Liffner

Since its inception, Liffner has quietly challenged the noise of the luxury industry, offering instead a collection defined by restraint, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the hands that craft it.

From a family-owned workshop in Florence to artisan networks in Kenya, every stitch tells a story of transparency and enduring quality. Paulina Liffner von Sydow opens up about the Scandinavian roots that ground her, the personal catalysts that propelled her into entrepreneurship, and her vision for a new kind of luxury; one where ethics and aesthetics are not competing interests, but inseparable companions.


Interview NICOLE GAVRILLES
Images courtesy of LIFFNER

Your background is deeply rooted in Scandinavia, a region known for its distinct approach to design and living. How did your upbringing in that environment shape the quiet confidence and intentional restraint that defines Liffner today?

Scandinavian design has always been about distilling things down to one strong idea. That “less but better” mindset is deeply ingrained in me. Whether I’m designing a bag, building a business, or simply navigating everyday life, my instinct is always to ask: how can this be made simpler?

I value straightforwardness and clarity, and those principles are very much at the core of Liffner. The idea of quiet confidence also resonates with me. My mom embodies that quality. Looking back, I realize that approach shaped not only my personal style but also the brand’s aesthetic. It’s less about being able to buy whatever you want, and more about being creative and making considered choices. It goes for both my personal style and my design work.

Before launching your own label, you navigated the fashion industry in various capacities. Was there a specific moment of clarity when you knew it was time to step out on your own and build something entirely yours?

I always had a vision of doing my own thing. I grew up in an entrepreneurial family, so there was encouragement and support.

My mom suddenly got ill, I got engaged, married, started my business all within the same year. In hindsight, those events were obviously connected. It was a reminder that life moves quickly and there is never a perfect moment to take a leap.

That said, entrepreneurship didn’t come effortlessly to me. I’m naturally hardworking, risk-conscious and, like many “good girls,” I appreciated external validation. Starting Liffner required me to push beyond that mindset. There were certainly a few self-help books and motivational clichés involved. But ultimately, it came down to…

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