Made in Germany
The Originals
Made in Germany
THE ORIGINALS line is crafted in Germany—the heart of Merz b. Schwanen, where time-honoured techniques meet exceptional fabric.
What is a loopwheeler?
Our original loopwheelers are rare circular knitting machines, some over 100 years old. There are only a few left in the world, and most of them live in our German production site.
These circular machines, fitted with over a thousand handmade needles, slowly knit jersey fabric row by row, setting the tone and pace of our purposeful, original and consciously made clothing.
The machines’ quiet rhythm and mechanical beauty will always inspire how we work—steadily, simply and with care.
Why do we still use a loopwheeler?
Fabrics made on loopwheelers look and feel distinct. Slight irregularities add character and authenticity—a hallmark of garments crafted in the traditional way.
Real ‘slow’ fashion.
Loopwheelers operate nearly 20 times slower than modern machines. Every adjustment is made by hand, requiring time, skill, patience and human touch — a rarity in today’s fashion world.
Made with good materials
All fabrics are made from the best natural materials, such as certified Greek organic cotton, superfine merino wool, and natural viscose.
Pure Textiles
Each piece is crafted without chemical additives or pre-washing, resulting in pure, low-tension fabric with a vintage look and exceptional comfort.
No side seams
Knitting circularly, loop wheelers create garments without side seams. No twisting, just perfect comfort and fit.
A note on product sizing*
Be sure to carefully check the measurement sin the table before purchasing THE ORIGINALS. Since the garments produced on these machines are circularly warped, and thus the sizes depend on the diameter of the machine, the size may be different than what you are used to with other modern textiles.
We recommend sizing up.
Maintaining the tradition
THE ORIGINALS range uses only fabrics made in the Swabian Alb region of Germany, where Merz b. Schwanen continues to uphold century-old production techniques on original loopwheelers.
Manufactured in Germany
Renowned for its long-lasting tradition in the textile industry, the Swabian Alb was always classified as the stronghold when it came to crafting garments.
Sadly, the region was eventually tainted by cheap mass production, which forced many manufacturers to close their businesses.
Some recovered, some didn't: Merz b. Schwanen adheres to the region and still produces all the GOOD ORIGINALS line fabrics in the Swabian Alb, Germany, using original production methods on original loopwheelers.
A second chance
The machines live on a 130-square-metre floor, softly humming their mechanical song. Wooden pulleys spin. Leather belts drive a single transmission engine. The newest machine was built in the 1960s, the oldest in 1889.
In 2011, our founders took an entire year to restore the machines to life, to their state of quiet, unhurried and purposeful revolutions. THE ORIGINALS followed soon after, and the rest is still-unfolding history.
Authentic packaging
When it comes to protecting and packing our garments of THE ORIGINALS line, we think outside of the box. Unique textiles deserve special packaging.
This is made by a family business following the original design.
Made by one of the last producers of lateral clips in Germany, the boxes carry some history themselves. Of course, you can store whatever you like inside the useful boxes, but your Merz b. Schwanen garments might fit best.
Inspired by the classics
From the 1920s to the 1980s, our vintage-inspired cuts reflect decades of timeless design. Every piece honors traditional craftsmanship, original and ethical design, and enduring style.
Our picks
Discover our picks from our uniquely crafted THE ORIGINALS line, all made in Germany.
