We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rachel Gai a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned to sew at home on a Singer sewing machine, using YouTube tutorials and experimenting with thrifted fabric and clothing. I never took formal sewing classes….my learning came from staying up late many nights, practicing techniques, and figuring out garment construction through trial and error. Understanding how clothes are built and how they fit the body has been the most essential skill for upcycling, because it allows me to take something old and make it feel brand new.

Reflecting on my journey, I realize I could have progressed faster if I had taken formal sewing classes in college, which would have given me a stronger technical foundation early on. Starting pop-up shops sooner would have helped me connect directly with customers and gain valuable feedback, while making friends with other sewing enthusiasts would have built a support network for sharing skills and ideas. The biggest hurdles were making do in a small 500-square-foot studio apartment, often working on my dining table and the floor, with minimal supplies. Still, these challenges helped me develop patience, creativity, and resourcefulness, traits I believe are just as important as technical skills in this craft.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m originally from South Sudan but grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, where I attended a small Catholic school that taught me the value of community. By the time I was in middle school, I had discovered that fashion was my favorite form of self-expression, a way to tell my story and maintain my individuality. I started by hand sewing and using fabric glue to transform old clothes into something new and unique. In high school, I began experimenting with screen printing and heat transfers, making custom T-shirts with images of people’s favorite celebrities and selling them to students across the district. Wearing my designs to school brought me recognition, but it was my favorite teacher and mentor who gave me the affirmation I needed to believe fashion was something I could truly pursue.

Until college came around, the pressure of being a first-generation student made me feel like I needed a more “predictable” and “acceptable” career path. I enrolled at Iowa State University to study business marketing, putting fashion on the back burner. College wasn’t easy. I struggled emotionally and academically and was eventually dismissed. That was a turning point. I realized I needed to rebuild myself, surround myself with positivity, and re-engage with my creativity.

In 2018, after being readmitted to ISU, I started Rachel Reloaded, a personal brand and creative outlet to document my fashion journey and rebrand my life. I got a job at JoAnn Fabrics, where I learned about textiles, patterns, and tools, and saved up to buy my first sewing machine, a Singer Fashion Mate 3342. I began upcycling my clothes, posting them online, and receiving positive feedback that reignited my passion. When I returned to ISU, I added a minor in apparel merchandising and design, taking classes like textile science, fashion history, and branding to continue my learning.

One day at JoAnn’s, I met a local boutique owner, and after connecting over a pair of glasses she was wearing, I handed her my business card. That encounter led to my first boutique partnership, selling custom one-of-a-kind upcycled pieces. From that moment, I knew this was my craft and what I wanted to share with the world.

As my skills and business grew, I enrolled in an entrepreneurship class and used it to create my business plan. To my surprise, Rachel Reloaded won Best of Show in the class showcase, earning me a spot in CyStarters, a business accelerator program with funding to support my work. My focus became clear, transforming unwanted textiles, thrifted clothes, and donated materials into unique, story-driven pieces while reducing textile waste and helping people become more conscious consumers.

Since then, I’ve collaborated with musicians and artists, participated in fashion shows, and, more recently, hosted upcycle sewing classes to give back to the community. What sets Rachel Reloaded apart is the blend of storytelling, cultural influence, and sustainability in every piece I create. I’m most proud of turning limited resources into a thriving creative practice and building a platform that inspires others to embrace both style and sustainability. At its heart, my brand is about community, creativity, and conscious fashion, a reminder that what we wear can make a statement, tell a story, and make a difference.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think one thing non-creatives often struggle to understand is that people pay for skills and expertise, not just the end product. When someone sees an upcycled jacket or a custom garment, they may only see the final piece, but behind it are years of learning, trial and error, investment in tools, and countless hours of work. Creativity is more than a hobby; it’s a skill set that brings value, solves problems, and tells stories in ways that mass production never can. Paying a creative isn’t just buying an item; you’re supporting their knowledge, vision, and the time it took to master their craft.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I built my audience on social media by focusing on real-life connections and letting them translate online. I started by doing pop-up shops where people could see my work in person and connect with the story behind each piece. Collaborations with other creatives and small businesses helped me tap into new audiences who already trusted the person or brand I was partnering with. Being featured in local podcasts and news outlets also gave me credibility and introduced my work to people outside my immediate circle.

For anyone just starting, my advice is to get offline sometimes, show up at community events, meet people, and create experiences they’ll want to share online. Collaborate with others who align with your values, and don’t be afraid to pitch yourself to local media. Consistency is important, but authenticity is what really makes people stick around. Show not just the finished product, but the process, the challenges, and the wins. People connect with the person behind the brand as much as the work itself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rachelreloaded.myshopify.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r_reloaded/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelreloadedd

Image Credits

Andrew Sachin Clements : @flixsbydrew
Trinity: @trinnoelphotography
Destiny Williams: @dlashayyy