Rebecca Donaldson: Scottish Model, Entrepreneur, and Fashion Industry Innovator

Rebecca Donaldson is a Scottish model and entrepreneur best known for her work in international fashion and for founding the activewear brand Muse Activewear. Born in Scone, Scotland, she built her career through a mix of education, hard work, and business focus rather than overnight fame.

With a degree in International Fashion Branding, she combines industry knowledge with real-world modelling experience to create a balanced career in both fashion and business.

In recent years, Rebecca has gained attention for her appearances at global fashion events and her relationship with Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr.. Beyond the spotlight, she continues to grow her brand and expand her modelling portfolio, showing how creative talent and smart entrepreneurship can work together in today’s fashion world.

Quick Bio Summary of Rebecca Donaldson

Full NameRebecca Donaldson
Date of BirthJuly 24, 1995
Age (as of 2025)30 years
BirthplaceScone, Perth and Kinross, Scotland
NationalityScottish
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
EducationHonours Degree in International Fashion Branding
ProfessionModel, Entrepreneur, Fashion Branding Graduate
Known ForFounder of Muse Activewear; Partner of F1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr.
Net Worth (2025)Approx. £12.5 million
Active Years2011–present
Instagram@iamrebeccad
Notable FeaturesVogue Ukraine, Marie Claire México, Muse Activewear Founder

Early Life and Scottish Heritage

Rebecca Donaldson was born on July 24, 1995, in Scone, a historic town in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. As reported by Entertainment Online,she attended Perth Academy, which is described as ‘possibly the oldest school in Scotland. Growing up in a small Scottish town with such deep roots shaped her down-to-earth personality.

Her mother worked in the NHS before retiring. Rebecca has chosen to keep her family life private, focusing public attention on her career and achievements. This approach reflects a deliberate boundary between personal roots and public career.

The Scottish heritage plays into her identity as someone who didn’t start in fashion capitals like London or New York. Her journey from a small-town competition to global fashion magazines offers a different narrative than typical model discovery stories. It’s a path that required building credentials step by step.

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Rebecca Donaldson Modelling Career Launch

Rebecca Donaldson Modelling Career Launch

Rebecca’s modelling journey started at age 17 through an unexpected route. In a 2024 interview with Maison Ë, she recalled starting her modelling journey at age 17 after a local pageant suggestion.  The judge was a make-up artist, so after the show she suggested we do some shoots together.” Her mother had entered her into the competition without her knowledge.

She told Daily Record in a 2011 interview about her early experience: “My mum entered me and I was really surprised when I found out. We had to go to rehearsal to practise catwalk-type dances before going in front of four judges at the Gardyne Theatre.” This local win became the foundation for her modelling portfolio. The make-up artist’s suggestion to collaborate created professional images that caught an agency’s attention.

What’s notable here is the organic nature of her entry into modelling. Many models get scouted in shopping malls or airports, but Donaldson’s path came through a structured local competition with judges and rehearsals. It valued preparation and presentation skills alongside natural attributes.

Building an International Modelling Portfolio

Rebecca Donaldson is signed with Brand Model Management and has worked across multiple continents. Her modelling has appeared in publications like Vogue Ukraine and Marie Claire México, showing her appeal in diverse fashion markets. She has also walked major runway shows and participated in prominent fashion-week events.

She stands 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters) tall, a typical height for runway models. Her professional portfolio and distinct Scottish features have helped her secure editorial work around the world. Reported body measurements exist but should be seen only as approximations.

Her experience with different international editions of magazines shows her versatility. Adapting to various beauty standards and styling approaches has helped her sustain a long and varied modelling career without being typecast.

Education: The Fashion Branding Degree

What separates Donaldson from many models is her academic credential in the fashion industry. She emphasized in her interview: “I chose to go to university… I studied for four years and have an honours degree in international fashion branding. Modelling was a part-time thing for me.” This four-year commitment while building a modelling career shows serious investment in understanding the business side.

