From Hollywood Glam to Hospital Halls: How Rebecca Lau Marsh Revolutionized Medical Wear!
Rebecca Lau Marsh began her illustrious fashion career designing bridesmaid dresses and eveningwear, setting up showrooms across Australia, New York City, and Cape Town. Her stunning creations graced red carpets and were worn by high-profile celebrities, including Eva Longoria, Jeannie Mai, and Adrienne Bailon. Her designs also found a place on popular TV shows like "Big Brother" and "The Voice," and she even served as a judge for Miss Universe Australia. In just under four years, her fashion business caught the eye of a major retail group and was acquired, marking a major milestone in her career.
Despite these successes, Rebecca felt a pull towards a new challenge—a venture that would reignite her passion for design. That opportunity came in an unexpected form when Dr. Audrey Shen, one of the twin veterinarians from Bondi Vet, approached her. Dr. Audrey, along with her sister Dr. Alison, had grown tired of the poorly fitting, hair-covered scrubs they had to wear both on TV and in their clinic. They envisioned a line of scrubs that combined style with functionality, something that would meet the demands of their work without sacrificing fashion. Audrey sought Rebecca’s expertise to bring this vision to life.
The timing was perfect. With the world in COVID lockdown, Rebecca seized the moment to pivot her career. She dove into designing scrubs, a stark contrast from the glamorous gowns she had been creating for red carpet events. Yet, the core principles of her design philosophy—fit, function, and flair—remained the same.
Together, they launched the 21 Scrubs line, beginning with the innovative 21 Jumpsuit. Its blend of style and practicality quickly made it a favorite among medical professionals. Encouraged by its success, they continued to push the boundaries of what scrubs could be. One of the standout features of their 21Core™ range was the liquid and hair-repellent fabric—a game-changer for professionals like veterinarians, groomers, and hairdressers.
“Designing scrubs was a completely different experience from my previous work in fashion, says Lou Marsh, “I had spent years creating glamorous gowns for celebrities and special occasions, but now I was designing practical, durable workwear for professionals.”
However, the principles of great design remained the same—fit, function, and flair. They launched the 21 Scrubs line, starting with the 21 Jumpsuit, which quickly became a favorite among medical professionals, especially veterinary professionals. The jumpsuit’s mix of style and practicality was exactly what the market needed, and its success inspired us to keep pushing the boundaries of what scrubs could be.
Inspired by their success, they pushed the boundaries of what scrubs could offer. These scrubs aren't just stylish; they’re exceptionally functional, as the Co-Founders, Drs. Shens can personally attest.
“They’ve been rigorously tested with nearly every species' bodily fluid—even camel diarrhea,” says Dr. Audrey Shen, “On our reality show, Bondi Vet and our own veterinary practice, we have put these scrubs through real-life trials, proving their durability and practicality.”
To showcase the scrubs' durability, they created a fun social media series called "Mess Tests." In these videos, they put the scrubs to the ultimate test, splashing them with everything from raspberry Fanta to iced coffee. The series became an instant hit, with fans suggesting new substances to throw at the scrubs. Rebecca’s goal was clear: to design scrubs that not only looked good but could withstand the messiest and most hands-on work environments. The overwhelmingly positive response from professionals across various industries validated her mission.
Rebecca's journey from dressing red carpet celebrities to designing for healthcare heroes marked an exciting evolution in her career. She is now proud to be part of a brand that offers affordable luxury scrubs where form, function, and style converge, making a tangible difference in people’s work lives. With the success of the 21 Scrubs line, Rebecca Lau Marsh continues to innovate, and there’s certainly more to come.
