Merz b. Schwanen

The GOOD BASICS line by this brand is produced entirely in Portugal, and manufacturing is claimed to be done in socially responsible working environments under fair working conditions. However, the details of the production facility and sources of many materials are not stated, making these ethical practices unverifiable. Their cotton is sourced from Greece and Peru, where no toxic chemicals are used in the production process, ensuring the safety of workers and consumers.

The GOOD BASICS line is made with materials such as cotton and merino wool. The majority of this line is made of organic cotton sourced from Greece and Peru as well as recycled cotton. Here, farmers use complex watering systems to maximise water efficiency and minimise carbon emissions. The merino wool is supposed to be certified mulesing-free, however, certifications are not stated. All the materials are of natural origin and biodegradable. Therefore they have a minimal environmental impact.

All the fabric finishings are free of hazardous chemicals, not including industrial pre-wash solutions, making each garment eco-friendly and gentle to the skin and environment. The brand does not use any bleaching and recommends consumers do the same by offering their own detergent specifically created for their collections.

The brand has also released its first sneaker made in cooperation with Novesta from Slovakia, mainly using entirely GOTS-certified cotton and vulcanised natural rubber.

The e‑commerce packaging for this line is made of cardboard, which makes the boxes more sustainable than conventional plastic packaging. The supply-chain packaging of the GOOD BASICS line is made of fully recycled and recyclable polybags. These take up less space and are light, which allows a more condensed bulk transportation volume to the warehouse in Germany.

The GOOD BASICS line of clothing is fully recyclable. It consists of mostly mono-material garments, and the material blends are composed in a way that they are easily recyclable at the end of their lifecycle. It also features recycled cotton, contributing to the material’s circularity. All materials are natural, and use no chemical additives, making them easily biodegradable.

This line of products is designed in Berlin and wholly produced in Portugal, keeping the production chain relatively short. However, cotton is sourced from Greece and Peru, which increases the supply chain length. In addition, the source of other materials is not stated, making the entire supply chain hard to verify. They also do not define the method of transportation. However, their local production implies low transport emissions, not considering the transport of materials further down the supply chain.

The GOOD BASICS collection includes a small percentage of wool and silk products, that are said to be certified mulesing-free. Whether the silk is peace-silk is not specified.

The GOOD BASICS line uses premium materials such as Peruvian pima cotton, known for its durability and high quality. The cotton has a slubbed structure, which is a unique type of knitting pattern. This line includes women’s- and menswear but is designed to be unisex. Merz b. Schwanen uses traditional and innovative production techniques that ensure their products are wearable for decades. The individual garments feature unique colour variations depending on the material.

Despite their basic design, their pieces can be worn for any occasion. Moreover, they are year-round essentials, making them time- and seasonless.

The brand also puts effort into creating high-quality and beautifully designed packaging, contributing to the brand’s original heritage and history. The cartons are made of durable and aesthetic cardboard that can be reused for storage.

Their detergent and detailed care labels with specific instructions allow their products to withstand the test of time.

Merz b. Schwanen is very transparent about its materials, production stages, and processes, stating specific details in each product description and on its material pages. The material page also includes specifics on the knitting techniques, and information on the uniqueness of each product, making sure the customer knows exactly what they are buying. However, they could provide more transparency regarding their specific certifications, including certification numbers and their transportation methods of choice regarding their material suppliers.