Die Zeit ist Reif

This blog is MOVING

2011-05-17T18:06:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, I am giving my line a bit of a facelift, and I've decided to switch my blog over to a different platform. You can now find me, blogging a lot more, hopefully, here.

Smitten...

2011-05-10T10:26:00.000-07:00

So I just found some photos from the fashion show on Friday. SO GOOD! I'm really happy with all the looks and the collaboration between my clothes and Coco's jewelry worked very well. Everything was well styled, and the Jeffrey Campbell shoes I used for the runway really helped get the 1970's vibe out there. Photos taken by Amanda Smith.

Now that these garments have walked down the runway, I can get them ready for wholesale - this collection will be available for Spring 2012! Get ready!

And here's the dress I made for the Vitamin Water challenge, which opened the show. My flavor was 'rhythym'. It's a trapeze style tank dress with hand dyed fringe on the bottom and printed overlay. I'm happy with the way it turned out!

Backstage at the OPEN SEASON fashion show

2011-05-07T21:31:00.000-07:00

Its amazing how much work goes into getting ready for a runway show, and its all over in 5 minutes. Last night was the Portland Mercury's annual fashion show, called Open Season.

I am really happy with how everything turned out, and it was cool to see all of the designers I've shown with in the past, as well as meet some of the new designers, who showed some great stuff!

The morning of the show I finished my look for the Vitamin Water challenge, which basically involved designing a garment inspired by a flavor. Mine was rhythym, and I made a trapeze dress with layered yellow fringe on the bottom, inspired by 1920's jazz dresses, with a vibrate leopard print on top. Its a radically different dress than I've ever made before, but I'm happy with it - it's always good to challenge yourself! Here it is.

It was lovely to work with Coco from Coco Cardenas on the accessories for the show, and I wouldn't have been able to pull it all off without help from my best friend Clarity, and my other helping hands!

Also, my models were so great! They were all so sweet and easy to work with, and they looked great. I really lucked out.

Here are some photos from backstage at the show. I can't wait to see the official runway photos and I will post them as soon as I get them, video too! Being backstage during the show, I don't get to watch it at all until I see the video.

It's that time of year again!

2011-04-26T11:05:00.000-07:00

Springtime at the Reif Haus always means crazy, hectic, sewing times. For the third year in a row I will be showing at the Portland Mercury's annual fashion show, alongside the best of the best in local talent. I'm really excited, to debut my new collection at the show, along with accessories from my friend Coco's line Coco Cardenas.

This year's show also will feature the three winner's of Project Runway to come out of Portland, Leanne Marshall, Gretchen Jones, and Seth Aaron Henderson. I'm excited to show alongside them!

Tickets are going fast, and they're cheaper in advance, so I would recommend you purchase them here.

Photos and video will be on the blog for those of you outside of Portland that want to see what I've been up to.

work.place

2011-03-03T17:48:00.000-08:00

Local Portland photographer Carlie Armstrong stopped by my studio a few weeks ago and snapped some photos of my space and me working on the new collection. Carlie's new photo project, called work.place documents the creative process of some of Portland's artistic community and showcases local talent.

The project is photographed entirely in analog, using a vintage twin lense Yashica-D camera, which gives all of the photos an ethereal feeling.

It was so much fun to have Carlie in my studio - please check out the work.place blog for more photos, as well as Carlie's other blog, Thistle and Lace where she shows off her lovely photographs and promotes her online vintage clothing shop on etsy.

Tell them I don't smoke cigars.....

2010-11-09T17:22:00.001-08:00

I'm about to start designing a new collection for Fall '11. I've decided to take a season off to refocus and recharge, but I can't wait to get started on some new garments. My muse for this collection is Bonnie Parker, a lady who I feel like really embodies the woman I design for. She's tough, yet still very ladylike. She provided the sex appeal to Bonnie and Clyde, and without her I doubt the couple would be as infamous as they are.

Here are some images of Bonnie herself, as well as some of Faye Dunnaway in her 1970's portrayal of Ms. Parker.

It's been a long time.

2010-10-08T21:08:00.001-07:00

DAAAAANG! So an entire summer just went by (and then some) since I last posted on this blog. Woopsie! Life kept me pretty busy this summer, but now things are starting to return to normal. Don't let my blogging absence make you think that I haven't been working hard. Quite the contrary, actually.

1. New Studio. Its rad, I'll post pics soon.

2. New Intern. Janine, she's been a big help!

3. New collection for Fall '10! Photos should be up soon. This collection has actually been in stores for a month or two, but I've been sewing like crazy to fill orders and haven't had much time for the internet.

Here's a video from Portland's Fashion Night Out, which happened September 10th. FNO has been happening for years now in other cities such as New York and LA, and now Portland has joined the ranks, choosing to promote sustainability in fashion. I was interviewed by Casey Hatfield from NetGreen News about the event and about my latest collection.

The Portland Mercury also interviewed me for the event. You can find that here.

I promise to keep up on blogging from now on, so please check back often! I've got photos from photo shoot colabs and so much more for you in the coming weeks.

Redecorating the Reif Haus

2010-05-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

There's been a lot of transition and change in my life lately, most recently regarding my living situation. Right now I live in a house with four other housemates, three of which are moving out in the next couple of months for various reasons, such as going to grad school, pursuing life in the big city, and moving in with a significant other. I'm sad about loosing these housemates and friends, because this is by far the best communal living situation I've had in Portland, but I'm excited for the change and transition its bringing to my own life as well. I've got some rad new roomies lined up to move in, and I am also downsizing to a smaller room in the house, so to offset the cost of the new work studio I'll be moving into next week (so excited about that). Its going to be such a relief to finally be able to separate my home from my work. Maybe I'll come home and actually READ A BOOK or something, instead of having my work in front of me all the time and feeling guilty about all the things I SHOULD be doing. Guilt is probably the only thing I learned in college - you should always be working on something or reading ahead instead of enjoying yourself.

I took some time out last week to redecorate my living room, which after the departure of one of my housemates, was left with nothing but a rug and a bike pump. So depressing. I've been spending too much time in my room and not enough in my living room, and with the new smaller room I hope that will change. Now I feel good about the space and I actually sit in the living room and do computing, rather than hiding upstairs.

I found some really cool decorating items at thrift stores this week. In fact, it was probably the biggest thrifting score I've had in a long time. Ah, retail therapy! I found this cool stained glass pyramid thing, and this myrtle wood bowl and white ceramic twigs.

I also found science beakers, a wooden shoe form, and these cool hot pads (at least thats what i intend to use them for. I also bought my first ever living room furniture - a Barcelona chair and ottoman that I scored at a rad deal from a friend.

Most of the other decor I already had - the air plants, old photographs and wall hangings. I'm so excited to actually use the space, and am looking forward to the distraction of redecorating my new bedroom and studio. I'll post photos. If you thought that fashion blogs were distracting, try decorating blogs. I've been pouring over them for the past week looking for ideas.

Soft Metals

2010-05-26T18:56:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago Patricia Hall from the Portland-based electronic duo Soft Metals asked me to help out with wardrobe styling for a promotional photoshoot. I have seen Soft Metals play several times and I knew that some of the pieces I made for the Mercury show would look really great on Patricia and fit well with their music. I haven't made any menswear in a while, however, so for Ian's wardrobe I just went over to his house and went through his closet. It turned out super well, if I do say so myself!

