Kelsey Reifler of Brooklyn on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Kelsey Reifler and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelsey, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
The first step in the process of branding a new client — the strategic work that happens before any design begins — is often misunderstood or overlooked. Many people tend to think branding starts with visuals, but it really starts with positioning and strategy.

Clarifying who a brand is, what they stand for, and how they’re different gives every creative decision meaning. Without that foundation, design can look beautiful but lack purpose. Positioning is what ensures the visual identity feels intentional, culturally relevant, and is truly what turns design decisions into a cohesive, lasting brand story.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Kelsey, a creative director and designer with over 14 years of experience working across branding, advertising, and editorial design.

Over the years, I’ve led campaigns for global brands and built visual identities from the ground up. My work always comes back to finding that balance between strategy and creativity—making things look beautiful, but also mean something.

I started Reifler Studio to bring a more personal, collaborative approach to the work I love. The studio focuses on brand identity, campaign creative, and versatile design solutions for clients in fashion, beauty, food, and lifestyle. With a background that spans over 50 global brands, I bring the structure and insight of big-agency experience—just with a lot more 1×1 communication and flexibility.

I have been lucky to collaborate on projects that blend art direction with storytelling in a way that feels intentional and human. I care just as much about the big picture as I do the details—that’s where the magic happens.

Outside the studio, I love hosting friends and finding ways to bring people together. It’s the same energy I bring into my projects—connection, collaboration, and creativity. One day, I’d love to channel that into designing a boutique hotel with my husband, Staten, and our French bulldog, Bogey

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I’d say the part of me that’s served its purpose is being too humble about my work. I used to feel uncomfortable putting myself out there, but running my own studio has taught me that you have to—otherwise, no one will know what you’re capable of. It’s less about bragging and more about giving your work the visibility it deserves.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me resilience. As someone who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for 30 years, I have had to constantly navigate something that never truly pauses. It’s a constant balancing act—there are no days off—and that’s forced me to build discipline, patience, and adaptability. It has taught me how to keep showing up, even when things feel unpredictable. And it has also deepened my empathy for others, because you never truly know what someone else might be navigating beneath the surface.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One truth that’s foundational for me, but that I rarely articulate, is that being ready is a mindset. There’s never a perfect moment or a feeling of total certainty, you just have to start. I’ve learned that confidence comes from doing, not waiting.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Honestly, nothing. Life is unpredictable—you never really know what’s ahead—so I’d want to keep showing up fully for all of it. The work, the people I love, the everyday moments. I wouldn’t change much, maybe I’d just try to savor it more.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
David Burlacu (headshot image)

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