Moritz Wenz

Production locations

• Germany
• Italy 

Working Conditions & Living Wages

Moritz Wenz’s collection is handcrafted, mainly in Germany, with some Italian pieces, including collaborations with the Otter-Messer factory in Solingen. The design process, especially for jewellery, is rooted in Pforzheim, the ​“gold city” in the Black Forest, emphasizing a strong network and ethical sourcing of materials like precious metals and leather predominantly from Pforzheim and German companies. This dedication to local craftsmanship and ethical practices, recognized with the 2017 Ethical Style award, is evident in the store’s curated range, with over 50% of sales coming from their in-house jewellery and leather collections. 

Materials

• Leather
• Gold
• Silver
• Pearls
• Brass 
   

Moritz Wenz’s collection integrates more environmentally conscious choices, such as vegetable-tanned cowhide, with materials like gold and silver and pearls, to create stories through their pieces. To support more sustainable practices, their precious metals are sometimes recycled, thereby reducing the brand’s reliance on raw materials. 

Packaging

Moritz Wenz ensures that their packaging is plastic-free, and mostly made from recycled paper, produced in Nuremberg to their specifications. 

Water usage & chemicals

The brand values historical tanning methods, personally visiting suppliers to maintain a close connection to their traditional practices. Vegetable tanning points to a more environmentally conscious choice, given its lower environmental impact compared to conventional tanning methods.

Circular product design

Moritz Wenz uses primarily uses recyclable materials, which are sometimes recycled too, aligning with circular principles. 

NOTE: Jewellery is generally easy to recycle and lasts a long time.

Circular business models

The brand’s approach seems personal enough for consumers to request repairs, keeping their products out of landfills. 

Distance & complexity of the supply chain

Production locations 

• Germany
• Italy 

Moritz Wenz Studio’s operations are centred in Germany, with some production activities extending to Italy. Their sourcing chain is also limited to Germany. This keeps their supply chain relatively short and simple. 

Transportation

Moritz Wenz does not disclose details on their transportation methods. However, as their materials are sourced from Germany, and products mostly made in Germany too, transportation-related emissions are minimised. 

For product delivery to consumers, the brand uses standard conventional mailing services, but also offers a ​“pick-up-in-store” option, which has the potential to reduce transportation emissions. 

• Cowhide
• Pearls 

The Studio uses cowhide and pearls in some of their products, however, they do not provide information regarding the ethical sourcing of these materials. This leaves questions about the animal welfare standards followed in their procurement.

Product design

Moritz Wenz Studio crafts high-quality, timeless products, blending traditional craftsmanship with innovative designs. Their commitment to quality is evident in the use of durable materials like precious metals.

The studio emphasizes conscious production, working with small family businesses to promote regional manufacturing techniques. While specific details on care tips, repair services, or warranties aren’t provided, the studio’s approach suggests a focus on longevity and quality in their product range, as well as a personal connection with their customers.

Slow fashion processes

Moritz Wenz provides custom-made options, further supporting slow-fashion principles. 

Transparency on product

The brand provides detailed product descriptions, stating both the materials used and the production country. This ensures that consumers will always know where their specific purchases were produced. 

Transparency on processes

Alongside the company information shared on their website, the brand has also provided COSH! with more specific details about their partner companies. This helps us to verify their sustainability-related practices. We would love to see more information regarding the ethical sourcing of animal products, but besides that, we commend the brand’s efforts at transparency and their drive to keep improving their sustainability practices.