Tailors, pattern makers, seamstresses - our heroines

Where exactly are our collections processed?

The design of our NINA REIN collection was created by Julia Ickert and is made in Munich. Our garments are manufactured in Lithuania - Made in Europe. Not only do our seamstresses live there, but also 2.8 million Europeans. The country has been part of the EU since 2004. Issues such as occupational safety and environmental protection are regulated by law there just like in other European countries. Lithuania is located 1,314 km east of Germany. The short distance helps us to keep our transport costs and the associated CO2 emissions low. The national language is Lithuanian, but both our seamstresses and pattern maker and Julia speak fluent Russian and can communicate in this way.

We asked two of our seamstresses and our pattern maker about the production and asked them to tell us about themselves. You can get to know these wonderful women here.

Birute is our contact person for all organizational issues. She coordinates the orders for the other girls (that's what she calls her employees 😉). In addition to Lithuanian, she also speaks Russian and English, as she ran a sewing studio in London for 10 years. She learned to love the job of seamstress very early on and has been working in the clothing industry for several designers for 35 years.

Asta is responsible for the planning of the individual items of clothing. As soon as an order for a new model comes in, she checks whether all the pieces fit together and whether a complete piece is created in the end.

Liudvika is our pattern maker. She is She is a trained designer and ran a tailor-made studio until 15 years ago. She is responsible for designing the patterns, reproducing them in different sizes and plotting the patterns for sampling and production.

Now to the questions:...What do you think about sustainability in fashion and what do you think about NINA REIN?

Birute: "I think ecology is very important in fashion, whether in the manufacturing process or in the use of fabric scraps. We have been working for NINA REIN since 2019. I like the models and the fabrics we use. The fabrics are natural and look good. They are comfortable to wear and the great thing is that you can wear them both in everyday life and for special occasions. All NINA REIN pieces are great. I sew with heart and soul! The finished garments are like my children and how can you not love your children?"

Liudvika: "I think natural materials are very important and I love them. However, I would like to point out that the processing is also very important and so are the inserts and the correct use of the fabrics. It also has to be functional. A solid trouser fabric is not a good choice for a top for me, that's my experience when experimenting. I am impressed by the enthusiasm in Julia's eyes, just by the idea behind NINA REIN and I am very excited to see what develops from it. There is so much commitment and dedication in the implementation that I am happy to be able to share in this success. The world needs its niche for everyone and the variety is what makes the whole thing special. I wish her lots of success and growth."

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Birute: "Making clothes is a passion for me. No matter what the process: cutting, sewing and, most importantly, ironing correctly. I enjoy all the manufacturing steps, especially the finished, successful model. The techniques used in sewing are very important for the best result. All fabrics require their own approach and you have to be familiar with both fabrics and the different techniques in order to achieve the best possible result."

Has anything ever gone wrong in production?

Birute: "In 35 years there have been a lot of things that can go wrong. Wrong cuts, faulty deliveries, the portfolio is large and yet there has been a good turn of events. When you send your work out, you feel like a mother sending her child on its way and hoping everything works out. The customer's feedback is always important too, whether they like it or whether there are any problems. When I sew, I always ask myself, would I buy the garment if it had this finish? If so, then I have done my job properly and I stand behind it."

Asta: "I once had a faux pas with a blue fabric, everything seemed fine at first glance. The problem only became apparent after the blazer was cut and sewn. The fabric was not evenly colored, which only became apparent when the individual parts of the blazer were put together, as the colors no longer matched. Mistakes happen, even with big designers, in this case Victoria Beckham, but there is a solution there too. The fabric had to be replaced and the models were sewn later. Not pleasant, but it happens sometimes."

How much do you try to implement sustainability in your everyday life? Do you separate waste in Lithuania?

Birute: "Lithuania has waste containers for waste separation and I think that's great. Leftovers from textile production must be used much more, because beautiful things can also be sewn from leftovers."

Liudvika: "Waste separation is in full swing, even if not everyone has caught on yet. But there are garbage containers for recycling. Younger people are much more active in sustainability. I conclude that it is a matter of habit and education. If you are used to it, you do it automatically. The generational change is imminent and so things are moving in the right and more sustainable direction."

What is a typical, traditional dish from Lithuania?

Asta: "Cepelinai, pronounced Zeppelinäi, and sometimes also called Zeppelinas, are one of the Lithuanians' favorite dishes, a piece of traditional, rural cuisine "like mother's". Home cooking is still popular in Lithuania today, even in a modernized, lighter form, but that does not apply to Cepelinai, which are usually served in a nice, traditional way."

Has Lithuania accepted refugees from Ukraine? What is the situation?

Birute: "The situation is very depressing for one's own life, but you have to get some distance from it. The government supported Ukraine before the war and now by taking in refugees. Many acquaintances take in refugees and offer them work. Donations are collected and people help where they can. I also helped with the distribution and collection of donations in kind. My wish is that we have peace without wars. We should appreciate each other and help each other out. When we meet, there should be lots of laughter without suspicion or ulterior motives. That the sun always shines and that we have peace on our earth."

Liudvika: "Ukraine has registration points to receive people and provide them with food and places to sleep. Many people offer free accommodation and are happy to help out voluntarily, with support and also with donations in kind or money."

Asta: "We are shocked, like the rest of the world, that people from Ukraine have to go through something like this. I personally donated money to organizations that provide Ukraine with food. Refugees have been taken in by people I know. There are many refugees in Lithuania who receive and appreciate the warmth of our Lithuanian people. Every day there are more and more refugees. My wish is that the war ends as soon as possible and that everyone can work and live in peace again, like before. Everyone should be happy and have good clothes."

We hope we were able to give you a little insight into the lives of our seamstresses and our pattern maker. We are grateful to be able to work with such great, strong women. They are a big part of NINA REIN, because without them nothing would be possible here 🖤🖤🖤