On our tour of manufacturers, we had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Andrea and Axel Reiff, a brother-and-sister duo who run Reiff Knitwear, nestled in Reutlingen at the foot of the picturesque Swabian Alps. There’s a special warmth to their story, and it’s not just in the cozy merino wool they use to craft their beautiful clothing. As the third generation of Reiff knitters, Andrea and Axel have continued the legacy started by their grandfather in 1939 and have infused it with sustainable soul.
Reiff Knitwear is a flat knitting company, which means they produce their own fabric from scratch—no shortcuts. From the designs to pattern-making, knitting to finishing, it’s almost all done in-house. This hands-on approach began with their grandfather, Adolf Reiff, who launched the company from the ground floor of his home in Gonningen. It didn’t take long before his business outgrew those cozy beginnings, and soon enough, the company relocated to a dedicated factory on Weiherstraße. Back then, Reiff Knitwear specialized in cotton baby clothes and had just 10 employees.
In 1976, the reins passed to Manfred Reiff, Adolf’s son, who expanded Reiff’s offerings to include women’s and men’s outerwear. Ever ahead of the curve, he also developed washable, eco-friendly wool diaper covers. That innovative spirit marked Reiff’s first step into using organic textiles—well before “eco-friendly” became a household term. Demand for these new products soon outstripped their existing space, so in 1985, the sewing department moved to a larger facility on Hauptstraße. As the product line diversified, so did their commitment to organic materials.
However, as international wholesalers began moving their manufacturing abroad, Reiff faced a tough period. Yet Axel and Andrea weren’t deterred. When they took over in 2002, they reintroduced the business at the International Natural Textile Fair with their own designs. This fresh start ushered in a new era, and since 2003, every Reiff garment has been produced from organic merino wool.
Merino wool is more than just a material for the Reiffs—it’s part of their dedication to sustainability. Their wool comes from free-range, ethically raised sheep in Patagonia, ensuring the sheep are mulesing-free and treated according to organic animal farming standards. Once sheared and washed, the wool is shipped to Germany, where it's spun and dyed following strict Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and IVN guidelines. The Reiffs are proud that each garment is produced within a 50-kilometer radius of their headquarters, minimizing environmental impact and supporting local craftsmanship.
Every detail matters to Andrea and Axel, and that’s clear even in the accessories they choose. Their buttons are crafted from natural materials like mother-of-pearl and nut, while zippers are made from recycled plastic, and sewing threads are thoughtfully chosen to meet the Oeko-Tex 100 standard.
Reiff Knitwear’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and a deep respect for tradition. Andrea and Axel honor their family’s legacy while weaving in threads of sustainability and innovation—producing clothing that not only feels good but also does good. So next time you slip into a cozy piece from Reiff, you’ll feel not only its warmth but also the heartfelt journey of the Reiff family and the Swabian Alps spirit woven into every stitch.