Fashion Made in Germany

Ever checked the label inside your favourite shirt and wondered where it was actually made? If you’re shopping in Germany, the answer is almost certainly: not here. But that’s slowly, stubbornly, and with a lot of heart starting to change.

Germany was once one of Europe’s textile powerhouses. Today, only a handful of independent labels still cut, sew, and finish their garments within German borders. At COSH!, we went looking for them, and what we found is a story of resilience, craft, and a very different idea of what fashion can be.

A textile giant that quietly disappeared

It’s hard to imagine now, but Germany’s textile and clothing industry was booming well into the 1960s. Cities like Krefeld, Augsburg, Chemnitz, and Bielefeld were synonymous with weaving, dyeing, and garment production. The Ruhr area and Saxony had mills running at full capacity. According to Cambridge University Press research, domestic production and employment peaked in the late 1950s before a long and dramatic decline set in. (Source: Cambridge University Press – Business History Review, 2019)

So what happened? The short answer: globalisation hit hard. From the 1970s onward, German manufacturers began outsourcing production to lower-wage countries: first to Southern and Eastern Europe, then increasingly to Asia. The Multi-Fibre Agreement, which had regulated global textile trade for decades, ended in 2005. After that, imports of textiles and clothing from China surged by over 126% between 2005 and 2011, according to textile industry analysis published by textile​-network​.com. (Source: textile​-network​.com – Textile and Clothing in Germany)

The numbers tell a sobering story. According to the Fashion Council Germany’s 2021 ​‘Status of German Fashion’ study, the manufacturing output of clothing and footwear in Germany declined by 91% between 1980 and 2020 (adjusted for inflation). By 2019, German consumers were spending 76 billion euros on clothing and footwear, but only around 5% of that was produced domestically. (Source: FashionUnited – Global Fashion Industry Statistics: Germany)

Why so few brands are left

The reasons go deeper than cheap labour abroad. Germany’s strength shifted toward technical textiles, think materials for cars, medical equipment, and industrial applications. That sector now represents roughly 13 billion euros in annual turnover. Fashion production, by contrast, became increasingly difficult to sustain. Rising energy costs, a shortage of skilled seamstresses and tailors, and the sheer price pressure from fast fashion made it almost impossible for small fashion producers to compete.

In 2023, the Première Vision industry report counted just 490 fashion companies and 910 textile companies in Germany, most of them small or medium-sized, with fewer than 20 employees. More than 90 German textile and fashion companies declared insolvency that same year, including well-known names like Gerry Weber, Hallhuber, and parts of the Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof group. (Source: Première Vision – Special Report Germany)

The result? A landscape where most of the clothing sold in Germany is designed here, but stitched together thousands of kilometres away. The knowledge of how to actually make clothes, the cutting, the pattern-grading, and the sewing, has been slowly vanishing.

Signs of a quiet revival

Here’s where it gets interesting. While the big picture looks grim, something is stirring at the grassroots level. According to IBISWorld’s 2025 analysis of the German clothing manufacturing industry, some companies have begun relocating parts of their production back to Germany, citing higher product quality and the added value of local manufacturing. (Source: IBISWorld – Clothing Manufacturing in Germany, 2025)

A new generation of designers and makers is choosing to produce locally. Not because it’s easy or cheap, but because it aligns with their values. They work with small ateliers, use deadstock fabrics, produce on demand, and keep their supply chains short and transparent. They’re not trying to compete with fast fashion on price. They’re offering something entirely different: garments with a story, made by people you could actually meet.

EU legislation is also adding momentum. Germany’s Circular Economy Act (KrWG) now requires the separate collection of textile waste from 2025. The EU’s proposed Textile Labelling Regulation and Digital Product Passport requirements are pushing the entire industry toward greater transparency. For small, locally producing brands, this is an advantage. They already know exactly where their materials come from and who made their clothes.

Meet the makers: Eight COSH! members producing in Germany

At COSH!, we’re proud to spotlight brands and stores that are keeping textile craft alive on German soil. Here are eight members who prove that ​“Made in Germany” in fashion is not just a nostalgic label, but a living, breathing movement.

sweersocean – Aachen

Based in Aachen, sweersocean creates circular fashion in small batches, produced at the tailoring atelier Stitch by Stitch in Frankfurt — a social enterprise where craftsmanship and social integration go hand in hand. The founder and designer draws on a background in international sports and fashion design to create versatile pieces that transition from city life to outdoor escapes. The brand works with deadstock fabrics from Italy and France, natural fibres, and innovative blends. A pre-loved shop and return-and-repair service keep garments in circulation longer, while orders ship plastic-free in grass fibre boxes.

bellaLEYK – Baden-Württemberg

Since 2003, designer Bärbel Leyk has been creating poetic garments inspired by literature and philosophy. Her POEM collections feature embroidered quotes and subtle literary details, like the ​“Ringelnatz” series. bellaLEYK uses GOTS-certified organic cotton and produces exclusively on demand, working with a local seamstress and a small workshop in Baden-Württemberg. No seasonal collections here, just thoughtful drops and single pieces, with custom lengths and embroidery colours available on request. Repair services and plastic-free packaging round out the offer.

Pieke & Fein – Bad Honnef (near Bonn)

Part shop, part atelier, part cultural venue, Pieke & Fein is a creative space run by founder Christina, who brings her experience in stage and costume design to the world of upcycling. The store carries colourful bags from the in-house label Siebenberge Manufaktur (made from old advertising banners), alongside brands working with repurposed sails, zero-waste knitwear, and locally made blankets. Twice a month, Christina hosts workshops on textile upcycling and art, as well as readings and concerts. Shopping here supports local makers who give materials a second life.