The photography was done by Jamen Lee, whose work I was introduced to for the first time right before the shoot took place. I was super impressed with his work! I love some of the double exposure stuff he does. He did this shoot all in analog, with some black and white and some color film.

I used some of the custom jewelry made by Emily Baker in the shoot as well. We went to several locations around Cathedral Park in Portland, underneath the Saint Johns Bridge, which I must say is my favorite out of all of the twelve bridges in the city.

It was a pleasure to work with all of them, and I hope to do it again soon! I'm talking with Soft Metals about making some custom garb for them to perform in. Speaking of performing, if you're in Portland, check them out on June 11th at Mississippi Studios!

Open Season Video

2010-05-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

I found this video from the fashion show. I was hoping that someone had gotten footage, because I didn't get to see the show at all because I was frantically running around.

Enjoy!

Open Season Fashion Show

2010-05-12T15:53:00.000-07:00

Hey friends!

The fashion show on Friday was a success, and I've been enjoying some free time and much needed rest this week. I just got some photos back from the show - so exciting! Thanks to all the lovely ladies who modeled for me and to Clarity and Anna for helping me out backstage. Everyone looked great, and the only thing that went wrong was a strap popped off of one the dresses, but Nicki worked it anyways. Also thanks to the amazing Emily Baker of Sword + Fern for making some custom jewelry for the show. Maybe I'll post some photos just of the jewelry soon, they are truly amazing.

These photos are courtesy of Roll 35 and Chloe Richard.

We are the Happy Haus.

2010-05-02T19:00:00.001-07:00

We definitely have much to be happy about this week at the Reif Haus. On Friday, May 7th we'll be showing alongside 10 other talented Portland designers at the annual Mercury fashion show.

I'll be showing mostly pieces from our Spring '10 collection, along with a few new garments to round things out, including an evening gown! I want to give the viewer a glimpse of what was inspiring me when designing this collection. For me inspiration is a very general statement, and I'll often start with one direct inspiration and when the collection is finished it that inspiration only is visible on a subtle level. So this time around I'm pulling out all the stops and letting Portland know what's up.

Karen Vitt from the Neat Sheet did a nice write-up of the show which is available here.

Here is a little hint of what is in store:

See you on Friday!

Spring '10 on Etsy!

2010-04-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

Hello, Kittens (I've been reading too much Tom & Lorenzo apparently).

I just uploaded the first round of Springtime goodies to my etsy shop. Check it out here.

INK Magazine shoot

2010-04-01T18:05:00.000-07:00

The Spring 2010 issue of INK Magazine was just released today, and we couldn't be happier! The Open Road Motorcycle Jacket was featured as the centerfold spread, as well as the Suit Yourself Bustier and Skirt - this is the first time any of my garments have been published outside of Portland. I'm so stoked! Click the link above to see the whole issue, or for those of you who are impatient here are the images they published:

Thanks to the team from INK for being so supportive of emerging designers! Portland labels Bridge and Burn and Kate Towers are also featured.

Springtime!

2010-03-29T18:23:00.000-07:00

I just realized that its been a while since I've blogged. So much has been going on here lately that I just haven't had the time. We're almost finished with Spring '10 production, and orders are being shipped out daily. I'm so excited to start wearing my own pieces from the collection. We had our usual "spring fakeout" here in Portland, where it got really sunny and nice, but the past couple of days have been the usual - rainy, rainy.

Many exciting things are happening this spring. My birthday is on Sunday, and I'm looking forward to hanging out with friends and relaxing.

I'm going to be releasing the Fall '10 collection in the next week as well. I'm a bit behind schedule getting everything ready - needless to say it's been a stressful few months. I think its for the best though, because I'm planning for very exciting things for Spring '11, and don't want to create more work than I can handle before that.

What I'm really excited about, is the annual fashion show put on by the Portland Mercury. It will be happening May 7th at the Bossanova. Because it's a "between seasons" show, I'll be combining some pieces from my Spring '10 and Fall '10 collections. I think the most important thing is to show Portlanders garments that they can buy NOW, not a season from now. I'm also creating a few new pieces to round things out!

Here are some photos inspiring me as I get ready for the show:

Also, I started another blog with my friend and MUA for my photo shoots, Clarity. Its street style, thrift store finds, and other things that we love. You can find it here.

Images courtesty of WeHeartIt and Them Thangs and Fashion Gone Rouge.

Blumen...

2010-03-03T01:08:00.000-08:00

Today's post is a short one - I just wanted to share this Einsturzende Neubauten video I came across last night. I had never seen the video for this song before, it's quite amazing. Especially Blixa Bargeld's slightly creepy dancing. This song is from their album Tabula Rosa, released in 1993. Enjoy!

Best Day Ever...

2010-02-26T16:42:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday I took some time out from my massive to-do list to head out to Breitenbush Hot Springs with my bff Clarity. I've been shipping out orders like crazy and getting ready to launch my fall '10 collection, as well as dealing with a lot of personal stress, so the soak in the springs was much needed. Breitenbush is really cool, I would love to go back and stay there for a few days in one of the cabins. It reminds me of 70's hippie summer camp - the "lodge" had all kinds of folk art on the walls and they only serve vegetarian food there.

It was raining lightly while we were there, which felt really good when we were in the soaking pools. I love Oregon. We're so lucky and spoiled here to have such natural beauty all around us and to have places like Breitenbush so close to the city. The drive home was not quite as awesome though, because Clarity and I were both totally zoned out and relaxed, and that isn't the best state of mind to be in on a dark, windy road in the rain. We listened to Joni Mitchell on the way home, which couldn't have been more perfect.

Now, it's back to the grindstone! Images from WeHeartIt and scans from the book "Quilting & Patchwork" that I found at Goodwill recently.

xo!

Feelin' the Love...

2010-02-13T22:24:00.001-08:00

Hey everybody! I am in the middle of production for Spring '10, and trying to organize a photoshoot and finish samples for Fall '10, so I really should NOT be blogging, or doing anything else besides sewing, really. But I wanted to tell you that styles from our Fall '09 collection are marked up to 50% off in both the Etsy shop and on our online store. Exciting, huh? Get yourself a warm pullover, a cute skirt, or a tuxedo romper before it's too late. All of my designs are limited run, so get them while you can.

I'll be spending this Valentine's day sewing and crushing out on my friends and how mind-blowingly awesome they are. I hope your V-Day is full of love, too, whether friend love or otherwise. I'm still holding out for a secret admirer to sweep me off my feet, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

Images from WeHeartIt.

Happiness

2010-02-03T00:24:00.000-08:00

Today was a beautiful day here in Portland. This winter has been unusually dry and full of sunshine-y days, which I am not complaining about at all. The rainy Pacific NW climate is much milder than the snowy one that I grew up in, but the perma- soggy socks and pant cuffs get to be kind of a drag after a while. Most of our winter days are notoriously grey, so on the few days that we do get sunshine everyone in the city seems to be in a great mood. Here are some of the things that make me happy all the time, even when the sun isn't shining:

1. Tweed Bike Ride

I'm sad that I heard about this event after the fact! Portland has tons of themed bike rides, but I think this is my favorite one so far. The 1st Annual Tweed Ride was held on January 30th, starting at Skidmore Fountain. Riders dressed up in their finest tweeds, and biked a 14 mile route that ended in a tea party and luncheon. Beyond adorable! After seeing some of the photos from the event, I must say I'm very impressed by how dapper everyone looked - there was some really great fashion happening. I especially love these shots, which were taken by BikeRanger.

