Reinhardt
The success of our Berlin label rests on the shoulders of two people: Anette and Reinhard. The two are not only family "partners in crime" and have three wonderful children brought about, but also brought the idea for our urban hybrid models into the world.
Their vision and values have made Spleen Berlin a well-known brand for urban bicycle bag backpack solutions. Our three most salient features here: the modern, timelessly clean style of the Spleen Berlin backpacks, the conscious rejection of Mass production and of course the great awareness of resource-saving and environmentally conscious production. Reinhard - grew up in the deepest heart of the Ruhrpotts - took his time today and tells a little about his time before living in the capital and about the factories where our special bike backpacks are made to be produced.
- How did you end up in Berlin?
That was the great desire for something different and simple curiosity. I came to Berlin for the first time in 1985 and stayed until '89 - then still West Berlin. My home at the time were discos and clubs like Tresor, Jungle and E-Werk. 😅
And by the way, I somehow did an apprenticeship as a stonemason and stone sculptor . Later I was drawn back to Berlin, then with my family.
With whimsy Berlin and our bicycle bags, I'm the COO, so to speak, the "boy" for everything. In doing so, it is important to have the best possible knowledge of internal processes and not only to keep the core business of von Spleen Berlin running, but also to optimize it.
- What shaped you in your life?
I spent my youth in Dortmund and in Reinhardshagen in Hesse, styling mopeds and enjoyed village life. That sounds a bit contradictory at first - but both village and city life had and still have a great influence on my being, what defines me. Both is equally valuable to me.
- What did you do before Spleen Berlin?
I worked for many years in my trade as a stonemason. I have done many things here, from redesigning exclusive luxury bathrooms in full marble splendor to restoring listed buildings and old churches.
- Do you remember how the idea for Spleen (Berlin) came about?
Yes indeed! The idea was born at the dining table in our house in Schweinfurt. Between Virginia creeper in the garden and beautiful wooden shutters - our three daughters lay peacefully dreaming in bed.
We have always been very creative and a bit crazy. So we didn't think twice 🤔 we could only call our label "Spleen".
- What values does Spleen Berlin represent?
There are several levels that come into play. Firstly, we want our hybrid bags to be Bike are simple, practical and functional, but still have a beautiful, timeless design.
My personal motto is more: "Don't try to be fancy... be versatile."
So Versatility that convinces in practice.
At the same time, we pay great attention to low-pollutant and environmentally friendly production to produce in a resource-conscious manner. The latest information always flows into our decisions developments and technologies. Another factor is that we always try the To make our fabrics and bags as local, social and fair as possible. Our approach is to produce as sustainably and simply as possible.
- What do you value when choosing materials?
Here, too, many points come into play in our decisions: Sustainability and the composition of the substances – such as that they are made from recycled raw materials or are recyclable. We have to For example, bag models whose fabrics consist largely of yarn spun from PET bottles. Another of our quick-convertibles Luggage carrier bags are made of sea plastic collected on the beach, from the oceans, re- and upcycled. It is also important to us that our backpacks are made in Europe. Of course they are really tangible things are also important, such as: how does the material feel? How tough or waterproof is it? And finally, of course, too: It looks good out of? 😁
- Are the bags made in big overseas factories?
No. We leave our backpacks in small and medium-sized family businesses, some of which are already in the 2nd and 3rd generation, in Poland (only 135 km from Berlin away) and Portugal handcraft. One of ours Manufacturing companies, for example, are also run purely by women.
- Why the focus on smaller manufacturers?
Anette is in one Family business grown, so we know how It is important to support small businesses. By the way, their effectiveness is not to be underestimated: It is worth its weight in gold to have direct contact persons and to be able to develop new models directly on site with production is an absolute asset. In addition, we know all the seamstresses personally. Any problems that may arise during production can be reported directly be discussed and resolved.
- A takeaway thought?
Always be open to new things. Never stop learning.