About Tegarioko

About the Designer

Rioko Tega is a Japanese-born designer based in Naarm/Melbourne. During her childhood, her grandparents ran a kimono and tailoring business, Tailor Tega, in Gunma Prefecture. This sparked in her a lifelong fascination with beautiful textiles. Rioko has fond memories of visiting the Tailor Tega workshop after school each day, where she would watch her grandfather working his pedal-operated sewing machine and stitching buttonholes by hand. She also remembers her grandparents repairing her and her sister’s clothes, and even making them bags for school.

From her grandparents, Rioko learned the importance of quality and impeccable detail, as well as the timelessness of good design. She inherited an eye for garment construction, and mastered the art of patternmaking while working with major Australian fashion labels.

Informed by her expert industry knowledge and inimitable style, Rioko offers an alternative way to connect with your garments, emphasising sustainability and innovation. Opposing the disposable and exploitative nature of fast fashion, Rioko creates limited-release garments and other wearables that integrate seamlessly into clients’ everyday lives. Her goal is to present thoughtful products for thoughtful individuals.

“I am on a mission to create future vintage pieces that reflect the wearer’s life and personality.”

Rioko’s garments prioritise comfort and easy care. They are designed to become an enduring component of your wardrobe – so you can wear them year in, year out, without compromising your unique style.

Tega Rioko

Our Design Principles

Elegant Authenticity

Japanese kimono culture deeply influences the Tegarioko design philosophy, inspiring a commitment to a minimal wardrobe. The kimono’s versatile simplicity, suitable for all body shapes and genders, shapes our creative approach, emphasising timeless pieces that blend beauty and functionality.

Artisanal Touch

Tegarioko offers hands-on craftsmanship at its finest. Your order will be cut, constructed and finished by the designer herself, ensuring meticulous attention to detail and a personalised touch, inside out.

Quality Materials

We are uncompromising in our approach to selecting the highest quality natural fabrics for each piece. The Tegarioko commitment to quality ensures that we work with a trusted Australian supplier to find materials that drape and wash well. Each item is finished with a garment wash and undergoes wear testing, guaranteeing exceptional wearability.

Easy Care

Our garments are designed to be simple to care for – they are easy to wash at home, and are repairable without requiring special equipment. Tegarioko clothing not only withstands everyday wash and wear but also softens as it ages – just like noragi, or Japanese vintage workwear – which only serves to enhance the appearance and character of the clothing.

Vintage Noragi from Designer’s Own Collection

Tailored Sustainability

The garments in our collections are made to order, and we occasionally offer a limited number of one-off or ready-made garments. Producing clothing on this basis allows us to source and manage materials responsibly, preventing unnecessary resource use and helping to minimise the environmental footprint of the fashion industry.

Ethical Change

Mass-produced options often compromise on quality and exploit workers in the name of customer affordability. Tegarioko takes a different approach, emphasising craftsmanship and ethical production. By choosing our garments, you contribute to a more equitable and sustainable industry, making a positive impact on both the environment and the people involved in the creation of our clothes.

Welcome to TegoRioko