2. Succulents

I decided to make a succulent garden the other day after finding this really pretty open glass jar at Goodwill. I have always loved succulents, not only because of the way they look, but also because I'm lazy and don't water my plants as often as I should. This was really easy to make - just get some succulent soil mix, gravel, and whatever plants and rocks you want!

3. La Photo Cabine

La Photo Cabine is a super cute French website that uses the web cam on your computer to take four photos of you, and they come out looking like old photo booth photos. It reminds me of Amelie! Here is the one I took today, while drinking coffee out of my favorite mug of all time that says "Sewing forever, housework whenever".

4. These shoes.

Hopefully they will be en route to my doorstep very soon. Available at Nasty Gal Vintage. At the rate I'm going, it won't be long before I need an entire closet just for shoes. So addicted!

5. Aerial views.

I found this image at Them Thangs. It reminds me of being on an airplane as a kid and looking down at the earth and seeing the patchwork patterns formed by fields growing different colors of grains, and the roads and rivers dividing them, almost as if they were the stitching on a quilt.

6. Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane

I think I've listened to this record at least 20 times in the past week. This is my favorite song from the album - so beautiful, so haunting.

Also, this one is pretty great.

Alright, its time for this girl to go to bed. Stay tuned, I'm updating the Etsy Shop in the next few days with some exclusive experimental garments - most involving either lace or sheer fabric (!) so start saving your pennies.

I want to hear about some of the things that make YOU happy!

Mystic..

2010-01-20T02:26:00.001-08:00

Lately I've been reaching out to the universe to show me how to ride this great wave of change that is happening in my life. Even though change is awesome, I don't like uncertainty, and I find myself staying up too late trying to erase some of the giant question marks floating around in my head. Here are some inspiring images I found while thinking about the future. Images from WeHeartIt.

Things we love: Menswear

2010-01-14T20:01:00.000-08:00

Hi friends,

I've been wanting to do a post about menswear for quite a while now, I just finally got around to gathering up some of my favorite images from the web. I love men's clothing, and dressing men, but I know that most men (especially here in Portland) feel either clueless or overwhelmed by fashion. So here are some of my favorite looks for men. They are a smattering from Stil in Berlin and The Street Hearts.

Things we love:
1. Knee length coats/trenches
2. Rolled pant cuffs with dress shoes

More things we love:
3. Fitted blazers
4. 1950's style hair (longer in the front and swooped back)
5. Splashes of color/patterns paired with neutral solids
6. Scarves

Other peoples lives...

2010-01-05T11:59:00.001-08:00

Today marks the four year anniversary of my return to Portland from a study abroad program I did in Barcelona, Spain. I can't believe its been four years - it seems like only yesterday. Even though I was only there for six months, Barcelona left a permanent imprint on my heart and I can't wait to go back for a visit.

One of my favorite places to go there was the 'Els Encants' flea market in the Plaça de les Glories. Els Encants is an open air market with vendors selling everything from antiques and collectibles to pirated movies and designer knock offs. I found some amazing treasures there.

I've always been fascinated with old family photographs. Here are some of the gems I found at the flea market. If I had to guess, I would say they were taken in the 1950's or so.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T13:12:00.001-08:00

Normally I'm pretty indifferent about the new year, but this year I'm looking forward to changes and newness. 2009 was full of many exciting things and big accomplishments, but also a lot of stagnant energy. Change is such a scary thing, but also very exhilarating, and even though things happen that hurt like hell at the time, I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Here are some of the new things I'm looking forward to in 2010:

The potential for New Love:

New Collection for Fall/Winter '10, which should be ready at the end of the month. My inspiration for this collection is 1940's German military clothing and 90's grunge style. I'll be playing with proportion and layering, and a lot of different types of fabric this time around - vintage lace, end-run wool chalis, and performance sherpa fleece. It's gonna be a goodie.

I spent Christmas day this year with Gretchen from MothLove, her boyfriend Jordan and some other nice folks. We watched the movie Inglorious Basterds, which in addition to being a great movie, had a lot of amazing costumes in it. In particular, I loved the style of the main character, played by Melanie Laurent. I'm kind of obsessed with her, actually. She's so beautiful and French looking.

New Website, hang tags, and garment labels. Just in time for the Spring '10 collection to hit stores! Here's a little preview - image created by Ada Mayer:

Yay for change! I hope everyone else has wonderful things happening for them this year. Prospero año nuevo, amigos. Hasta pronto...

Hair Crush

2009-12-22T11:53:00.000-08:00

I found this image on Krystyn's blog. Hair crush, outfit crush, girl crush...

Inspiration: Polaroids

2009-12-17T21:13:00.001-08:00

It's been a CRAZY month! Things are finally starting to settle down, but the past couple of weeks feel like they've been a blurry haze and my to do list is weighing heavy on my shoulders. Many exciting things happening in the coming months, now if I can just get it all done!

Here are some cool polaroids I came across while procrastinating on tackling my to do list.

funny.

pretty.

quirky.

sexy.

Have a nice weekend everybody!
All images from We Heart It

All I want for Christmas is....

2009-12-08T17:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas is right around the corner! This year, there is really only one thing that I want for Christmas, and that something is not a material possession and those who know me well know what I'm talking about. As for the rest of you, I'm not telling. BUT just in case you want to buy me something pretty this holiday season, here are some of my favorite things:

These AMAZING shoes from Halo Shoes here in Portland. They are the perfect modern take on vintage hiking boots. All the great detail without all the bulk!

Love this sketch book, available at Sword+Fern

This actual working telescope necklace, and...

...this necklace, both available from Crumpet Cake's Etsy Shop.

Icon Tattoo Holiday Party Video

2009-12-07T13:01:00.001-08:00

I had a blast this Saturday at the Icon Tattoo Holiday Party. Despite being extremely tired, I was able to sound somewhat coherent on this video by Karen Vitt from the Neat Sheet. If you want to see me, fast forward the video to 51 seconds. It's so weird hearing your own voice on camera!

Not only are the ladies that run Icon Tattoo totally adorable, but they know how to throw a good party. There were carolers, a cake walk, a bar, and free coconut hot chocolate! Plus tons of great vendors - I had to resist the urge to shop for myself!

Spring/Summer '10 Preview

2009-11-30T13:55:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,

I wanted to share with you all a preview of my Spring/Summer '10 Collection. Just a sneak peek...to get you excited.

Some of my favorites are the Suit Yourself Bustier and the Open Road Jacket, available in Organic Cotton twill. Also the Kiss and Tell Shorts, a tap style short, in black, flora (the best floral print ever), and mauve.

This collection has been picked up by a few new stores, here they are. I'm so thankful for all of my wholesale accounts, old and new.

Frank James - Portland, Oregon

Zschoche - Newport Beach, CA

La Rousse - Online, but based out of Seattle, WA

Also, as always, everything will be available on my online store.

Inspiration of the Week: Colorful Accessories

2009-11-24T22:24:00.000-08:00

I love neutrals. Perhaps a bit too much. My closet is a sea of grey, black, tan, and navy, and these are the colors that I use as the foundation for my collections.

It's not that I don't like colors - I'm just picky. I do admire people who do great things with color in their outfits. Props to them, but that will simply never be my style.

My favorite way to incorporate a little bit of color into a wardrobe is with punchy accessories. I will always have a soft spot for red shoes, colorful bracelets and scarves. Above is one of my favorite looks, courtesy of Hel-Looks. I love everything about this girl's style, but most of all the amazing turquoise shoes!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everybody!