An honours degree in international fashion branding covers brand strategy, marketing, consumer behaviour, and global fashion markets. This knowledge base gives Donaldson insight into how fashion brands are built, marketed, and scaled internationally. It’s the kind of education that prepares someone to launch their own brand.

The decision to treat modelling as “a part-time thing” while pursuing education reveals her priorities. Many models forgo higher education to focus entirely on their runway careers, but Donaldson took the longer view. This educational foundation adds credibility when she discusses her activewear brand or gives interviews about the fashion industry.

Rebecca Donaldson Launching Muse Activewear

Rebecca Donaldson Launching Muse Activewear

During the global COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Rebecca launched Muse Activewear, her own activewear brand. People.com documented she explained in a 2021 Vestd interview: “I was spending many days and hours during lockdown feeling a little purposeless… So I decided to pursue my dream of starting a clothing brand.” The timing turned personal frustration into a business opportunity.

She described the line as comfortable, supportive gym-wear that transitions into everyday life, featuring a minimalist aesthetic with a neutral palette. The trans-seasonal approach means the pieces work across different weather conditions and aren’t tied to specific fashion seasons. This design philosophy targets customers who want versatile pieces rather than trend-driven fast fashion.

The launch demonstrates practical application of her fashion branding degree. Starting a clothing brand requires understanding supply chains, manufacturing, branding, e-commerce, and customer acquisition. Her education gave her the framework, while her modelling experience provided industry connections.

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Rebecca Donaldson Net Worth and Financial Standing

Rebecca Donaldson’s estimated net worth is approximately £12.5 million as of 2025, according to Express. This figure is attributed to modelling contracts, brand endorsements, and her activewear venture revenue. Net worth estimates for private individuals should be viewed as approximate indicators.

Her income streams include editorial and runway modelling fees, which vary based on the publication, designer, and market. Brand partnerships and endorsements add another revenue layer, particularly as her social media following has grown. Muse Activewear contributes to her financial standing, though exact brand revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

The £12.5 million estimate places her in the mid-tier range for working models who also have business ventures. It reflects solid financial success for someone in her late twenties. The diversification across modelling, brand ownership, and endorsements creates more financial stability.

Rebecca Donaldson Relationship with Carlos Sainz Jr.

Rebecca Donaldson has been publicly dating Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr. since mid-2023. According to Sportskeeda, Donaldson and Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr. were first spotted together in Milan in June 2023. Her presence at F1 events has increased media attention on her personal life.

Carlos Sainz Sr., the father of the F1 driver, commented when asked about his son’s relationship: “Well, I think getting married and starting a family is a very difficult decision for everyone…” This acknowledgment from Sainz’s family shows the relationship has reached public recognition within the racing world. Donaldson has been noted supporting Sainz at various Grand Prix events throughout the 2023-2025 racing seasons.

The relationship intersects the worlds of fashion and motorsport, creating a sports-fashion nexus that benefits both public profiles. She handles the increased visibility without letting it define her professional identity. This balance is noteworthy in an era where partners of famous athletes often get reduced to labels rather than recognized for their own careers.

Previous Relationships and Public Dating History

Rebecca Donaldson Previous Relationships and Public Dating History

Before her relationship with Carlos Sainz Jr., Rebecca Donaldson was linked to reality TV personality Scott Disick. They walked a red carpet together in April 2022, though the relationship was reportedly brief and ended later that year. Media coverage of the Disick connection brought her increased public attention in entertainment outlets.

The Scott Disick relationship represents a different sphere of public visibility compared to the sports world. Disick’s fame comes from reality television and his previous relationship with Kourtney Kardashian. She has since shifted her public presence toward fashion industry credibility and away from reality TV-adjacent celebrity culture.

Her dating history shows connections to high-profile public figures, but she continues to sustain her professional identity beyond these relationships. This distinction matters in an industry where women can easily be defined solely by who they date. Donaldson’s business ventures and modelling portfolio provide substance that exists independently.