Jede Studio – Hamburg

In the Karolinenviertel district of Hamburg, founder Bettina Schmutz runs Jede Studio, a size-inclusive brand that makes custom-fit clothing from GOTS, IVN Best, and Fair-for-Life certified fabrics. Every piece is produced right in the atelier, with a focus on transparency across the entire supply chain. Fabric remnants are transformed into scrunchies, cushion covers, and handwoven shopping bags, minimising waste. A repair service helps extend the life of every garment. Jede Studio is proof that fashion can embrace every body shape without compromising on its values.

KAYA – Berlin

In her Berlin-Moabit atelier, self-taught artist and photographer Ashley Jones has been creating KAYA since 2016. With her label, she celebrates fashion beyond gender. The collection includes casual, unisex, one-size pieces like reversible jackets, oversized trousers, and patchwork tops, all handmade by Ashley from deadstock cotton, linen, and wool, as well as innovative fabrics sourced in Germany. Every piece is made to order, making each garment a small work of art. Fabric scraps become unique patchwork creations, and old cardboard boxes serve as shipping material. Repairs are offered too, so your favourite KAYA piece stays with you for as long as possible.

ALEXANDRA SVENDSEN – Frankfurt

Frankfurt-based ALEXANDRA SVENDSEN crafts colourful leather bags and accessories entirely in Germany, with 95% of materials sourced domestically. The organic-certified cowhide leather comes from the Allgäu region and is sourced from surplus meat in the meat production process, meaning no animals are raised specifically for leather. With a zero-waste approach and interchangeable straps for versatile styling, the brand combines minimalist design with artisanal craftsmanship. Each leather piece has a unique appearance, reflecting its natural origins. Founded by Alexandra Svendsen, whose Danish roots inspire the clean, Scandinavian aesthetic.

PURSIK.boxers – Düsseldorf

Fun, colourful, and anything but ordinary: PURSIK.boxers makes gender- and size-neutral boxer shorts and trousers from high-quality surplus shirting fabrics, including rolls from Italian weaving mills. Production takes place in a small, female-led tailoring workshop in Wassenberg, near the Lower Rhine. Every pair is made from natural materials like cotton or linen, pre-washed and ready to wear. Because PURSIK uses deadstock fabrics, each design is often a true one-off. A playful take on underwear and loungewear that saves perfectly good fabric from going to waste.

Studio Orf – Düsseldorf

What started as a childhood hobby has become a heartfelt small business: Studio Orf. Since 2015, founder Nicola has been crocheting bags, baskets, scrunchies, and lifestyle accessories from secondhand yarn, sourced at flea markets, social department stores, and from private donations. Unworn clothing gets transformed into stylish crocheted pieces, too. Nicola is a regular at local markets and events in Düsseldorf, and she offers crochet workshops for beginners and advanced crafters alike, keeping the craft alive. Every Studio Orf piece gives pre-loved materials a colourful new chapter.

Why ​“Made in Germany” matters more than you think

Let’s be clear: buying locally produced fashion doesn’t automatically make a garment ​“better” or ​“more sustainable”. That depends on the specific materials, processes, and working conditions involved. But choosing brands that produce in Germany does offer some concrete advantages worth considering.

Short supply chains mean fewer transport emissions and more oversight over working conditions. Germany’s strict labour laws, including minimum wage, workplace safety standards, and social security protections, apply to all ateliers and workshops mentioned above. And when a brand can tell you the name and location of the person who sewed your jacket, that level of traceability is something no certification label alone can replace.

Perhaps most importantly, every purchase from a locally producing label helps preserve textile skills and craft knowledge that have been disappearing for decades. These are not just jobs, they’re cultural heritage.

Your move

Curious about fashion that’s made closer to home? The eight brands and stores above are a great place to start. At COSH!, we help you discover who makes your clothes, where, and how, so you can make choices that feel good and do good.

Explore more German-made labels and stores on cosh.eco and find the makers behind the fashion you wear.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What happened to the German textile industry? 

A: Germany was a major textile producer until the late 1950s, after which production steadily moved to lower-wage countries. According to the Fashion Council Germany, the manufacturing output of clothing and footwear declined by 91% between 1980 and 2020. Today, only around 5% of clothing sold in Germany is produced domestically. However, technical textiles remain a strong sector, generating approximately 13 billion euros annually.

Q: Are any fashion brands still producing clothes in Germany? 

A: Yes — a growing number of independent labels produce their clothing and accessories within Germany. These include brands like sweersocean (Aachen/​Frankfurt), bellaLEYK (Baden-Württemberg), Jede Studio (Hamburg), and KAYA (Berlin), among others. They typically work with small local ateliers, produce in limited quantities, and use materials such as deadstock fabrics, GOTS-certified organic cotton, or locally sourced leather.

Q: Is the textile industry in Germany making a comeback? 

A: There are signs of a modest revival, particularly among small and medium-sized brands. According to IBISWorld’s 2025 industry analysis, some German companies have relocated parts of their production back to Germany for quality and traceability reasons. EU regulations around textile transparency and circular economy requirements are also creating conditions that favour local, traceable production. However, large-scale reshoring remains limited.

Q: Why does it matter where my clothes are made? 

A: The location of production affects transport emissions, labour conditions, and supply chain transparency. Clothes made in Germany are subject to the country’s strict labour and environmental regulations. Local production also supports the preservation of textile craft skills that have been declining for decades. That said, production location alone doesn’t determine whether a garment is responsibly made; materials, processes, and certifications all play a role.

Q: How can I find fashion that is produced in Germany? 

A: COSH! is a discovery platform that helps you find stores and brands committed to more responsible practices, including those producing locally in Germany. You can browse by city, brand, or category at cosh.eco. Each brand page includes details about materials, production location, and certifications, so you can see exactly what goes into the clothes you’re considering.