Oh So Domestic...

2009-11-19T20:30:00.000-08:00

Autumn is the season that I look forward to the most because it gives me time to actually finish the projects I've been putting off. I want to do nothing more than make art projects, cook/bake delicious things, listen to records, and watch old TV shows on the internet.

As promised, I'm dedicating this post to projects I have recently completed, as well as some that I will be embarking on in the future (like baking pie).

Here are my string art pieces that I just finished yesterday:

I picked up these vintage string art frames a couple of years ago, and just now got around to actually doing something with them. I love the sturdy wood frames and their unique shapes. I used beige twine (the kind of stuff you'd tie up a turkey with) and dyed it shades of grey, black, and navy. What can I say - I'm a sucker for neutrals!

The second, larger frame I wanted to use a backdrop for some of my vintage photo collection. I have a thing for vintage photos of people that I don't know. It's so eerie and beautiful to glimpse into the lives of complete strangers. I think it turned out well - what do you think?

Here is the hat I just finished knitting. It took me two days and about ten episodes of Twin Peaks to finish it. I'm kind of obsessive and impatient when it comes to knitting - I see something and I want it NOW. That's the plus side of sewing vs. knitting - much more instant gratification. But exercising my patience is good for me sometimes...

The hat turned out too big, so I got it wet and put it in the dryer for about 30 minutes and.... PERFECTION! There is a cute eyelet design near the top, but it's hard for me to get a detail shot. I'm asking Santa for a new digital camera so I can take real pictures instead of having to rely on my laptop camera.

Oh, and can you believe that Thanksgiving is in ONE WEEK?! The holiday season sure snuck up on me this year - it feels like summer was only yesterday, and the end of 2009 is almost here. This year I'm taking on the challenge of Thanksgiving desert for about 16-20 people. I'm thinking Pumpkin Pie and Persimmon Pudding.

I'd love to hear your favorite Thanksgiving desert recipes!

Until Next Time....

Lindsey featured on Urban Weeds

2009-11-17T20:12:00.000-08:00

Awesome Portland Street Style blog Urban Weeds caught up with me in front of the Fresh Pot (where I also work) a couple of weeks ago. The took some photos and asked me what inspires my style.

Despite the stereotype of Oregonians in their performance fleece and hiking boots, there are so many Portlanders with great style, and Urban Weeds does a great job of showing it off!

I'm planning a bigger post tomorrow, with some diy projects I've been working on. Check back - it'll be a goodie!

Here's a hint.... (Photo from WeHeartIt)

Inspiration: Geometric shapes and natural elements

2009-11-08T20:21:00.000-08:00

Right now I'm working on re-branding Reif, and am planning to launch an updated website in January or February. Here are some things that are inspiring me like crazy right now. All images from WeHeartIt.

Covetables...

2009-11-05T23:56:00.001-08:00

Some things that I'm currently obsessed with...

1. Rachel Comey ankle boots - Available at Stand Up Comedy. Too bad they're sold out of my size...

2. Installation by Genevieve Dellinger at last month's Content '09 event. That quilt is made from Pendleton wool - yum. I want this to be my bedroom.

3. Leather backpack by Ora, made from recycled leather in Vancouver, BC. Available for purchase at Nouvelle, Nouvelle.

4. Woven knot rug by Portland designer Hazel Cox. This was her installation at Content '09, and she tells me these rugs will be available for sale in February. I need one.

5. I want to be these ladies. Love matching friends! Photo via here.

Stay tuned for a small blog re-vamp this weekend! I'll hopefully be blogging on a regular schedule this week as well, so check back often.

Xo,

Lindsey

Hello, Autumn....

2009-11-03T15:48:00.001-08:00

My favorite season, Autumn, is in full swing. Here at the Reif Haus, the interns and I are busy organizing and cleaning up after the frenzy of fall '09 production, and planning for our next collection. So excited! Fall '10 so far is looking very cozy.... luxurious sweater knits and wool jerseys, and lots and lots of layering.

I'm continually inspired by vintage military fashion, because of its emphasis on form and function, so some elements of that will likely show up as well.

Before things get crazy again, I'm also taking some time out for myself, to complete a few projects I've been putting off for too long.

1) Winter knitting - I'm working on a circle scarf and a winter hat. Maybe they'll show up in my fall collection, who knows?

2) Setting up a textile show at the Fresh Pot here in Portland. I moonlight as a barista, and also curate the art shows. I'm in search of amazing textile artists - geometric quilts, etc. Any suggestions would be most helpful!

3) Working on some re-branding, a new and updated website, as well as new labels.

Images from We Heart It.

Content 09: Photos, Pt. 1

2009-10-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

My digital camera recently suffered an unfortunate death after an entire bottle of water spilled in my bag. I haven't been without a camera for a long time, and while I am not the best photographer, I've missed it dearly! Particularly last weekend, during Content '09, where 37 of Portland's most talented designers took over the second floor of the Ace Hotel.

I not only wanted documentation of my own room, but also some of my favorite things from the other designer's rooms. I was so proud of everyone who participated - the event went off without a hitch (at least none that I know of) and all of the designers involved pulled out all of the stops on their rooms. It was amazing!

Here are some photos of my room, I know that there are more that were taken by friends, but I have yet to shake them down for the photos.

As you may have already guessed, the room had a very cosmic theme. I have been watching a lot of episodes of Cosmos by Carl Sagan, and that was definitely my main inspiration for the room. I wanted to tie the Universe into sustainability, and with a little help from my housemate, Manot, I was able to convey that message. In case you can't read what the big black sign says, here it is:

We are children of the universe with a chance to move FASHION FORWARD; to enhance life using SUSTAINABLE fabrics and TIMELESS designs, meant to last. We are particles of the past dressing parties of the future.

I also took several quotes from Sagan himself, and made smaller signs which hung around the room:

We are star stuff

The sky calls to us

Hello from the children of planet earth.

I also had a projection of stars exploding, as well as original music by my boyfriend and band Mori.

On the bed were some throw pillows that I made myself - I'm really proud of them! The goal was to recreate some of my favorite images of Nebulae from the Hubble Site. I did this with a combination of bleach and fabric paint.

The idea for this originally came when I was trying to do an "acid wash" technique to a t-shirt. I put straight bleach in a spray bottle, then sprayed it on the fabric. The bleach took a few minutes to develop, and the result reminded me of stars. The most condensed part of the bleach was in the center, and the area around it have various shades of pinkish-orange. For the throw pillows, I diluted fabric paint to create the greens, blues and purples found in the nebulae, and then accented some of the "stars" with white fabric paint. I am really happy with the result - these photos don't do them justice. I'm thinking of putting them up on etsy - what do you think?

Photo info:

1. The lovely Amanda (hair/mua and model) Photo by Chilhood Flames

2. Candid shot of the room during, before the madness began. Photos by Minh Tran

3. My Intern, Anna, waiting for the doors to open.

4. Mia, my favorite model, wearing some new designs.

More photos soon!

xo,

Lindsey

Outfit of the Week!

2009-10-21T19:04:00.001-07:00

Lindsey
Suit Yourself Bustier in White Organic Cotton Twill
(Spring '10 Collection)

Astrid Pants in Grey Wool
(Brand new style - will most likely be available for Fall '10)

Sunglasses and Backpack, vintage

Earrings, Betsy and Iya (Portland jewelry designer)

Nebulae

2009-10-14T18:08:00.000-07:00

Here are some beautiful images that are inspiring us this week:

Photos courtesy of HubbleSite

1. The Omega/Swan Nebula
2. Dying Star HD 44179
3. Cone Nebula
4. Bubble Nebula

Radish Underground celebrates One Year!