Public Image and Social Media Presence

Donaldson is active on Instagram under the handle @iamrebeccad, where she shares modelling work, Muse Activewear content, travel photos, and personal style. Her feed balances professional fashion shots with behind-the-scenes glimpses and lifestyle content. This mix helps her maintain both a polished brand image and a sense of accessibility.

She offered insight into how her personality differs from her public image: “On social media, where I post shoots and campaigns, I might seem a bit cold. In fact I’m far more ‘goofy’ than people think.” This acknowledgment shows awareness of the gap between carefully curated fashion content and actual personality. Many models face this perception challenge, where serious expressions required for editorial work create a cold impression.

Her social media strategy serves multiple purposes: showcasing her modelling portfolio, promoting her activewear brand, and building influence. The platform gives her direct access to potential Muse Activewear customers without relying solely on traditional retail. It’s a practical business tool that also allows her to control her narrative independently.

Cultural Positioning: Scottish Model in a Global Industry

Rebecca Donaldson occupies an interesting position as a Scottish model in an industry dominated by certain fashion capitals. Her Scottish background and modest entry through a local competition give her a narrative that feels less manufactured. This grounded origin story resonates with audiences tired of overnight success tales.

Her academic credential in fashion branding adds depth beyond typical model profiles. Many models speak about wanting to launch brands “someday,” but Donaldson completed a four-year honours degree and launched a functioning business. This combination of education and action sets her apart in substantive ways.

The convergence of roles—model, entrepreneur, influencer, and partner of a high-profile athlete—creates a modern fashion-industry profile. She represents a generation of models who understand that runway work alone doesn’t provide long-term financial security. Building parallel revenue streams has become essential in an industry where modelling careers can be short-lived.

Legacy and Industry Impact

At age 30 (as of 2025), Donaldson is still building her career rather than reflecting on a completed legacy. Her impact so far lies in demonstrating a viable path for models who want to transition into fashion entrepreneurship. The combination of formal education, modelling experience, and brand ownership creates a template others can follow.

She may serve as a role model for young women navigating the fashion industry with business ambitions. The fact that she launched Muse Activewear during a global pandemic shows resilience and timing. Her willingness to share her journey through interviews helps demystify the process of starting a fashion brand.

Her influence remains primarily within fashion and entrepreneurship circles rather than broader cultural impact. She hasn’t yet reached the level of visibility where she shapes conversations beyond the fashion-sports nexus. Whether she expands into broader advocacy or cultural commentary remains to be seen as her career develops.

Conclusion

Rebecca Donaldson’s journey shows how education, discipline, and creativity can work together in today’s fashion world. From growing up in Scone, Scotland, to walking international runways and launching Muse Activewear, she’s built a career that combines modelling experience with real business insight. Her fashion branding degree and entrepreneurial mindset set her apart from many in the industry.

Now balancing her modelling work, brand growth, and public presence alongside her relationship with F1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr., Rebecca continues to expand her influence thoughtfully. She represents a new kind of model—one who values strategy, professionalism, and long-term growth as much as style.

FAQ’s about Rebecca Donaldson

How old is Rebecca Donaldson? 

Rebecca Donaldson was born on July 24, 1995, making her 30 years old as of November 2025.

What is Rebecca Donaldson’s height? 

She stands approximately 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters) tall, standard for runway modelling.

What is Rebecca Donaldson’s net worth? 

Her estimated net worth is approximately US £12.5 million as of 2025 from modelling, endorsements, and her activewear brand.

What brand did Rebecca Donaldson create? 

She launched Muse Activewear in 2020, a minimalist activewear line focused on versatile gym wear.

Is Rebecca Donaldson dating Carlos Sainz? 

Yes, she has been publicly dating Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr. since mid-2023.

What education does Rebecca Donaldson have? 

She holds an honours degree in International Fashion Branding, completed over four years while modelling part-time.

Where is Rebecca Donaldson from? 

She was born in Scone, Perth and Kinross, Scotland, and attended Perth Academy before pursuing her modelling career.

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