At Alterreal we focus on bringing new life to unwanted clothes and textiles by upcycling and creating 'new', one-of-a-kind pieces. The pieces stylistically vary in line with the maker’s creative mind, parallel with the seasons of her life. Thoughtfully considering fabric textures, colour palettes, functionality, lines, and silhouettes. She hopes to send a message with each piece designed.

In an industry inundated with high turnover of new, cheap apparel, it is a kind of growth in the fashion industry that is highly wasteful and resource intensive. We want to embrace the idea of upcycled apparel to combat this unnecessary growth. We pride ourselves in the process of using discarded clothing and deadstock fabric, meaning fewer resources are consumed, ultimately minimizing the waste stream.

Alterreal’s ambition to be more sustainable than ever is a constant for the brand. Always investing and sourcing more sustainable and ethical materials. Think innovative recycled materials, more fully biodegradable natural materials, decreasing offcut waste in production, finding ways to decrease carbon footprint, systems thinking, and assessing the product life cycle.

Tackling waste culture head on, our products are here to show that wearing or making unique garments does not have to be at a large expense on the earth's wellbeing.

Start by starting.

Behind the Brand

The name behind The Alterreal is the idea of creating a community of people that allow the personification of their alter ego.

The word Real represents that although it may seem like our alter egos are detached from everyday identity, we believe in embracing the fact that all our alter egos are very much the REAL you.

We are all free to express ourselves in any way, shape, or form.

About the Founder

The Alterreal is run by Rachelle, a young female that has a passion for impulsive, quirky creations with her trusty sewing machine. Her creations started off with scraps she found at home during lockdown, turning them into simple accessories like masks and bucket hats, to presently, jackets, tops, bottoms, two-piece sets, custom festivals sets, etc.


Garments are her favourite form of expression, utilizing unique silhouettes, colours and patterns to externalize the wearer’s mood or persona of the day, brightening up their surroundings and people around them.