Building Relano
Hi, I’m Olivia - the founder of Relano.
Relano began in early 2024, during my time working in corporate consulting. Between client offices, commutes, coffee chats and deadline pressure, I started to notice how much confidence came from feeling prepared, polished and put together.
I cared about the way I presented myself at work - the clothes, the accessories, and the small routines that made the day feel more intentional. But the accessories I carried rarely matched that feeling. They were either beautiful but impractical, or functional but missing the refined look I wanted in my everyday work life.
Relano began from that frustration.
What started as an idea built in the hours around work slowly became something worth pursuing. In September 2025, I left my 9–5 to build Relano full time.
The months that followed were spent researching materials, refining product features and speaking with the women Relano was designed for. That process eventually led me to Guangzhou, where I visited factories, met manufacturers in person and found the partner, and now friend, whose technical expertise and care for detail helped bring our first collection to life.
Relano exists for women moving through full, considered and often demanding workdays - with pieces designed to feel refined in appearance, practical in use and considered in every detail.
For questions, feedback or thoughts, you can reach me at info@relano.com.au.
Material Matters: About Ultrafibre
Relano pieces are made with premium Ultrafibre, a microfibre-based material selected for its refined finish, structured feel and everyday practicality.
Ultrafibre is created from ultra-fine fibres that form a dense, durable material base. This gives each piece a smooth, polished surface with enough structure to hold its shape and support the clean, minimal lines of the collection.
Unlike standard PU, which is often used in conventional vegan leather and is typically associated with a shorter lifespan, Ultrafibre is designed as a more long-lasting, resilient, durable material. It offers the composed look and long-lasting durability we wanted, while remaining lower maintenance than traditional animal leather.
More practical around moisture, heat and spills, Ultrafibre is well suited to high friction pieces used frequently.
The result is a material that feels polished without the same susceptibility to mould as animal leather.
Every material decision is made with the same purpose: to create work accessories that feel refined, functional and easy to reach for each morning.
Made with Intention: Our Manufacturing Process
Relano was developed in close partnership with a small, family-run manufacturer in Guangzhou - a team we chose not only for their experience, but for the way they approached our vision.
As a small business ourselves, it mattered to work with people who understood what it means to build something carefully from the beginning. We wanted a manufacturing partner who would take the time to refine details with us, guide material decisions and treat our first collection with the same care we were bringing to it.
After travelling to Guangzhou, meeting manufacturers in person and touring factories, we chose a partner we could work with directly.
Over many cups of gongfu tea, we collaboratively reviewed materials, refined samples and made considered decisions around structure, hardware, compartments, finishes and overall feel.
It has been a collaboration between two growing businesses - one with the vision for Relano, and one with the technical experience to help bring it to life.
Each piece has been developed slowly and intentionally, with the aim of creating work accessories that feel polished, practical and thoughtfully made.