ABOUT US

What is Dirty Rat Designs?

Dirty Rat Designs is a small New Zealand fashion brand based in Ōtepoti/Dunedin. We are dedicated to our mission of creating unique, funky and inclusive items of clothing and jewellery that aims to cater to everybody's individual style and aesthetic. We mainly sell through our website and instagram (@dirtyratdesigns) but you can sometimes find us in person at various markets around Dunedin.

Logo designed by livvy downey, 2022

DRD INSTAGRAM

Who is behind Dirty Rat Designs?

Hello! My name is Julia and I am the face behind Dirty Rat Designs! I'm originally from Napier but moved to Dunedin in 2016 to attend the University of Otago. Despite studying Zoology and Marine Science, I have always had a huge passion for fashion and started my creative journey at the end of 2021. Dirty Rat Designs has come a long way since then and I couldn't be more thankful for all the support I've received these past few years. I am lucky to also have a lot support from my amazing partner Caleb who has helped me in so many ways achieve this dream, through his many ideas and support of everything I do. I couldn't have done it without him or my entire friend family (who you will see among the many photos I share). Here's to all the good things to come!!

Where did the name Dirty Rat Designs come from?

I have always owned pet rats (and currently have three; Pinky, Aberdeen and Salem) and whilst they aren't necessarily dirty, I love the way the name Dirty Rat sounds. In fact, the name actually originated from a trapping box I saw on a trip to the Coromandel in 2020, where a child had painted on the side of it "RIP DIRTY RAT" (pictured) which made me giggle. The name has stuck ever since.

DIRTY RAT DESIGNS IS OWNED BY A QUEER CREATOR AND IS PROUDLY LGBTQI+ FRIENDLY