1

Can you share a bit about your journey into fashion? What inspired you to start RainSisters?

It wasn't a straight path. I was torn between fashion and architecture when choosing my studies, but went with the latter and spent ten years at architecture studios. As much as I love historic buildings, beautiful interiors and objects, towards the end I was burning myself out, crying in the mornings and stressing about things I didn't really care about.

After months of self-reflection, I woke up one day knowing I should have trusted my gut and pursued fashion. The signs had always been there: as a child I sewed clothes for my dolls, sketched dresses and, of course [laughs], secretly tried on my mum's clothes and shoes. So I quit my job and started designing, first for myself, then for friends and clients.

Eventually my sister Zaiga asked if I could design something from a functional fabric she had discovered. In Latvia rain is almost a constant, and none of us could find a feminine raincoat we actually wanted to wear. So I designed just that, and that coat became the beginning of RainSisters.

2

RainSisters was founded by three sisters who each had started their careers in different fields prior to the brand's creation. How do those different perspectives shape the way the brand is built today?

They shape almost everything. My background taught me to think in proportion and structure, so I approach a garment much like a building: it has to be beautiful, but it also has to work. My sister Zaiga has expertise in textile technology, which means we are very selective with our fabrics and every construction choice is tested properly. And Zane keeps the whole thing grounded as a financially healthy business; she really is the finance sister.

Design, product and business decisions are made together from the start. Okay, maybe we didn't have it all figured out at first, but we've certainly grown into a good team. We challenge each other constantly, but we also understand each other really well, and I think the pieces are better for it.

3

Every RainSisters print is designed in-house. Where do you look for inspiration, and how does a design go from an idea to a finished garment?

Inspiration usually starts close to home: the Baltic coastline, the forest near my home, the shapes and shades of seasonal flowers, the historic architecture in Riga, old textiles. When it comes to a new collection, so much of it is based on feeling and intuition. I simply sense how a design should look, both its structure and its colours, and then I set out to bring it to life.

From there it's a long process of refinement with our amazing Design and Product Development team. We test fabric, scale, colour and placement on the actual garment, because something that works on paper can feel completely different on the body. Quite a few designs never see daylight. Nothing goes into a collection until it feels right to us.

4

You began by sewing garments for yourselves, then presented your first collection at local design fairs in Riga. Today you sell across the world, yet every garment is still sustainably produced in Latvia. How have you protected your standards as the brand has grown?

By refusing to treat growth as a reason to compromise. When demand increases, the industry, and consumers too, push you to think about price a lot, so it's tempting to simplify things. We made a conscious decision not to do that. Keeping production in Latvia, with manufacturers we know personally, lets us stay close to every stage. We can visit the floor, check quality directly and solve problems quickly.

The other lesson was learning to let go. I can't personally review every garment anymore, so building a team that holds the same standards as we do has been one of the most important investments we've made. It's still an ongoing process.

5

What do you think is the role of platforms like Wolf & Badger—and the independent, ethical designers they support—in creating a more sustainable model of consumption and minimising the environmental impact of the fashion industry?

I think it works on both sides. Wolf & Badger was one of the first platforms to support us as an emerging brand. It gave us international visibility and a place alongside designers we admired, at a stage when building that awareness on our own would have taken years.

Platforms like this also help define taste. When they champion thoughtful design and responsible production, people pay attention, and those values start to feel desirable rather than simply worthy. It draws customers away from anonymous, trend-led fashion and towards knowing who designed a piece, where it was made and why. Once you know that, you value a garment differently, and you hold on to it longer. That is where more sustainable consumption begins.

6

What does sustainability mean to you? What role does it play in your work and life?

For me, it's about longevity. The most sustainable garment is the one you wear for ten years instead of replacing every season. That shapes every design decision, from silhouettes that won't date to materials that age well.

In practice, it means producing locally in Latvia with certified manufacturers and OEKO-TEX certified fabric suppliers, and keeping our supply chain short enough to see with our own eyes. We also repurpose fabric leftovers into accessories such as bags and hats, and I love that part.

I try to bring the same philosophy home to my kids: recycling, repurposing, and fixing things instead of throwing them out. We don't claim to be perfect. It's an ongoing responsibility.

7

What's the most common misconception about running a family business, and what's the best part of building a brand with your sisters?

People often ask if doing business with family isn't risky for the relationship. Sure, we talk about work a lot at family gatherings too, and we should probably work on some boundaries there [laughs], but overall it has strengthened our relationship.

We each lead our own area: I lead design and the overall direction, Zaiga oversees materials and manufacturing, and Zane leads finance and operations. That clarity gives us space and respect for each other's judgement.

The best part is sharing the journey with people who know you completely. We've celebrated the first order, the first international stockist and the first time we saw a stranger wearing RainSisters on the street, together. Those moments mean more because they're shared.

8

Your AW26 collection introduces Atelier, your most elevated line yet. What does it represent for RainSisters, and what comes next?

Atelier is where our design language is at its most confident. It brings more sophisticated, refined cuts, premium fabrics and a more tailored silhouette, and we allow ourselves to be more courageous there. These are pieces that sit comfortably in a considered wardrobe, not just in the rain. AW26 also introduces three shell constructions, Lightshell, Softshell and Insulated (for real winters), so each silhouette can be worn across more of the year.

This season we presented the collection in Copenhagen and Paris, and we're growing our presence with independent boutiques across Europe. With Spring/Summer 2027, the RainSisters world will extend into new categories. I can't say more just yet, but it's the most excited I've felt about a collection in a long time.