Koowee girl dresses stars

By Jade Lawton
RACHAEL Lay’s success story can be traced from the Kooweerup swamp to the wardrobes of Hollywood superstars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
The former Kooweerup resident (nee Wealands) has seen pictures of the jet-setting Jolie-Pitt brood – one of the most photographed families in the world – wearing her hip children’s wear label, Sudo.
An image of Brad Pitt holding adopted son Maddox, with the Sudo label clearly visible, helped the label gain an international following.
It is now stocked in 40 boutiques in Australia, along with places in Hong Kong and New Zealand, and will appear in future episodes of Australian TV soaps Home and Away and Neighbours.
“I did heaps of research and sent some stuff to their agent, which they accepted. I didn’t send it to any other celebrity, because their style really suits us,” she said.
Rachael did not set out to work in the fashion industry. She left Kooweerup at 17 to study International Relations in Geelong, and met her future husband, engineering student Terry.
After a trip around the world, the pair returned with nothing and took the first jobs they could find, with Terry starting work in the fashion industry.
When their son Max reached two, the couple found a gap in the children’s clothing market.
“Because Terry had so much background, he was very frustrated with the choice of clothes. It wasn’t edgy enough for him; he said he doesn’t wear overalls, so he didn’t want to put his kid in overalls,” Rachael said.
The label was based in the Lay’s Oakleigh South home for the first four years but now operates from Moorabin.
Their first collection, with just 12 pieces, has grown to a collection of 40 to 50 pieces released every six months.
“It was a lot of hard work, not bang overnight,” Rachel said.
Rachel has now created a new business called Candy Hair, where children can play gaming consoles or watch DVDs while their hair is cut, ensuring tear-free trips to the hairdresser.
They are also considering expanding Sudo to include a tween range.
Rachel and Terry’s passion for fashion means that their children Max, now 7, Austin, 5 and Audrey, 3, are always looking their best.
“It’s ridiculous – their wardrobes are better than mine,” Rachel said.