rebe healy, founder of REBE

Welcome to TRONQUE Muses — our journal of inspiration, ritual, and the quietly powerful women and ideas that shape Tronque. Here, we share thoughtful conversations, stories behind our products, and the timeless influences that move us, from pioneering science to art, design, and the rituals that reconnect us to our bodies. We hope this space becomes a source of calm discovery and a reminder that true beauty is as much about what we cultivate within as what we care for on the surface.

Our first muse, Rebe Healy, founder of REBE.

To start, please share a bit about your background and what inspired you to launch REBE. 

I’ve spent the past 12 or so years working in the fashion industry here in Tāmaki Makaurau, holding various roles including head buyer, retail sales, production, and social media management for several brands. This experience has been fundamental in bringing my own label to life, so leaving full-time work to focus on REBE felt like a natural next step!

I actually started the brand in 2017, inspired by a moment - I saw a woman wearing the most beautiful wide-brim hat and couldn’t find anything like it locally. So I designed one myself, found a local milliner, and produced a small run of 20 Wide-Brim Panama hats - a very special style that still exists in my collection today!

REBE is celebrated for its purposeful minimalism. Which design are you most proud of, and what’s the story behind it? 

It’s hard to choose! I love a good piece of outerwear, so I’d have to say the first ready-to-wear piece I designed - our REBE Blazer. It’s essentially my perfect blazer: inspired by masculine tailoring, with just the right amount of oversize, balanced by sharp shoulders and clean detailing. It’s also the most-worn item in my wardrobe - which says it all!

Walk us through your design process, from initial sketch to finished garment. What inspires each step?

My design process always begins with a feeling - a mood, a moment, or even a woman I have in mind. I think about how she wants to feel, where she's going, and what she needs from her wardrobe. From there, I begin to sketch rough ideas. Fabric plays a huge role early on - I often source textiles first and let them inform the way a garment moves or drapes. I love working closely with our manufacturers to develop the right structure, weight, and finish. Once the silhouette and fabric are aligned, we move into sampling, adjusting proportions and fit until it feels just right. I always try everything on myself - if I wouldn’t wear it, it doesn’t feel right including it in the collection. Every step is guided by the same question: does this piece feel lasting - something she reaches for again and again?

How do you define your personal approach to beauty? Are there any similarities to your approach to design? 

Yes, I keep my beauty routine minimal - simple, easy, and effective. I’m not into over-complicating things; I prefer to keep it effortless and manageable.

Can you share a non-negotiable in your beauty routine? 

Sunscreen everyday and drinking lots of water!

Which Tronque product do you find yourself using most often, and what makes it a standout in your routine? 

Triple Active Body Milk - wow! Not only does it smell amazing, but it’s also hydrating and light-weight.

Quickfire Questions

Favourite self-care indulgence when you need a reset? A massage! 

Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Simple -  trust your gut.

One book or podcast you’re loving right now? The Cutting Room Floor (Podcast) - Recho Omondi.

If you could teleport anywhere for a weekend, where would you go? Sifnos - Greece!

Last song you had on repeat? Spell by Raveena