2009-10-14T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

The lovely ladies of Radish Underground are celebrating one year since they opened their Downtown Portland shop. Celeste and Gina have definitely made their mark on the Portland boutique scene in this short amount of time, hosting fabulous First Thursday gatherings featuring talented local designers and artists. They've also carved out a place for them selves by carrying accessible and sustainable garments for a wide range of folks.

Also...they have men's clothes!

So come celebrate with us on October 20th, and wish the Radish Underground ladies many more prosperous years.

Outfit of the Week!

2009-10-12T14:24:00.000-07:00

This week we are showing a look we just created for Fall 2010!
Let us know what you think... most likely it will be available in other colors, like black, navy, and maybe a nice green or teal.

Lindsey
Wearing the Scrunch Turtleneck Dress in a sample color "Frosted Fern"
Black American Apparel Leggings
Vintage "Biker Bitch on the Prairie" boots (Lindsey's own)
Earrings by Emily Baker

Room 205: Before

2009-10-12T14:04:00.001-07:00

Here are some before photos of the room I will be inhabiting for Content '09. Come to the event to see how it is transformed in person, or stay tuned for photos next week!

"We are star stuff..."

2009-10-11T00:07:00.000-07:00

Please come to this rad event, and support Portland's independent design community!
It will surely be a blast.

Original music by Mori (www.mori.nu) and visual art by Lindsey Reif.

Outfit of the Week!

2009-10-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Anna (Reif's new Intern!)
Wearing the Germaine Pullover in black.
Shorts J Crew
Boots Steve Madden

As the weather gets colder, this sweater would look great paired with some leggings. Here are some great ones by one of my favorite etsy sellers, Norwegian Wood. Also, these amazing Jeffrey Cambell heels, available here.

Things we love: Pendleton!

2009-10-04T01:08:00.000-07:00

Fall is upon us here in Portland, and I find myself longing to beef up my fall wardrobe with all kinds of warm and cozy things. One of my faves this season is a collaboration between the store Opening Ceremony and the Oregon brand Pendleton. Interesting combination, yes?

Pendleton has always been well respected for quality, as well as their iconic native prints that have been sighted all over the runways this past year. Let's face it, while their prints and fabric are great, their garments are a bit out dated. This is where Opening Ceremony comes in.

In celebration with Pendleton's 100 year anniversary, OC and Pendleton released a collection that breathes a whole new life into the Oregon brand's characteristic woolens.

I love it.

Outfit of the Week!

2009-09-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

Lindsey

wearing the Birthday Romper
Open Road Jacket (available Spring 2010)
shoes and belt– designer's own; vintage

Content 09

2009-09-13T19:40:00.000-07:00

I'm really pleased to be participating in what is sure to be the most talked about fashion event in Portland. It takes place October 18, 2009, at the Ace Hotel in Portland. The most stylish hotel in the city will be hosting 35 of Portland's finest independent clothing and accessory designers, each in their own hotel room, for an evening of fashion, music, and art.

Tickets are $10 in advance/$12 at the door and can be purchased from the event's website

New friends and New Stores!

2009-09-08T11:07:00.001-07:00

New friends
Originally uploaded by Ornamental Things

I just returned from Las Vegas where I was showing the Reif S/S '10 Collection at the Pool Tradeshow. My booth was in the Emerging Concepts section, which is an area set aside for up-and-coming talent so that they can have a trade show experience without having the huge financial set back of a regular booth.

I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know the other designers in the Emerging Concepts, and as we were saying our good byes on the last day I was feeling that "last day of summer camp" kind of feeling. There were some really great designers showing along with me, and I hopefully will have a sweet new wardrobe from them by Spring. I know that they are all going to do really well.

Here are the links to their sites, so you can check them out for yourself:

Ornamental Things
Everyday or Eternal
Orange
Ai for Ai
Every Little Counts
and
Dusen Dusen

I count myself lucky to have met all of these great designers, and now I have people to visit when I go to LA, NY and Austin!

Fall 09 Now Available for Sale

2009-08-24T11:26:00.001-07:00

Greetings friends,

I just added the Fall 09 Collection to the online store. Go check it out!

http://reifclothing.bigcartel.com/

xo,
Lindsey

Save the Date....

2009-07-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

Be sure not to miss this sale - clearance items from over 50 Portland boutiques and designers. Huge discounts on great clothing! Get there early, the best deals sell out fast.

I know it's 1000 degrees outside....

2009-07-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

...but the time you'll spend cooped up in the AC will give you plenty of time to plan your fall wardrobe purchases.

Stop by the Online Shop to take advantage of the fall/holiday pre-order period, which lasts until August 15th.

You'll receive 10% off the price everyone else will pay when the collection hits stores. Here's how it works: Email me, tell me what style/size/color you'd like, then there is a 50% deposit, which is payable through PayPal. Your item will ship out on September 1st, and you'll be billed for the rest of the amount at that time.

Don't miss the opportunity to score some cool fall threads at a discounted price, before the season even starts!

Don't mess with me, I'll cut you...

2009-07-25T02:37:00.001-07:00

That's how I feel when I wear my new necklace-in-progress.

The necklace was inspired by a piece from Ann Demeulemeester, an influential Belgian designer known for creating dark, gothic inspired clothing.

I stumbled across the necklace on the Fashion Flux blog and soon became obsessed. Because I am sure the Demeulemeester necklaces are a bit out of my price range, I decided to try making my own.

First, I found a small pair of scissors. Ideally I would like some that are even smaller, maybe some lovely crane scissors. Then, I spray painted them black with a matte finish. I can't really open them, which is a bummer, but they sure do look pretty.

The original pair have the tips painted white, which in my opinion is a great design element because it makes the scissors not look so harsh. The eye is not drawn to the sharp point, but rather to the handle detail.

I haven't figured out what kind of chain I want it on yet, I'm thinking brass chain with leather, I might hit up my friend Emily Baker to see if she has something that will go with it.

Sorry for the terrible photo, my digital camera was a casualty to a water spill in my purse and no longer works. Mac Photo Booth will do in a pinch, I guess.

Even though it's not finished yet, I still love it!

Inspiration Board: Spring 2010

2009-07-23T00:38:00.001-07:00

Here are some images that I have been inspired by as I've been working on new designs. S/S '10 photo shoot happened yesterday. I'm really pleased with how the collection turned out, and shoot went off without a hitch. I'll post a couple of teasers as soon as I get the photos, and the full collection will debut at the Pool trade show in August.

Bikes - transportation or fashion accessory?

2009-07-22T23:42:00.000-07:00

Urban Outfitters is now selling custom bikes on their website. Does this seem kind of weird to anyone else? It's good that they are promoting biking, although I get the feeling they are just jumping on the "hipster fixed gear" band wagon and selling the bikes as the coolest new accessory.

You can get it custom built for just under $400.

Here's the link, check it out for yourself.

New online store!

2009-07-13T15:21:00.000-07:00

I decided to switch things up and try out a new online storefront, this time with BigCartel.com. The site is designed for clothing designers, bands, or anyone who needs a place to set up shop. I found it really easy to use, and it looks pretty slick, too.

