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Hamburg, Germany

Detlef Stiebich & Julia Rieth

Bag maker

Timeless bags born from a shared vision

  • Julia and Detlef create bags that reflect their creative unity
  • The duo tests each prototype through daily use
  • They learned saddlery to be able to handle every step of the process themselves

Julia Rieth and Detlef Stiebich met while working at German fashion houses like Joop, Bogner and Wunderkind, and their strong creative chemistry and shared vision quickly became clear. "After years of designing for others, we felt the urge to shape something truly our own," the duo says. Their studio, Stiebich & Rieth, was born out of this ambition – a bag atelier that values purity, function and traditional craftsmanship. "Early on, we realised that conventional production methods could not bring our ideas to life, so we chose to learn saddlery from the ground up and take the entire process into our own hands," Julia and Detlef say. In their Hamburg workshop, each prototype is developed through exploration and careful refinement. "Together, we craft bags that merge sculptural calmness with enduring strength, in a way that reflects our shared sense for minimalism and function in every detail," the duo explains.


Interview

©Andreas Fromm
©Andreas Fromm
What makes handcrafting essential in your process?
Handcrafting allows us to perfect every detail in the design stage and catch flaws early. Then, during production, it turns into a meticulous, soft craft that guarantees each bag is made with care and precision.
How do prototypes evolve during the making process?
We develop our prototypes through continuous real-world testing. Julia carries them in her everyday life to experience first-hand how the bags wear and function. Her insights guide us in fine tuning design and comfort before finalising the product.
Where do your materials come from?
We use high-quality cowhide for 90% of our products, refined in collaboration with a traditional German tannery known for eco-friendly practices, including in-house energy production and certified tanning. Our brass hardware comes from Italy and is partially handcrafted.
Are fashion events relevant to your work today?
Absolutely. We present our bags as collections, matching fashion’s rhythm and standards. Events connect us with customers, press and stylists. From 2014 to 2022, for example, German Vogue spotlighted us at the Berliner Salon.
Detlef Stiebich & Julia Rieth are expert artisans: they began their career in 2012

Where


Detlef Stiebich & Julia Rieth

Address: Address upon request, Hamburg, Germany
Hours: By appointment only
Phone: +49 402291792
Languages: German, French, English
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