Merz b. Schwanen
Merz b. Schwanen is a German basics brand founded in 1911 by Balthasar Merz in Albstadt. Revived by Gitta and Peter Plotnicki, it makes loopwheeled jersey garments such as henleys, sweatshirts and hoodies.
| Founded | 1911, Albstadt |
|---|---|
| Founder | Balthasar Merz |
| Revived by | Gitta and Peter Plotnicki |
| Production | Germany and Portugal |
| Flagship | Berlin, opened 2022 |
| Website | merzbschwanen.com |
What is Merz b. Schwanen?
Merz b. Schwanen is a German clothing brand known for basics knitted on traditional loopwheel machines. It was founded in 1911 by Balthasar Merz in Albstadt, in the Swabian Alb region of southern Germany.
History
Production was discontinued in 2005 under the founder's descendants. The brand was revived by Gitta and Peter Plotnicki: in April 2010 they found an original Merz b. Schwanen henley shirt at a Berlin flea market, and in July 2010 they discovered a room of unused loopwheelers in the Swabian Alb. In January 2011 they presented the first men's line, THE ORIGINALS, in Berlin.
Products and positioning
The brand began with knitwear such as beanies and scarves and now offers sweatshirts, hoodies, vests, pullovers and other jersey pieces for women, men and genderless customers. Garments are loopwheeled in Germany on restored machines dating from 1889 to the 1960s, with a second production site in Portugal established in 2016.
Distribution
In August 2022 the brand opened its first physical store, a flagship in Berlin.
Why it matters
Merz b. Schwanen shows how a dormant industrial heritage, in this case slow loopwheel knitting, can be repositioned as the core value of a contemporary premium basics brand.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Merz b. Schwanen from?
Merz b. Schwanen was founded in 1911 in Albstadt, Germany, and today has its flagship store in Berlin.
Who revived Merz b. Schwanen?
Gitta and Peter Plotnicki revived the brand, presenting their first collection in Berlin in January 2011.