A century later, a 90-year-old Henley was unearthed by Gitta and Peter Plotnicki at a Berlin flea market. An echo of Balthasar Merz’s bygone brand—and its meticulous manufacturing techniques—the rare Henley piqued the pair’s curiosity, leading them to the Swabian Alps and a long-retired factory floor of century-old loopwheelers. The idea to revive both the machines and the brand was born.

Merz b. Schwanen’s THE ORIGINALS collection followed soon after, celebrating authentic workers’ clothing from the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s, refined for modern times.

In 2016, Merz b. Schwanen formed a trusted partnership with a family-run manufacturer in Portugal. Holding fast to the standards and values of THE ORIGINALS, the Portuguese-made range flexes the brand’s creativity in new directions—inviting modern colors, new organic and recycled materials, and contemporary styles.

In 2022, Merz b. Schwanen opened its flagship store in Berlin’s Mitte. A warm, calming space, it invites customers to explore the range, wander among timeless furniture sourced from 1920s German manufacturing sites, connect with our team, and absorb the fine-grain details that define Merz b. Schwanen.

Opened in 2024, our Canal Street store is a quiet refuge in the bustling Big Apple, and a decades-old dream realised by founders Peter and Gitta. Thoughtfully curated in collaboration with Berlin-based Danish Apriori, our Canal Street retreat is all about good design, good times, good neighbors, and slower moments.

Quality isn’t just about how material feels against your skin. It’s about the process that each piece undergoes to arrive in your hands. It’s about fair and uplifting conditions for every worker in our orbit. It’s about practices that minimize environmental impact at every opportunity. It’s about sourcing ethical materials and supporting farmers and manufacturers who align with Merz b. Schwanen’s values. Underpinning everything we do is a heartfelt commitment to good, original design, sustainability, and ethical production, which results in reliable, everyday pieces.

Merz b. Schwanen’s hope is simple but heartfelt and effort-filled. We strive to leave an indelible positive impact on our industry by increasing appreciation for textiles and driving positive change through human-focused, environmentally conscious actions.