The Merz b. Schwanen story begins in Germany's Swabian Alps, where Balthasar Merz began manufacturing loopwheeled henleys and underwear in 1911. A century later, fashion designers Gitta and Peter Plotnicki unearthed a Merz b. Schwanen henley at a flea market, and a new chapter began. The pair re-established the brand in 2011, manufacturing once again in the Swabian Alps on Germany's last remaining loop wheelers. Their family-run, Berlin-based business is driven by steadfast values of heritage, integrity and sustainability, with a continued focus on ethical production and high-quality materials.