Inspired by a vintage Henley found at a Berlin flea market, fashion designers Gitta and Peter Plotnicki set out on a path to revive the historic brand Merz b. Schwanen. Originally founded in 1911 by Balthasar Merz to make Henleys and underwear for workers, the garments they made were unlike anything among today's mass-produced options. Much of this had to do with the circular loopwheeler machines that weave tubular fabrics. Today the Merz b. Schwanen factory has 32 of these machines, which is a majority of the remaining loopwheelers in existence. The weaving process is twenty times slower than modern machines but results in a strong, slubby fabric that is truly unique. Of course, the deeper intent was always to preserve the tradition of craftsmanship woven into the Swabain Alps regional history so it can be shared with the world for many years to come.
