INTERVIEW #115 RIFO

Based in: Prato, Italy

Founded in: July 2018

Founded by: Niccolò Cipriani

Shop at: www.rifo-lab.com

Price range: 50-150€

Hi Niccoló, what is the story behind Rifó, why did you start it?

I started rifò because I saw while working in Vietnam a big issue regarding overproduction. This is why I decided to come back and to take back a tradition from our textile cluster, recycling textile waste into brand new products.

Can you tell us more about the design and the clothes that you're making, for whom are they?

We design clothes made to last made for people who care about the environment and the society. Our clothes are made at 0 Kms with natural fibers. They are recycled and designed to be recycled again.

What are the most popular items?

Our best sellers are our recycled cashmere sweaters like Giulietta and Romeo or our recycled cashmere accessories like Marcello beanie and the scarf Federico.

Where are your customer based?

They are mainly based in Europe, we have many customers from Italy, Germany, Austria and France.

Where and how are your clothes produced, can you tell us more about your sustainability commitments? They are produced not far from our office in Prato by skilled artisans, the yarns we use are made recycling textile waste or old clothes which are selected by color and quality and then shredded.

What do you think are the major problems of the fashion industry?

I think we are used to buy too many clothes and not use them as long as they should be. We need to change our habits, buy less and dress more what we have.

What is the feedback you get from your customers?

Our customers are happy about our values and the quality of the product, they appreciate its design and its softness.

Anything else you want to add?

We have also built a social impact project, we donate every 2€ of our online sales to a vocational training programme we created named Nei Nostri Panni. We teach vulnerable migrants artisanal jobs that are slowly fading away in our district.