Merz b. Schwanen – THE ORIGINALS

The GOOD ORIGINALS line of clothing is produced completely in Germany, on 100-year-old loopwheelers. Manufacturing is conducted in socially responsible working environments under fair working conditions. An ethical working environment and a living wage can be ensured due to Germany’s strict ethical workplace laws. The brand does not specifically mention any social certifications. However, producing locally allows them to ensure decent practices themselves through regular visits to the production factory. The organic cotton sourced by this brand comes from Greece meaning that no toxic chemicals are used in the process, protecting the worker, the environment and the consumer from harmful substances.

The GOOD ORIGINALS line is made on loopwheeler knitting machines with materials such as cotton, viscose, and merino wool. The majority of this line is made of organic cotton sourced from Greece. Here, farmers use complex watering systems to maximise water efficiency and minimise carbon emissions. The wool used is from organic farming. Although the viscose used in the clothing is conventional and uncertified, 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 the GOOD ORIGINALS collection.

The e‑commerce packaging for this brand is completely made of cardboard, which makes the boxes more sustainable than conventional plastic packaging. The company also uses old fabrication techniques with metal clips which make the boxes durable and reusable for a long time. The boxes are made in Germany. The supply chain packaging is made of recycled cardboard boxes.

The GOOD ORIGINALS 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. All materials are natural, and use no chemical additives, making them easily biodegradable.

The GOOD ORIGINALS line of products is designed in Berlin and completely produced in Southern Germany, ensuring a short production chain. The e‑commerce packaging is also produced in Germany. The cotton sourced from Greece increases the production chain length minimally. The source of the other materials is not stated, making the length of the entire supply chain hard to verify. Everything is transported by road. Their local production implies low transport emissions, not considering the transport of materials further down the supply chain.

This collection consists of a small percentage of wool products that are said to be certified mulesing free, however certification specifics are not provided.

The founders of Merz b. Schwanen discovered an old worker’s shirt at a flea market and successfully traced its production to a factory in Southern Germany where the outdated but sustainable loopwheeler knitting technique had once been practiced. They then decided to revive the original brand from 1911 and its loopwheeler production factory. This preserves the originality and unique vintage nature and durability of the fabrics, while also introducing a contemporary look and feel. These clothes are one-of-a-kind, with no side seams, intricate labels, or lettering. Their fabrics of varying mesh sizes contribute to the brand’s authenticity.

They only use premium fabrics, making sure that the finished products can be worn for decades. The original loopwheeler machines took a year to restore and are particularly challenging to find skilled operators for. They are very labour and time-intensive, which results in their products being slow-fashion. They are also timeless, year-round essentials, good for any look and mood, making them a seasonless addition to your wardrobe. Despite their basic nature, their designs have been worn on the red carpet by a star-studded fan base, proving their versatility.

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 in Germany 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.