ABOUT

 

Rudolf Stefan Ramseyer was born in Switzerland, the eldest of three boys. He grew up in a small town there until, at age 14, he and his family emigrated to Australia and settled in Tasmania. After completing high school, Rudolf took a year off and went on a working holiday in Switzerland.

Upon his return to Tasmania in 1993, he enrolled at the Launceston Institute of TAFE fashion school. There, he studied many aspects of the fashion industry and learnt his trade. He submitted work in a number of national design competitions, among which were the Dupont Lycra Awards. Rudolf’s swimwear ensemble was awarded first prize, and this led to him being offered employment in the fashion industry.

Rudolf gratefully accepted and moved to Sydney in December 1995. He enrolled in evening classes at The Whitehouse School to study fashion design and drawing, while working full time. During the five years at Sundream House, he was allowed a free hand in designing swimwear ranges and making patterns and samples. With little formal training on the job, his hands-on approach proved to be invaluable.

The year 2000 saw the closure of Sundream House, and Rudolf went on to work for Jodhi Packer’s Tigerlily, where he was responsible for quality assurance. Most of his time was spent on the road visiting makers and suppliers in the suburbs, reporting to the production manager at head office. Many important contacts were made, and a further aspect of the industry was experienced during that time.

In 2002, Rudolf decided it was time to go out on his own, and formulated a business plan. Starting on a shoestring budget and always on the lookout for new opportunities, he has since established himself as a skilled designer, dressmaker and tailor.

Rudolf soon felt the need to share his skills and added teaching to his repertoire in 2008. Since then, several hundred students have participated in his sewing- and pattern drafting classes. Recognising his aptitude at bringing out the best in others, Rudolf studied the Certificate IV in Training & Assessment at Sydney TAFE Ultimo campus. He is now a fully qualified VET trainer and assessor.

Rudolf became a father with the birth of his daughter Eleanor Can (turkish, pronounced D-jaan) in  2010. Eleanor is a happy and healthy child who lives with her two mothers in San Francisco. She met her father for the first time in December 2011, and again on several occasions since.

The loss of his own father in 2013 lead Rudolf to reassess the important things in life; he made the decision to leave ‘the Big Smoke’ to return to his roots. 

Rudolf has taken his unique aesthetic, his exceptional skills and attention to detail back to Tasmania, the place his career had started. A fantastic new location in the heart of Launceston CBD, renewed energy and fresh ideas promise great things to come!