Laif.Works: Safety Essentials, Real Life Solutions

Laif.Works is proud to be at the forefront of COVID-19 relief, shipping vital PPE around the world with care and speed while rising to the enormous challenge of the pandemic. During this time, Laif.Works has produced and distributed over 500 million units of PPE across the globe.

Laif.Works has provided critical supplies to a number of high-risk organizations, including governments and health care systems, helping key workers and pandemic heroes stay safe while they continue saving lives. Laif.Works knows that frontline workers deserve the best of the best and our rigorous standards of quality control, testing, and due diligence mean that our equipment, of the highest quality, will be delivered and used.

Laif.Works is detail-oriented and committed to the highest possible standards for our PPE products. Our team ensures that all partner factories are at the top of their game and have a solid track record of success.

The Laif.Works collection of safety products are carefully curated and sourced, focusing on items such as surgical gowns, masks, goggles, and hand sanitisers that are needed most in the fight against COVID-19. At each step of the production process, these products are carefully analyzed and reviewed by manufacturers to guarantee uniformity and consistency as well as to ensure manufacturing practices are being met. Additionally, all products are third-party tested to make sure they are in line with rigorous technical, health and safety standards.

From the meticulous cutting of surgical gowns to the detailed assembly of goggles, our team remains on-site throughout production to guarantee top quality items. To ensure corners aren’t being cut when it comes to PPE, Laif.Works goes above and beyond in making sure all products are exceptional when it comes to safety, quality and comfort.

The Laif.Goggle

Laif.Works Goggles are one of the products that we are most proud of. During the production process, our assemblers oversee the meticulous construction of all goggles from start to finish to ensure the highest quality and standards, creating a product that is truly brilliant. With a sleek design, each Laif.Goggle is equipped with splatter resistant material, providing complete eye protection for high risk, dynamic environments. The design combines access and wearability with a thoughtfully placed adjustable strap for maximum comfort in working conditions, as well as complete visual capability.

To meet the global need for PPE, our manufacturing partners box and load millions of Laif.Works Goggles daily in preparation for international shipments. In fact, Laif.Works speed to market strategy has meant production of an incredible 41 million units in under 3 months, shipping to customers around the world and creating safer working environments.

Style Saves: Fashion Meets Philanthropy

Miansai has focused heavily on integrating philanthropic work into our everyday, with the driving force being Rachael. We’ve been fortunate enough to support a variety of causes through Rachael’s organization that unites fashion with philanthropy.

Style Saves, a non-profit that works with several well-known organizations, retailers and designers to provide underprivileged students with school uniforms, supplies, clothing, accessories and basic necessities for back to school, Halloween, holiday, prom, graduation and disaster relief. Style Saves primary focus is on the well-being of children and students at Miami Dade Public Schools as well as other nationally based public schools, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, MAM’s Girl Power, Honey Shine Mentoring Program, Hope for Miami, Educate Tomorrow, Pridelines Youth Services, Voice For Children and many more.

Style Saves relief efforts take us to various places around the globe annually, most notably Colombia and Haiti. On those trips the focus is on giving back to local orphanages and providing supplies like backpacks and uniforms while spending time with the children there. Finding time to help those less fortunate is important to Miansai and, through these partnerships, we’re able to raise awareness and take our efforts globally.

“Taking the time to help those less fortunate is important to myself and Miansai because through Style Saves, we can make a direct impact with the kids and communities we work with” Michael Saiger

“After meeting Rachael and working with Style Saves, I was immediately drawn to the cause and became more involved with the organization.” Michael Saiger

“Style Saves works with a wide arrangement of partners, to provide students with necessary materials for school. The Mission is to give students the self-confidence and assurance they need to succeed, both academically and personally.” Style Saves

The Growth of Miansai and a Look Inside the Life of an Entrepreneur

Miansai was conceptualized in 2008 while Michael was studying at the University of Miami. Through searching for something unique and finding nothing on the market that caught his eye, Michael started making jewelry himself. Before leaving for summer vacation that year, some of his pieces were placed on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach. When Michael returned from his vacation, the pieces had sold and Miansai had gotten visibility in GQ. At a time when no one was designing cool men’s products at a decent price point, the Miansai line was well received and the demand kept increasing.

From day one, the importance of putting any money that was made right back into the business was clear to him. Thus began the act of purchasing machinery and tools in order to produce creative, consistent and handmade pieces. The first Miansai flagship store was opened in the Soho neighborhood of New York in 2014 and a second one in Abbot Kinney in LA in 2016. The brand has since grown to include nine mobile Piaggio, Lambretta and Volkswagen retail vehicles, a presence in prestigious department and ecommerce retailers, and a successful direct-to-consumer online platform.

Miansai has always kept the focus on an elevated aesthetic and functionality, starting with the iconic bracelets and cuffs that the brand was founded on. The jewelry that has been crafted throughout the years is wearable for anyone. Jewelry that quickly turns heads with sleek, utilitarian, and minimal designs. Miansai invests in pieces that will carry throughout each season, with casual yet refined collections that take you from day to night. The brand has been fortunate enough to work with quality suppliers, taking great pride in long-term partnerships with Asian, Swiss, Japanese, French and Italian manufacturers that are trusted to deliver beautiful materials.

Over the years, and with the heavy investment into machinery, such as a CNC laser engraver, camera equipment and a 3D printer, Miansai is able to prototype and sample rapidly. Offering hardware, nautical and architectural inspired pieces designed entirely in-house, the team of artisans sketch and assemble each concept using the high-tech machinery and tools that have been acquired over the years. Michael is heavily involved in all aspects of the business and on any given day you can find him designing, leading sales meetings, checking production/quality control, or anything else.

