. From concept to creation, I’m most inspired when I’m pulling ideas from everyday textures, architecture, emotion and nature. Translating those references into wearables.

The studio started as a form of self-expression, and it still is. However it’s grown into something more intentional: a space to explore how texture, form, and feeling can encourage women to express their own unique style. I want each piece to carry a sensory connection, something timeless and tactile that draws people in, that makes them feel confident and special.

Your work sits somewhere between fashion, sculpture, and craft. Was that always the vision — or something you found along the way?

I think my background in textiles naturally pushed my work into that space between fashion and sculpture. I don’t really start with a fixed vision of a final piece. Instead, I begin with the fabric, hand knitting each section and letting the outcome evolve from there.

There’s something exciting about not fully knowing where a piece is headed. The fabric often leads the way. Because I am emotionally connected to the material before it even becomes a product, it opens up a different kind of dialogue, one that feels more experimental, more alive.

Do you remember the first piece that made you go, “okay… there’s something here”?

Yes, I remember it well. I had just finished the first prototype of the Luna bag, experimenting with unusual yarns, stitch tension, and sculptural form. It was the first time I’d created something that truly felt like mine, soft yet structured, textural but elegant.

A few weeks later, I took her to dinner and I remember placing it on the table. A lovely girl came over and asked where it was from. That small moment felt massive. It wasn’t just about being complimented, it was the realisation that something I’d made, could resonate with someone else. That’s when I knew I had something worth building on.

You’ve developed a pretty distinctive design language — clean, sculptural, textural. How would you describe the look?

Texture has always been at the heart of what I do. I think it’s one of the most timeless ways to add interest to an outfit, it’s subtle, but powerful. There’s an emotional connection that happens when something feels right on your skin. You might not always consciously notice texture, but you feel it. And when it’s wrong, you really know.

I would like the pieces I create to invite that sensory experience, to feel elevated and sculptural, but still wearable and soft. The muted tones, clean lines, and material choices are all there to highlight the texture. It’s about designing timeless products that don’t feel flat, pieces that hold attention without demanding it.

What's your process like when you're building something new — sketching, sampling, obsessing? What’s the part you love most?

Gosh, it’s messy. I’d love to say there’s a neat process, but truthfully, it’s a lot of back and forth, sketching, sampling, obsessing, second guessing, then circling back again. When I have an idea I really believe in, there’s definitely a level of obsession that carries it through.

But reflection plays a huge role too, those quieter moments where I step back and ask why something matters, and how it might make someone feel when they wear it. I also love talking through concepts with people even if it’s mid process and everything’s still rough. That connection, that dialogue, keeps things feeling real. It’s all part of the chaos, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What’s one detail or decision you always find yourself coming back to — even if no one else notices it?

I think one of the details I always come back to even if it’s not something people can name is the tactile experience. Everything I design is intentional and considered, but texture and how a piece feels on the body or in your hand is something I obsess over.

I spend a lot of time imagining how customers will talk about the product when they wear it, how it makes them feel, how it fits into their life. That layer of sensory connection is so important to me, and I always visualise it during the design process.

But it’s also the part that’s hardest to communicate online. Texture doesn’t always translate through a screen, and there’s something quite intimate and emotional about touch, it's not something you can flatten into an image. I’ve honestly dreamed about sending out little fabric swatches just so everyone can feel what I mean!

Hopefully, as the brand grows, more in person moments like pop-ups, stockists, and events will help bring that side of the work to life. Because for me, the experience of Rachel Sophia Studio is just as much about feeling as it is about seeing.

What drew you to being part of Fassion — what felt like the right fit?

I believe that good design isn’t built in isolation, it’s built through collaboration and connection. That’s what initially drew me to Fassion. It felt like a space where independent designers weren’t just listed, but genuinely supported and celebrated.

There’s a real sense of intention behind the platform, from the way they curate talent to the community they’re building. It can be quite isolating working as a designer, so having a network like this where you can connect with people who understand the process, who share your vision, who want to see you grow, that’s something really special.

Being part of Fassion feels less like joining a platform, and more like joining a collective of people who truly care about the future of independent design. I’m grateful to be among them.

Tell us about the new collection. What were you exploring this time, and how does it reflect where you’re taking the brand next?

The Lido Collection introduces two new pieces, The Bellari Bikini Top and The Lia Reversible Shoulder Bag. It feels like a turning point for the brand, more refined, more versatile, and edging gently into a fuller wardrobe experience.

With The Bellari  Bikini, I wanted to explore the female form, creating a piece that moulds to your body whilst providing structure. It’s fully knitted, which is rare for swimwear, yet completely functional in water. There’s something special about taking a delicate, textural fabric and pushing it into a performance context. The vertical lines were intentional; they guide the eye upward, elongating the body and enhancing the form. The colour palette offers a pop just enough to be playful without overpowering your outfit. Styled with linen trousers or under an open shirt, it transforms effortlessly from beachwear to eveningwear.

The Lia bag was born from the idea of relaxed sophistication. I wanted to create a slouchy, casual shape that still felt elevated, something tactile and soft that you could wear every day, but that still turned heads. Its double knitted handle stretches gently with whatever you carry, which subtly changes the strap length and makes the bag feel personal to how you wear it. The reversible element was a way to let the customer play, two tones, two moods, one bag. It’s practical, but also a quiet nod to the idea that women are rarely just one thing.

This collection marks an exciting shift. I’ve always envisioned Rachel Sophia Studio growing into more than accessories, a full wardrobe experience that allows you to invite texture, comfort and style into your day. This is our first step toward that. And I’m so ready for what’s next.

To celebrate Rachel Sophia Studio joining FASSION, we're offering 15% discount on all Rachel Sophia Studio for the next week with the code RACHEL15.