RRD Creates

Art. Design. Strategy.

Design Education & Resources for Creatives
Indianapolis, IN

Follow the Journey

In NYC for Sourcing, Shopping, and Fashion Week. Constantly in awe of the sheer number of adventures, pop-ups, sidequests, and things to do when I'm here.

#FashionDesigner #nyfw #newyork #sourcing #fashionshows

These are a few of my favorite things.

From beading and needlework to classic art techniques blurring and blending cultural motifs - BUTTER 6 did not disappoint.

Always an honor to volunteer and support this incredible event!

Until next year ♡

#butterartfair #indyartist #artscommunity #Indianapolis #ganggang

And this is where this insane year began...

What started with a Christian Siriano workshop became part of the momentum that brought me here, into a year of building, creating, learning, and finally putting a bigger vision into motion.

The full vlog is officially LIVE on YouTube. 🎥

Thank you @csiriano @carlcurrynyc and the rest of the incredible team for offering this experience! Can't wait to see the new collection next week!

#RRDCreates #ChristianSiriano #FashionDesign #FashionVlog #DesignerJourney

When the "someday," the "rainy day," and "one day, maybe" suddenly become TODAY!

I’m so excited to announce that I have been selected for the Indiana Arts Commission On-Ramp Entrepreneur Fellowship!

For the next year, I’ll be using this fellowship to develop a new body of work exploring what it means to center the unclassified: the people, identities, histories, and stories that don’t always fit neatly into the categories we’ve created for them.

This work brings together fashion, storytelling, craftsmanship, and a lot of ideas I’ve been carrying around for a long time.

I can’t share everything just yet. 👀 But I can say that this next year is going to be a busy one.

The fellowship officially begins today, September 1, 2026.

I’ll be documenting the journey along the way, including the work, the lessons, the challenges, and everything that happens behind the scenes.

**Follow along on my Substack if you want to be there for the full journey.**

Thank you to the @inartscomm for this opportunity, and to everyone who has followed, encouraged, shared, watched, commented, or simply believed in what I’m building.

This is just the beginning.

#RRDCreates #IndianaArtsCommission #FashionDesigner #WearableArt #Substack

One short day.

#fashiondesign #sewing #slowfashion #artist #couture

A year of work starts in two days.

#slowfashion #fashiondesigner #patternmaking #couture #sewing

The countdown begins.

#patternmaking #sewing #fashiondesign #slowfashion #couture

If you've ever wondered why handmade fashion takes so long... this is why.

#FashionDesign #couture #sewing #lacefabric #behindthescenes

Out supporting @jennifermagley at her SOLD OUT show! What an inspiration ♡♡♡

Spring cleaning in the studio. Making way for closing out loops and gearing up to starting something fresh!

#FashionDesign #Indianapolis #Sewing #Muslin

Cheers to a week well spent! 🍷

I had so many plans to get content organized this week, but On Ramp took over. What a gift to learn and grow in a room full of talented creatives of all backgrounds and mediums!

It was a whirlwind adventure and, while I have to set my workbook aside for tonight, I am feeling empowered to start the "real" work tomorrow. 🌟

#onramp2026 #entrepreneurship #fashiondesigner #Indianapolis @inartscomm

I am so excited to share that I've been accepted into the 2026 cohort of the On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator from the Indiana Arts Commission!

I'll be joining 19 other creatives for a three-day intensive entrepreneurship and community engagement workshop designed by Dr. Elaine Grogan Luttrull of Minerva Financial Arts.

Looking forward to being a part of this incredible network of support and collaboration!

Learn more about the program: https://www.in.gov/arts/programs-and-services/training/on-ramp-creative-entrepreneur-accelerator/

#artist #indianapolis #entrepreneurship #fashiondesigner #onrampaccelerator @inartscomm

Out and about! Healed from Eye Surgery and back in action! Excited to attend the Pre-Launch for Issue XII: Cerebral from @_moremagazine! Congratulations to @ariannnnacruz and the team for a beautiful launch and an exciting new edition.

#moremagazine #Indianapolis #girlpower

Getting back to basics #gouachepainting #fashionillustration #fashiondesign #watercolorillustration #paintingreels

Every time I pick up a paintbrush, something fun happens ♡

#gouachepainting #fashionillustration #lavendergown #fashiondesign #eveningdress

I see some new faces around here after my first NYFW Experience!

I'm Rae, an Indy-Based Fashion and Graphic Designer (plus a few other random titles).

And yes, I'm a designer in Indy despite:
No fashion jobs.
No industry.
No built-in access.
My multiple side quests.
Working in unrelated fields.

After years of study, years of practice, and years of figuring it out I'm building my own way.

This space is where I document what it looks like to build a creative career outside of the traditional pipeline.

If you’re building from where you are — you’re in the right place.

---

This incredible shot was captured by Ree - I am so grateful to have found this NY based talent in my whirlwind adventure.

📸: @shotbyree

#FashionDesigner #Indianapolis #entrepreneurship #nyfw #slowfashion

Tonight’s finale at Christian Siriano.

The craftsmanship up close. The mood. The music.
Photos never translate the moment.
I still have to process ♡

#NYFW #ChristianSiriano #FashionDesign #Designer #Artist

Diet Coke Girlie in Manhattan ♡
Who else is ready for a chilly week to enjoy some Fashion?!

#nyfw #fashionweek #fashion #fashiondesigner #newyork

Happy Small Business Saturday!

While I've kept my business extremely small these last few years, it has been such a joy to get back in touch with my creative side on a more regular basis.

Here's your reminder to spend money at your favorite local spots, buy a giftcard from a small business, or start your own small business!

Make an impact in your community and support the innovative, creative, and audacious small businesses near you!

