REIFhaus is one of those brands that I feel like I've known my whole life, so many friends in common, so many people talking to me about Lindsey's beautiful line and beautiful heart. I am so thrilled and excited to finally be working together and especially to host the presentation of her AW16 collection at our downtown LA location. 

Authenticating the brand's slogan "Die Zeit ist REIF" (German for "the time is ripe"), Portland based designer Lindsey Reif carefully and thoughtfully nurtures each concept into it's prime. REIFhaus blurs the line between edgy innovation and classic sophistication. The brand's unique designs fuse elements of the past with modern silhouettes and textiles, giving way to a line of timeless, quality attire.

Marta: Hi Lindsey! It is so great to finally work together! First things always first, how did this whole adventure start? How did REIFhaus get to be REIFhaus?

M: I love when things happen just mainly because they had to, no marked path just life doing its thing! Vintage and how to alter those vintage pieces was a great inspiration for me as well, I think deconstructing pieces is one of the best (and most fun!) things to do, not only do you get to see how things are made, but you gain an understanding on fits that I think absolutely reflects on your work, Lindsey! Was designing something that you always knew you wanted to do?

L: I always wanted to be an artist of some sort - being a clothing designer wasn't necessarily on my radar until I started college and moved out on my own, but looking back I can see that it was there as a child.  I remember very vividly making dresses for my dolls out of tissues, and covering them with tape so they could be worn again later.

M: Oh I wish we could see those doll outfits now!! I bet they were unbelivable! Is art your biggest inspiration still? Would you say a color, a textile, a pattern...What usually sets a whole collection in motion? What are the first steps when designing a new season? 

L: It really depends!  Sometimes it's a textile - I'm really attracted to texture and I often design a piece around a textile rather than trying to find the right textile for the piece. Often it's a shape or a detail that will begin the inspiration process - for example in the AW16 I was inspired by creating volume in unexpected ways.  The Ripple Sweater is a good example - ruffles have a reputation for being hyper feminine, and I was interested in using them as more of an austere detail and less girly.  That's a big theme for a lot of my designs.  I want women to feel feminine by wearing clothing that they like and feel comfortable in - rather than what society tells them they should wear.

M: I love ruffles! And everybody is always very surprised as, as you said, they are perceived as a very femenine shape, but I always saw something very dramatic and architectural in them, always instantly attracted to volume and shape and of course I was instantly attracted to this particular collection! It is so subtle and wearable yet so interesting and rich! 

I know that art and keeping it simple, comfortable and interesting is a very important part of what REIFhaus is, but what is it that is most important for you as a brand? What are the fundaments of it? And what keeps you motivated to continue doing what you do?

M: Thank you so much Lindsey! We are so excited and so happy to have you! Can't wait for all our amazing LA customers to discover your designs! 

M: Ok, and now to finish the worst question of all, it is just a classic that has to be made haha. I want to know how you envision REIF HAUS in a decade, where would you want it to be? What would you want it to be?

L: I don't envision REIFhaus to be a huge brand, but rather a cult favorite and carried in a curated selection of shops.  I am very hands on with my designs, and that is really important to me, and that gets harder and harder to maintain the larger a company becomes.   

M: Thank you so much Lindsey! It has been a real pleasure!

Please, all, come by our POP UP at the LA Shop until the end of September!

And come by this Friday, September 9th to meet Lindsey, grab a cocktail, enjoy the beautiful artwork by Francesca Capone and shop Lindsey's release of the AW16 collection!

More HERE

All picture courtesy of REIF HAUS