When I first discovered REH Germany via a friend, I was immediately drawn in by the design language and branding. Curious to learn more, I reached out to Eliza Helmerich, the designer behind the label, and our conversations gave me a much deeper sense of what holds this minimalist universe together.

As we talked, it became clear that she’s less interested in building a big brand and more in building good habits: pieces you reach for without thinking, objects that simply do their job well and age with you. She doesn’t lead with a grand personal story, even though she has an impressive background as a designer. Instead, she talks about alpaca fibres, the feel of a handle in the hand, and the long-term relationships with family businesses in Saxony and Arequipa that quietly shape every collection.

Hearing her describe the process, I started to understand her vision. The stoneware, thrown by one of the last family-run workshops in Saxony and fired at 1300°C, isn’t just “nice ceramics” – it’s tableware robust enough for restaurants yet delicate enough for a tiny kitchen shelf. The knitwear, produced in a small Peruvian workshop from 100% alpaca and baby alpaca, is designed to be aired and steamed rather than constantly washed, with each sweater carrying a small contribution to a local children’s charity in Arequipa. Setting up these two production lines took Eliza hears of talking to suppliers until she finally found some that could match here expectations.

What stood out to me most was Eliza’s insistence on staying in the middle ground: no luxury posturing, no race to the bottom. By selling online and through her Berlin atelier, she keeps REH in that rare space where quality, price and transparency actually line up. The goal is simple: a few sweaters, a few cups, a few bowls that earn their place by being used, repaired and kept.

At REH Germany every knit and stoneware piece is an invitation to own less, choose better and live with things that quietly prove their worth over time.