#smallbusinesssaturday #Indianapolis #candlemaking #sewing #soapmaking #buildcommunity #shopsmall #shoplocal #christmasmarket #farmersmarket #etsyseller #fashiondesign #graphicdesign #packagingdesign #vendorevents #christmasgifts

I don't know who hacked my mind, but an espresso martini and vision boards after a day of inspiring talks is like a dream!

@pickingdaisiesmedia #creatorland

Closing out an amazing trip. Can't wait to share all about it!

#businesstrip #sourcing #fashiondesign #fashionbusiness #designer #nyc #indianapolis #artist

Happy Valentine's Day! Excited that cupid dropped this off for me ♡♡♡

#valentinesday #tudortailor #needlework #sewing #crafts #rrdcreates

Happy New Year!

☆ 2024 had it's highs and lows, but here we are with a new day and a fresh start ☆

Start this year doing something that you want to do more of in 2025! Sew more, draw more, give more, or rest more - whatever you need ♡

#happynewyear #artist #designer #Indianapolis

New this year - Holiday Headbands! Made from deadstock from a local designer, these are a great way to add a bit of fun to the holiday season.

#deadstockfabric #sustainablefashion #twistheadbands #holidaymarket #farmersmarket #vendor ##vendorevent #handmade #sewingbusiness #fashionbusiness #smallbusiness #smallbusinessideas #shopsmall #shoplocal #thehaverstick @thehaverstick

It's time for another black and white photo for the IG Grid, but this weekend was full of vibrancy and color at the @butterartfair. Thank you @ganggangculture for bringing this all to life once again! I had fun as a volunteer and an attendee with my family and the opportunity to see incredible art on display, speak to the artists behind the work, and to just be fully surrounded by art, music, and poetry, was such a treat ✨️

And seeing so many posts about the event in my feed is perfection!

Had a great time at Adobe's Create Now event in Indianapolis! So inspiring to learn about the new features in Photoshop, Illustrator, and the capabilities of Firefly and Express in a room full of talented creatives!

Stay tuned for some fun clips from the night.

#adobe #graphicdesigner #digitalmarketing #adobecreatenow #indianapolisdesigner
#indianapolisartist #designer #fashiondesigner #adobephotoshop #adobeillustrator #adobefirefly #adobeexpress #rrdcreates #clothingdesign #digitalmockups #photography #photoediting #digitalart #illustration @adobecreate

That's a wrap! Enjoyed my time as a Judge for the @iida_in Fashion Show! Thrilling to be in a room with so many talented and creative people. Shout out to my fellow judges @shauntelewisart @bethbennettcavbiz and @jbenzal!

#sustainability #fashionshow #iidaindy #interiordesign #indianapolis #indianapolisdesigner #architecture

I'm great at going on hiatus! But I promise my last two have been totally worth it. 🍼🍼

Anywho - I have a Youtube Channel if you've been looking for content from a creative entrepreneur who doesn't know it all, but knows just enough about Apparel, Costume, and Graphic Design to stay paid and bust in a not-so-creative environment. Join me for my Beginner Sewing Series where I'll break down the first steps to improving your sewing - with some projects you'll actually WANT to show off. Beginner-friendly sewing education with tips, tricks, and free resources for your sewing journey - all with a designer's touch. Ready? Check my Bio!

#newblogpost #rrdcreates #howtosew #makeyourownclothes #homedecorsewing #interiordesignsewing #fashionsewing #fashiondesign #howtobecomeadesigner #howto #designertutorial #sewingtutorials #artist #beginnersewing #seamstress
#sewingbusiness #creative #entrepreneur #handsewing #machinesewing #machineembroidery #indianapolis #appareldesign #costumedesign #sewingtutorial #smallbusiness #etsybusiness

I wrapped up this pattern test at the end of February for an upcoming Juliet Dress Pattern by RosePatternDIY! I love the result!

If you are a beginning sewist, I would suggest trying other looks first or really studying the pattern before jumping in, but overall I think the pattern has so many details and how-tos built in that many early sewists could pick up a bunch of skills along the way.

Thanks again @RosePatternDIY for the opportunity to test this pattern!

Check out my Amazon Storefront for tools seen in my videos and more! Link in bio!

#sewing #smallbusiness #patternmaking #patterntesting #rosepatterdiy #julietdress #memade #plussizedress #plussizesewing #memadewardrobe #makeyourownclothes #indianapolis #sewingtips #seamstress #dressmaking #patterntest #sewist #fashion #handmade #alterations #satindress #orangedress #springfashion #diy

The best part of being a creative is getting to be a part of so many clients' (and friends') celebrations, milestones, and events. Creating special pieces for special moments is what it's all about.

This is a draping for an Asymmetrical custom bodysuit im working on for a client. We've had our 2nd fitting and now is the fun part - where I bring it to life!

Check out the process on my channels!

#smallbusiness #fashiondesign #customclothes #bodysuit #resortwear #alterations #swimwear #fashiondraping #seamstress #sewist #indianapolis #patternmaking #patterndrafting #draping #makeyourownclothes #makeyourownpatterns #howtosew #behindthescenes #runningasmallbusiness #knitwear #customsewing #womenswear #contemporary

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Follow the Journey

@rrdcreates

MEET YOUR DESIGNER

Hi, I'm Rachel - an Apparel, Costume, and Graphic Designer based in Indianapolis, IN.

My journey into design began in childhood with a love of sewing and crafts. I studied Theatrical Costume in high school, earned a BA in Fashion Design in 2011, and later completed an MBA in 2021.

With experience across multiple industries, I've developed a passion for creative entrepreneurship and the possibilities it creates.

I'm currently a 2026–2027 Indiana Arts Commission On-Ramp Entrepreneurship Fellow, where I am developing my first collection.