How Spray Paint, Old Jeans And A Background In Dance Created A Brand

Written By Gina Nguyen

As clothing from brands pile up year after year one question remains, how do we as consumers combat this? And is there an ethical way to purchase clothing while still expressing creativity? Well, in 2024, thanks to their brilliant last minute idea, two women answered just that. 

Founded in Sydney, Australia in 2024, the brand SKEETS emerged. It is run by Nikita McDonald originally from Whanganui, Aotearoa New Zealand and by Casey O’Rourke originally from Townsville, Australia. The pair met when they moved to Sydney to pursue dance and wound up attending the same dance school full time, where they instantly clicked creatively and personally. While at the school they trained together and later decided to live together, which is when they discovered they operate extremely well as a team. 

“We balance each other’s strengths, push each other creatively, and share the same drive.” 

This same drive and creative force was evident in their formulation of SKEETS. Emerging from a last minute fashion idea for a Listen Out festival, O’Rourke and McDonald decided to spray paint some white jeans with bold pink and red colours. The statement pieces were an instant hit as people came up to the duo asking where their outfits were from and after that moment, McDonald and O’Rourke figured this could be a marketable thing. From then on the pair started customising pieces for themselves and friends. The result of the creations led to people wanting pieces that felt one of a kind, which was how SKEETS stood out in festival crowds full of the same outfits.

“We knew we didn’t want to mass produce, so we centered the brand around upcycling and made to order garments.” 

Now in 2026 SKEETS has introduced their first limited edition collection, Muse. The upcycled collection has a hat, a handbag, a jacket, a skirt and a pair of jeans. The collection emerged from the idea that everyone around them is a source of inspiration.

SKEETS full Muse Collection look (not pictured skirt)

Photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/DT4iKJPjYfh/?igsh=MWhsbXo1d2lxa291MA==  

“The people we pass in the streets, our friends, other creatives, performers all shaped this collection. We are constantly observing individuality and confidence in everyday life, and we wanted to translate that into wearable art.” 

The pair go on to explain how the collection is defined by contrast. How it is an exploration of the balance between bold graffiti style and elegant, flowing script. This transcends into the softness of the “delicate lettering layered against edgy, spray paint creates tension within each piece.” The contrast, as Nikita and Casey note, “reflects people, strength and softness, structure and freedom, chaos and control.” 

Beyond this collection, street art played a huge role in inspiring SKEETS, from graffiti to layered movement and expressive imperfection. For them designing isn’t centred on trends but focused on designing around energy. O’Rourke and McDonald were also inspired by streetwear labels that blur the line between art and fashion. 

“Brands that treat clothing as a canvas, combining creativity and individuality, have shaped the way we approach each piece. For us, inspiration comes from the people we surround ourselves with and the artistic environments we engage with.” 

And for SKEETS, denim is typically their go to canvas because it’s strong, durable and holds paint well. When the duo started experimenting with blazers, suit pants and other finer fabrics, they weren’t sure how cotton and softer materials would react to spray paint since they aren't as strong as denim. However, they soon found that paint actually goes on smoother on these fabrics, which allows for more precise lines and layering. This unlocked more opportunities and possibilities for SKEETS to experiment on different fabrics. 

As dancers they nurtured a love for fashion. Stemming from growing up in studios and performing on stage, they were thrown into the world of costumes, styling and the power of expression. The duo explains how dance teaches you that what you wear can completely transform how you feel and move. It builds confidence, character and presence. 

Being performers made them hyper aware of silhouette, texture and energy, how fabric flows, how structure holds power, how an outfit can command attention before you even take a step. For McDonald and O’Rourke fashion became an extension of performance for them. SKEETS, as the duo say, “is essentially that same stage energy, translated into wearable art.” 

When asked what goals the SKEETS team had going forward, the vision was steered towards growing as a creative movement and not just a clothing brand. The duo see SKEETS expanding into more structured pieces, collaborating with performers and visual artists, showcasing at fashion events and creative festivals. As for their long term goals McDonald and O’Rourke say, “we’d love to see SKEETS on red carpets, in music videos, and worn by people who aren’t afraid to be seen.” 

The advice McDonald and O’Rourke had for designers and marketers breaking out into the industry, was to “stay authentic”. 

“The industry moves fast, and trends come and go, but identity is what lasts. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before launching messy, refine as you go. Build community before you build scale. And most importantly, understand your “why”. If your brand has depth and meaning, people will connect with it beyond aesthetics.” 

And in an era where the fashion industry is overrun with trends, SKEETS demolishes this to prove that there are other ways to unleash creativity which might just be sitting in the back of your wardrobe. 

XOXO, The Fashion Stock Market

Gina Nguyen
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