Check it out! Should be linked up to the website soon!

xo,
Lindsey

Item of the Week: Linde Tank Top in Organic Cotton/Soybean jersey

2009-06-26T22:42:00.000-07:00

It's SUMMER! Well, at least its supposed to be, but here in the Pacific Northwest you never can be so sure what season it is, since I saw people walking around yesterday wearing fleece. On June 25th, POLAR FLEECE! Wtf? Anyways, for those of you in other parts of the country blessed with the summertime sunshine, let me tell you about the Linde Tank Top.

This is a really great top. It's comfy, stylish, and great for layering. It's made from organic cotton/soy jersey, which if you haven't ever touched any of that fabric, you really should. It's so soft. Like so soft that you want to have a full body suit made out of it and wear it all the time. It also has nice drape for a jersey, likened by some to silk.

Soy jersey is a really cool fabric and I feel great about using it in my line. Here is some info on the benefits of this fabric, pulled from ecoearthfabrics.com.

Soy bean protein fibre (SPF) is a new textile fibre with unique properties. SPF is the only plant based protein fibre. It contains 16 active amino acids, making it ideal for sensitve skin types. It is soft as silk with very similar properties in terms of drape and warmth. Because it is breathable, dries quickly and is easy to launder, it can also be used in sports, leisure wear, under wear and slings.

SPF is created from the bean dregs leftover from the production of soy oil. In contrast to silk and synthetics it is an easily renewable resource.

Pretty cool, huh?

The straps are repurposed swimsuit binding, purchased from a local supplier. They're stretchy, and wrap around the shoulders into a lovely lattice weave in between the shoulder blades.

Best of all? This tank top is on sale at my etsy shop. It's available in ivory or slate, which is a purplish grey.

You know you'll love it. I wear mine all the time!

xo,

Lindsey

It's time for a Hair Cut!

2009-06-19T19:30:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been obsessed with designing a new collection for Spring '10, however this does not stop me from procrastinating for hours on end on the internet. Today I was doing a google search for hairstyles, since it's definitely time for a haircut. I've been wanting to grow my hair out for a long time, but it's been a struggle because the longer my hair gets the bigger it gets.

I'm torn between whether or not to stick it out and keep growing my hair, or to go for short once again. Here's a short haircut that I think is absolutely stunning. It's short hair's answer to the blunt bangs and pin straight long hair look that us "big haired" ladies will never achieve.

Also, as I was searching, I came across the most incredible images. Japanese art director Nagi Noda, who died last year at the age of 35 (far too young), created these amazing "hair hats" sculpted to look like animals. Maybe when I'm having a bad hair day, I could just put on one of these and no one would notice. Below are a couple of my faves, but you can check out more here.

Button magazine Sale - This weekend!

2009-05-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

Grab some summer threads for ladies and gentlemen this Sunday. Button Magazine is hosting a designer clothing sale, featuring some great Portland designers and boutiques. There will be refreshments and entertainment while you shop. Sweet!

S U M M E R / / / S A L E / / /

2009-05-21T18:08:00.000-07:00

Say hello to summer with an online store-wide sale, from now until May 31st. Enjoy a 15% discount on all spring and summer styles!

Visit the etsy site www.reifhaus.etsy.com to take advantage of these sweet deals.

xo,
Lindsey

Forecast Fashion Show 4/26/09

2009-05-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

Here's a peek at the looks I sent down the runway at the Portland Mercury's annual fashion show. I had less than two weeks notice for the show, and since I could only do two looks, I wanted them to show a bit about what Reif Clothing is all about.

Photos courtesy of the WWeek flickr page:

These are garments that I might not necessarily release in a collection (well, at least not in their current form) but it was definitely fun to make some one of a kind pieces. You may notice the military theme, which some how or another seems to run itself through all of my collections subconciously. I have never been in the military, nor do I aspire to design military uniforms, but I find myself attracted to the functionality and thoughtfulness of the details of military garments. They are often sleek, minimal, and well placed. This is what I'm all about. I hate over done detail just for the sake of adding detail.

Also, is anyone else as obsessed with Jodhpurs as I am? I absolutely LOVE the knickers that Will is wearing, and I am happy with how the jodhpur-inspired mini skirt turned out. More on this latest obsession in another post.

Thanks to my lovely models, Will and Kathleen, for being awesome. You may notice that made a ladies top that not only was a floral print, but also had, gasp, RUFFLES. And you know what? I kinda like it. Actually, I really like it. This may be the start of a whole new era for Reif Clothing.

I'm going to take some detail shots of these garments soon, and you will also be able to purchase them on my etsy shop.

Ta ta, darlings!

Portland Mercury Fashion Show

2009-04-16T01:02:00.000-07:00

I am honored to be one of the participants in the Portland Mercury's 5th annual fashion show! Reif will be showing in the "emerging designer" section. I have to finish two looks by next Sunday. No more internet procrastinating for me (yeah, right)! Here are all the details, I'll post some pics of my progress when I get a moment.

Radish Underground Exclusive....

2009-03-31T09:53:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody,

Every month at Radish Underground (414 SW 10th Ave in Portland) they have a featured designer, usually debuting their collection to the store. March was the featured month for Reif, and the launch of their men's section. Celeste and Gina, the owners, asked me to create an exclusive garment to be featured in the shop for the month.

Here are some photos, I don't have a name for it yet, but I sure do like it. It's made from a super soft cotton broadcloth with sheer details. The dress is inspired by a vintage Chanel dress that was a short, strapless black dress with a sheer layer on top, creating the illusion of a longer dress with cap sleeves. I really loved it, and decided to try to create this same illusion in my dress. If you look at it up close you can see the sheer, but from a distance it looks like you're only wearing a strapless dress with a white choker.

There are only two more of these dresses left at the store, you'd better get them while you can!

Next weekend...

2009-03-28T16:51:00.000-07:00

nature meets technology

2009-03-23T11:38:00.001-07:00

Today in a search for a new flash drive, I came across these beautiful ones, by the Dutch company OOOMS. I'm in love. The design is beautiful, and the natural wood is a welcome contrast to plastic.

These lovely flash drives are available at Dynamism.com

Inspiration #1: Prints

2009-03-19T11:06:00.000-07:00

I'm really particular about fabric patterns. There are just so many bad prints out there - like the aisles of the majority of fabric stores, who occasionally have cool things, but its so overwhelming wading through the latest holiday collection of novelty cottons that I often leave discouraged. I know what I'm looking for in a pattern. The rules are pretty simple - geometric patterns, particularly those with a really optic quality, muted colors, florals are okay, but the flowers must not be too large and not made up entirely of rose buds. I really like florals with black backgrounds too. Okay, so actually the rules are not that simple and I'm kind of picky. I don't think that's a bad thing.

Here is a swatch of the fabric I picked up for my soon-to-be-released fall/winter 09 collection. It's an IKAT print and I absolutely love it. I want to make everything out of this fabric.

Here's an article about IKAT.

I love the natural aspect of IKAT, how the pattern is actually woven into the fabric, not just printed after the fabric has been produced.

Some more patterns I'm obsessed with:

Yes, PENDLETON. Just a 6-ish hour drive from Portland, home to the loveliest of lovely southwestern prints. I especially love the cargo tote bag. Not having the pattern all over the bag makes it more versatile.

I stumbled across this website the other day. Its the work of textile artist Julia Bryant. Julia is a master knitter and crocheter specializing in ethnic patterns. The pieces she makes are meticulously crafted, and while they're not all my taste, here are a few that blew me away.

