Australian Fashion Designer Shares Mental Health Story

ABC Arts

Fashion

Monday, 18 May 2026, 8:53 am

Rochelle Gregory, a fashion designer, shared her mental health struggles in a short film.

Rochelle Gregory's fashion career took off in 2018 when Ruby Rose wore her jacket.

Gregory's success led to mental health issues, but she's now sharing her story.

Gregory has designed clothes for famous people like Gigi Hadid and Dua Lipa.

Gregory learned to sew from her Greek grandfather, who was a tailor.

Fashion was in her blood, and she wanted to continue it.

Rochelle Gregory worked hard on her fashion label while dealing with mental health issues.

After graduating, Gregory applied for an internship at Alexander Wang's studio but didn't get it.

She started her own fashion label, Rocky Rafaela, in 2016.

The brand helped Gregory deal with her mental health diagnoses, including borderline personality disorder.

For a while, Gregory's business was successful, and she even had a store.

Confronting her demons was a challenge for Gregory.

Recently, Gregory hosted a runway show to share her new collection and story.

The new collection debuted with a short film about Gregory's mental health journey.

The film showed Gregory's struggles with hospitalization, self-harm, and eating disorders.

The message of the film was one of hope and self-worth.

"I used fashion as a distraction, but I had to face my demons," Gregory said.

Gregory is now working with Lifeline to help raise money and awareness.

She had childhood trauma that affected her adult life, including learning and impulse control.

Gregory turned to drugs and alcohol, but therapy helped her navigate her issues.

After a suicide attempt, Gregory saw a life coach for five hours a day.

Stitching a new story

Gregory uses her fashion as armor to escape her struggles.

Rocky Rafaela was built on a unique approach to design.

"I turned pain into power, and my fashion is about my lived experience," Gregory said.

Getting sober helped Gregory focus on her wellbeing.

Gregory's mental health journey was up and down, but her brand gave her purpose.

The brand was successful, but Gregory still struggled with her mental health.

Gregory had to work on her own foundations, not just her brand.

Making a short film about her life was part of Gregory's healing process.

She hopes the film can inspire others to navigate their own struggles.

"I wanted to show people that my life started dark, but I've transformed it," Gregory said.

In the film, Gregory designs a dress, showing her creative process.

A journalist calls Gregory's story a success, but she says she's just getting started.

Monday, 18 May 2026, 8:53 am

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