By Chris Mossman-Larson
In a world where style speaks louder than words, one rising designer is transforming her artistic vision into wearable art.
With knowledge gained from art classes and borrowed sewing machines, Mariah Geis has begun an exciting journey to turn her creative dreams into reality. Though just starting out, her designs already hint at a unique perspective, blending modern trends with her own personal style. With dreams of making it to the runway, Riah! is ready to sew together talent, ambition, and hard work, one stitch at a time.
Mariah Geis, a double art major, was inspired to start her designing journey through her printmaking class at Casper College. She was given complete creative control over an assignment involving linocuts, which is the carving of linoleum blocks to create designs via stamping. Students were told they could use their linocuts on whatever they wanted.
“Why not clothes?” Geis said. “So I decided on these Martini T’s.”
People loved Mariah’s T-shirts so much that they wanted to purchase them. She figured that if people were interested in buying her shirts, she should start sewing tags into them. This is how the brand Riah! was born. But why stop at T-shirts? Using a borrowed sewing machine, Geis decided to teach herself how to sew other items, such as shorts and pants.
Through Instagram Stories, Geis began to gain a bit of traction. She was invited to Denver Fashion Week to assist a fellow designer on the runway. She described DFW as one of the best days of her life. Not only was she there to support her friend, but she also had the chance to envision what her own life could look like if she continued down the design path.
“Denver Fashion Week was one word,” Geis beamed. “Surreal.”
DFW was also the moment Mariah decided to take her brand to the next level. She created an official Instagram account (@riahreworks) and started releasing clothing drops. One of her drops, “Cowboys Love Fashion,” was Riah!’s spin on western clothing culture. This line included a mix of leather, denim, lace, and gingham pieces, all modeled by Mariah’s friends.
“It was so refreshing seeing western wear in a different light,” Geis expressed. “It was fun playing around with traditional, very manly western wear, and then turning around and making my male models wear makeup.”
She continued by explaining how she has always loved the gender-bending aspect of fashion. It’s Mariah’s prerogative that no matter what the clothing looks like, it belongs to anybody who wants to wear it. Even Geis’s teachers appreciate her ability to be inclusive with her clothing. One stated that the way she refuses to let traditional gender roles define her designs is truly exciting.
Geis’s passion for inclusivity in her line is an admirable trait for an aspiring fashion designer.
Another aspect that motivates Geis’s work is sustainability. With fast fashion on the rise, Riah! strives to do something more eco-friendly.
“In a world where everything moves so quickly, things no longer carry the same depth or meaning,” she noted.
For Mariah, thrifting fuels her creativity in two ways. Sometimes, she lets inspiration strike as she discovers unique pieces. Other times, she approaches thrift shops with a specific design already envisioned. It’s important for Mariah to take something trendy and hand-make it using repurposed materials.
Mariah Geis’s journey is a testament to the power of creativity, ambition, and staying true to one’s values. Through her brand, Riah!, she is redefining fashion by blending sustainability, inclusivity, and bold self-expression. Whether it’s her reimagined secondhand pieces or her gender-defying designs, Mariah’s work inspires others to see fashion as a tool for individuality and empowerment. As she continues to grow her brand and refine her craft, there’s no doubt Mariah is stitching her way toward a future where her vision will shine as brightly as her passion.