So. cool.

Lastly, one of my favorite designers, mociun. I absolutely adore the fabrics she uses.

Seeking inspiration....

2009-03-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

Man, I am suffering from a major case of the winter time BLAHS! The first day of spring is oficially on Friday, and here in Oregon that doesn't mean anything unless you live in southern California where the weather is perfect all the time, I still have visions of cute dresses with no tights and being able to wear my favorite jackets without a hoodie underneath. And cute shoes without the fear of them getting wet. Ah....it's so soon.

This winter has been productive, maybe a little too productive because I'm feeling overworked and underwhelmed. I just created a new collection for fall 09, and I'm stoked about the clothes - they look amazing. I just haven't gotten around to marketing the collection yet because, well, I haven't felt inspired. I guess that's a problem that all creative professionals have to deal with, especially at the level that I'm at. Busting my chops to get everything done, designed, sewn, shipped, and I don't have time for myself. I've felt blah, blah, blah because I haven't had a spare moment to step back and see the bigger picture.

I don't like feeling blah, especially knowing that I have a great collection to be stoked on! So I'm on a hunt for inspiration. Or, better put, I'm determined to start documenting the things that inspiring me and letting them soak into my blood, rather than being a cool thought written down in a notebook and tucked away on a book shelf. In order for this to happen, I have to spend some quality time with these inspiring things - sit down, get to know one another, maybe have them over for dinner. Ha!

Or maybe I'll just document the things that I love in this blog, in hopes that other people will find them inspiring too.

While you wait for me to write the first entry, take a moment to enjoy my favorite image that popped up on Google images when I searched for "winter blahs". Its entitled "Dance away the winter blahs". I may not have these ladies' moves, but this image sure does put a smile on my face and forget about my blahs.

In case you didn't make it to the opening last night...

2009-03-06T21:12:00.000-08:00

....my designs will be featured for the entire month at Radish Underground (414 SW 10th ave), including a hot little cocktail dress which being sold exclusively at the shop. Stop by and check out the amazing window display that gina and celeste designed, complete with motorized waves. Thanks to those of you who came down - it was good to see your lovely faces!

xoxo,
Lindsey

March happenings at the Reif Haus

2009-02-28T00:56:00.000-08:00

The past couple of months have been very busy around here, and will continue that way until mid March (and then.....vacation). February saw the first round of spring 09 production, a trunk show at Local35 here in Portland, a fashion show at the Fez Ballroom, and a photo shoot for our upcoming Fall 09 collection. I'm really excited about this collection - it came together in the end, as it usually does. This season I actually came up with a solid inspiration prior to designing the garments, and it was a wonderful contrast to the way I usually design. I feel as though my point of view grows stronger with each collection and that is really exciting. As soon as I get the photos from the shoot, I'll sneak a couple your way before the catalog is released.

What's new for the month ahead? Well, I'm in the process of moving my studio ...upstairs. I've been working out of my house now for a few months, and it's been nice, but I've outgrown my space once again, and so I'm moving to the top floor of my house where I'll have much more room! Not really looking forward to the move, somehow simply moving things upstairs seems to be much more of a chore than moving to an entirely different space. Oh well, I can't wait to show pictures of the new space. Exciting stuff.

March 5th marks the First Thursday opening of my Spring 09 collection at Radish Underground here in Portland. Please join me, Celeste and Gina (Owners of Radish Underground), and artist Brian Horay for refreshments and socializing from 5-9pm. You'll get to see pieces from Reif's most recent collection, as well as a special piece designed exclusively for Radish Underground.

Hope to see you there!

Sweet F.A. Fashion Show this weekend

2009-02-18T09:44:00.000-08:00

Come to the Fez Ballroom this Saturday for a glimpse at my brand new collection for Fall 09. There will be lots of designers, music, and good times. Doors open at 8pm and show starts at 10pm.

xo,
Lindsey

What's new in '09!

2009-01-07T17:03:00.000-08:00

We've been BUSY the past few weeks at the Reif Haus.

Currently we're working on samples for our upcoming Fall/Winter 09 collection, which is scheduled to be ready in early February. This season will be featuring drape-y sleeves and details inspired by the art deco movement. Fall 09 will debut at the Sweet F.A. Fashion Show in Portland on February 22nd.

Spring 09 garments will be ready in about a month, so you can look forward to some new threads, and we have some new stores as well. For those on the east coast, check out our Spring collection at Vagabond in Philadelphia, and here in Portland at Radish Underground.

Reif has two amazing interns working with us for the next couple of months - Mischelle and Ariel! They have already been an immense help around the studio.

I just dropped of some dandy tuxedo dresses at Sword+Fern in Portland, or they are available on my etsy site as well. Also, Sword+Fern has some handpicked vintage pieces for sale from my personal collection. If you haven't already been to Sword+Fern, go check out the beautiful collections of jewelry, pottery, clothing, and knick knacks that owner Emily Baker has in her shop.

fall/winter styles on sale!

2008-12-15T17:16:00.000-08:00

i've reduced the prices of my fall/winter 08 styles just in time for the holidays. please visit my online stores to enjoy discounts over %50 off the retail price:

reif on etsy
reif on smashing darling

happy holidays!
lindsey

Great press!

2008-10-31T19:51:00.001-07:00

Thanks, Urban Socialite, for the kind mention!

urbansocialite.com

Runaway photos

2008-10-31T19:39:00.001-07:00

REIF's runway debut was on October 10th, and it was a blast! Thanks to Gretchen Jones of Mothlove for organizing the show, and to all of the backstage people and the other designers for making the show a success. In case you missed it, here are some photos, courtesy of Minh Tran (www.minhternet.com).

Also, check out the Ultra PDX and the Portland Mercury's write ups of the show!

ultra.
portland mercury

xoxo,
lindsey

Our ongoing commitment to sustainable business practices...

2008-10-31T19:27:00.001-07:00

One thing I've realized about being a designer is that no matter how cautious a person is when cutting, sewing, designing, there is bound to be a staggering amount of waste fabric. Being the pack rat that I am, I have saved nearly all of my scraps over the past year, and this week I realized that I had 7 (!!) trash bags of fabric in my basement that I really needed to do something with. I decided to post an ad on craigslist to find a home for the fabric. I received 38 emails in less than 12 hours, so I had to come up with some criteria for the lucky recipient. I decided that they had to be using the fabric for a good cause, and they could not be making money from the scraps.

Most of what I had leftover was fleece, and I found the perfect match! Kathy Sayles, a volunteer for the Cat Adoption Team Shelter in Sherwood, OR ( about 20 minutes outside of Portland) contacted me about a possible donation. She makes beds for the kitties at the shelter, and is always in search of scrap fabric, especially fleece, to make the kitties feel comfortable. Kathy was very grateful for the donation, and it made me feel great as well! It's nice to know that I have a home for future leftover fabric!

Here is a photo of one of the beds Kathy made...

fashion show poster

2008-10-04T14:07:00.001-07:00

probably the coolest fashion show poster ever? i think so!!

go get 'em, tiger!

2008-09-19T11:18:00.001-07:00

Remember me?

Just dropped off orders for fall 08 at Olio United and Foundation Garments. Get 'em while the gettin's good.

Our first fashion show!

2008-09-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that we will participating in our first fashion show here in Portland. It will be happening October 10th at Someday Lounge. The line up is Reif, Emily Katz, Moth Love, and Dust by Julia Blackburn. Jewelry will be provided by Emily Baker of sword+fern, and Paige of paradox jewelry. We'll be showcasing our Spring 09 collection.