Although the company has grown, Miansai is still relatively small in terms of the office. In Michael’s words, “I don’t like the idea of not knowing what’s going on in each department. Paying close attention to our brand image, and being detail-oriented, I prefer everything be portrayed to match the Miansai aesthetic. I’ve always liked the idea of making products for the individual who doesn’t like to wear jewelry and I want my accessories to be the kind of thing you don’t want to take off. They should be easy to wear and become part of our customer’s everyday style.” He goes on to add, “I’m proud of what we’ve created for our clients: everything from steel watches, rings, necklaces, brass cuffs, portfolios and journals.” The success has been rooted in the use of precious metals, silvers and golds, often coupled with beautiful Italian and French leather and custom-made US marine grade rope.

The industry has changed over the last 10 years with more and more brands and products available than when we first started designing. When looking around and seeing what other brands are producing, Miansai is motivated to continue putting time and energy into uniqueness and quality because ultimately, this only benefits our customers and keeps them coming back.

“What I want Miansai to be is a place where any guy or girl can go if they need any kind of accessory. I never want to go into clothing, I want to stay in accessories—things that people can really count on and trust.” Michael Saiger

“Everything I make, I try to make it timeless. If you were to find a piece I made 20 years from now, you’d think it was relevant then. There’s definitely a bit of nautical to it too. It’s industrial, clean, modern.” Michael Saiger

“Founding a business, especially while still being in college, matures you quickly. You suddenly have more responsibilities and things to think about on a daily basis while feeling pressure to grow and learn in order to be the lead in the industry and marketplace.” Michael Saiger

“To be successful, you don’t have to be good at everything. I am fully hands-on with all operations at Miansai but I hire experts in different fields who have a deep understanding of the aesthetic DNA of the company.” Michael Saiger

Rethink Traditional: Miansai Mobile Retail

After successfully launching in over 40 US states and 36 countries worldwide, Miansai has added a fleet of vintage mobile retail cars. The fleet was inspired by the original 1958 Airstream, purchased internationally and shipped to our Miami location where it was rehabbed and placed in Miami Beach. Our remaining mobile collection features nine Piaggio, Lambretta and Volkswagen Bus retail vehicles. These vehicles have graced 15 U.S. cities, most notably Palm Springs, Malibu, the Hamptons, and Newport, RI, while making guest appearances at festivals such as South by Southwest, Coachella, and Jazz Fest. With the expansion of our mobile fleet we have the ability to tap into new markets without the added hassle of sourcing a physical space.

“I avoid a lack of inspiration by always working on new projects. For the past seven years I have been expanding our mobile retail fleet, which includes two Airstreams, two Piaggios, one Fiat and one Lambretta. I personally renovate and customize each vintage vehicle to coincide with the Miansai aesthetic, such as creating walnut wood displays with glass overlay, as well as custom paint and canvases. We stock each one with Miansai products and take the vehicles to destinations such as Coachella, Soho House, Malibu Pier, 1 Hotel and Navy Beach, to name a few.” Michael Saiger
“Our mobile retail expansion is really exciting for us because we are able to test out markets we want to be in, without the investment of a brick and mortar location.” Michael Saiger

Miansai Brick and Mortar

New York:

Located on Crosby Street in SoHo, our New York flagship store features refined aesthetics with copper accents to accompany our scandanavian-inspired black walnut furniture. Explore masculine-feminine aesthetics and the power of elevated retail on display with our selection of signature jewelry and uniquely detailed accessories. Check out our artisanal tea bar with hand selected, high quality cold and hot teas. Favorites like matcha, chamomile and chai line the bar, while on-tap kombucha is available for those in the mood for something more refreshing.

Our in-house penny rolling machine is reminiscent of ones found on piers and amusement parks dating to the early 1900s. Designed by founder Michael Saiger and bringing back the souvenir shop feel of our youth, the penny roller celebrates the launch of our New Nostalgia collection. Echoing the city’s undeniable energy and unparalleled culture, the collection is a shout out to the many walks of life unique to New York.

Create a piece of jewelry unique to you at our custom station or relax in our back courtyard garden, an ideal spot for a quick tea date, meeting, or catch up.

Venice:

With the help of Peter Buley from Brooklyn design studio Analog Modern, our Venice store was created as a space that reflects our minimalist, laid-back and refined aesthetic. Keeping design at the forefront of everything we do, the store features white brick walls, white floors and Italian porcelain tiles, giving it a sense of airiness that is tastefully grounded by the rich walnut wood throughout. Like the Soho store, the Venice location features a unique penny rolling machine, conceptualized by Michael himself to respect the charm of the LA lifestyle.

The Venice store serves a wide array of tea, kombucha and fresh pressed juice. Enjoy those offerings while taking a walk towards the back of our shop where you’ll find our beautiful outdoor space. Complete with a garden in the back, guests can come shop, hang out with a friend, host a meeting, or set up to work for the day.

“Los Angeles is a city I’ve always loved to visit. Being an active person, the healthy LA lifestyle was a natural fit for our second flagship retail location. I love the beach culture and being on the water, so it made sense for us.” Michael Saiger

Interview Article

RNY:

8am or 8pm?

Michael :

8pm.

RNY:

Beer or wine?

MS:

Beer.

RNY:

Whiskey or tequila?

MS:

Tequila.