There will be live bands, DJs and a videographer. Sounds like a good time, huh?

Doors open at 9pm, show begins at 10.

See you there!

Ultra PDX's write up of the show

Takin' a dip in the POOL

2008-09-04T14:52:00.000-07:00

me and chelsea erhart workin' it at the POOL trade show in Vegas!

Exciting new stockists!

2008-08-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

fraulein dress - spring 09 collection
Greetings!

Reif is back from Vegas and we are pleased to announce two fabulous new stockists.

Here in Portland, our garments will be available at sword+fern. Sword+fern is a super cute new shop owned by Emily Baker of Clever Castle. It is located at 811 E. Burnside. I'm really stoked!

Reif has finally made it to the East Coast! We'll be available at Vagabond.

They will be carrying our Spring 09 collection, so look for us in stores in February

we've been BUSY!

2008-08-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

Oh, man. So much to say!

Just added my fall/winter 08 collection to my smashingdarling online store!
Check it out.

11 days to go until I leave for Vegas! Reif will be debuting Spring 09 at the POOL tradeshow, August 25-27th. We'll be in space 1106. Make an appointment to see the collection. Here's a sneak preview.....

xo,

Lindsey

Fashion Fight Club Trunk Show this Sunday!

2008-06-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

Reif will be representing at the Fashion Fight Club trunk show this Sunday at Olio United. For those of you who aren't familiar with the FFC, you will be very soon! We are a Portland based designer collective who share resources and promote each other while at the same time promoting independent fashion as a whole.

We will be having a trunk show in celebration of the formation of this group, with DJs Beyonda and Equestrian providing their musical stylings. There will be lots of overstock from all of the designers, and one of a kind pieces. Reif will be bringing a preview of their Spring/Summer '09 line which we'll be presenting at the Pool tradeshow in Las Vegas.

Here are the important details:

Olio United

1028 SE Water Ave. (across from clarklewis, next to Lippman party supply)

noon to five

bring cash, and all your friends!

http://www.wweek.com/wwire/?p=12200 --->WWeek article on the Trunk Show

photos!

2008-06-12T21:05:00.001-07:00

Here are some shots from the photo shoot for my fall/winter collection.

I would like to thank my photographer, Angela Cash for being so awesome. Also, my models, Kim and Will, for being very patient and all around swell people. Jayme Hansen provided her styling expertise.

mayfair trench and carnaby fleece jumper

carnaby fleece jumper and abbey turtleneck

camden tee and bromley pant

kim: abbey turtleneck will: savile bomber jacket bromley pants

First Photoshoot

2008-05-23T23:46:00.000-07:00

Yes! I have finally completed my fall/winter collection and the photoshoot is complete. It was such a motivating experience. I feel like I've been working for so long to get this line launched, and once I saw the clothes on the models I felt like my hard work payed off.

Here are some lessons that I've learned in the past month, as crunch time for getting my collection finished drew near....

1) Trying to dye things by hand is hard work. The one drawback to using sustainable fabrics is that they generally only come in one color - natural. This means that you have to have the garments dyed professionally or try to do it yourself. I did a couple of test batches in my washing machine, which seems to produce the most even results, but I just couldn't get the colors that I wanted. Then, on the brink of achieving near color perfection, my washing machine broke! I looked down at my feet to see a puddle of blue water inching toward my sewing room. It seems the washing machine was leaking from the bottom. With the photoshoot only a day away, I made an emergency trip to the fabric store. So much for that idea!

2) Finishing samples for the photoshoot at 7:15pm when you need to be on location at 8:00pm is such a great idea. If I can procrastinate, I will, especially when it comes to deadlines. I got all 6 styles finished, although not perfect, and they looked great on the models, but the amount of stress that I experienced trying to get everything done took a toll on me. I won't procrastinate like that again, that's for sure!

Tomorrow I'll be going through the photos with my photographer and hopefully I'll have some to post. Move over, Prada!

w-w-website!

2008-03-26T17:19:00.000-07:00

Although the content is sparse, my website is up nonetheless. Now all I need to do is make some clothes....

The Reif Haus

xo,

Lindsey

Let Me Introduce Myself...

2008-03-26T15:33:00.000-07:00

My name is Lindsey, and I like to sew. Also, I am probably the biggest clothes horse I know. That being said, I'd like to tell you a little bit about what I do and how I've come to where I am.

I moved to Portland, Oregon in 2002, shortly after graduating from high school. Fresh out of the midwest (South Dakota, to be exact), I was faced with an unfamiliar city and a thirst to find the one thing in life that I was truly passionate about. Juggling college classes, a full-time job, and getting to know a new part of the country, I still managed to make time to create.

Making things has always been a huge part of my life. I was a girl scout for years and years and years (My mom was the troop leader, so I didn't have much of a choice), and despite despising going door to door toting overpriced cookies, I loved the arts and crafts. We made so many things during our troop meetings, from refrigerator pickles to dehydrated apples carved and decorated to look like old women's faces. It seemed silly to me at the time, but now I am grateful for that experience.

When I moved out west, I decided I would take up sewing. I bought a sewing machine, some basic patterns, fabric, and set out to learn how to sew. The gratification I received from completing a garment was addicting, and sewing soon became my new favorite hobby. I started using found fabrics like sheets, curtains, and other clothing because the prints were unlike anything I could find in a fabric store. Plus, they were cheaper.

My friends told me that I should try to sell my stuff at stores around town. The thought had never even crossed my mind. Even though my sewing skills were still lacking, I decided to take the plunge and take some of my pieces to boutiques. Much to my surprise, they were receptive, and I began to create one of a kind pieces under the name Lucy in the Sky Designs. When I look back at the first pieces I made, they were ill-fitting, and not put together well, but it was a start.

As my skills improved, so did my aesthetics. I was still using mostly found and vintage materials, but I was using more wearable fabrics, such as jersey. Most of the great vintage prints I had were on stiff cotton or unbreathable polyester, which didn't allow me the versatility I was looking for. With my changing tastes, I decided to also change the name of my clothing line. I called it 'love, ginger'. It's kind of a shortened version of saying 'this garment was made for you. love, ginger'.

Here are some photos of those earlier pieces:

These pieces were all one of a kind, and made from recycled materials. Once again, it was a good start.

I decided to take a break from apparel for a little while and test the waters with some accessories. A friend who was about to move out of the country gave me her collection of vintage church lady hats, and I became obsessed. Their delicate construction and attention to detail gave me a new goal to work towards with my own projects. I've always appreciated a well-constructed piece of vintage clothing. In this age of mass-produced clothing, it's a lot harder to find properly finished seams or little details that make a garment stand out.

Glue gun in hand, I set out to create vintage inspired hats of my own. It wasn't easy to find the chenille-coated wire, so I made my own using pipe cleaners and heavy-duty wire. I also sewed strips of wire in between two pieces of felt to make the hats more sculptural. Here are some photos of the results. These hats are currently available for sale:

This year I decided to change focus once again. I wanted to move away from one of a kind pieces and start doing size runs of specific styles each season. Simple color schemes and thoughtfully placed details will be the foundation. The name has changed to Reif (this is the last time, I promise) and I'm planning on releasing my first collection in early July '08.

Thanks for sticking with this rather long first blog entry. I'll be posting photos and other info regarding my progress every few days. Feel free to drop me a line or pass on any advice or resources you would like to share.