When MAZINE began its story in 1998 in Mülheim an der Ruhr, the region already carried a rich legacy of change. For generations, the Ruhr area has brought together people, cultures and ideas. MAZINE was born in this setting, and that connection to change and evolution continues to shape the brand today.
From the beginning, MAZINE has focused on function, authenticity and adaptability. Everyday life moves between work, family, leisure and personal style, and the brand designs streetwear and outerwear with these different moments in mind.
Even as trends have changed, MAZINE has maintained its focus on creating clothing for people who walk their own path. What started in 1998 has developed over time as the brand has explored new materials, designs and product categories while continuing to work with long-standing suppliers. “Every market has its own relationship to sustainability, its own price sensitivity, its own aesthetic preferences,” explains Henry Canton, MAZINE’s brand ambassador. With a price range from €50 to €250, the brand aims to make its collections accessible to a broad audience.
Long-term relationships also play a role in MAZINE’s approach to production. The company has worked with some of the same suppliers for years while continuing to develop its materials, designs and product categories.
“When customers entrust us with their money,” managing director Jina Oh explains, “they deserve to know where it goes.” Looking ahead is another part of that approach. The team considers how developments ranging from climate regulation and changing consumer behaviour to new technologies could affect the fashion industry in the years ahead.
MAZINE’s roadmap includes material innovation partnerships, urban regeneration projects and local and European recycling initiatives.
“Our goal is honesty,” says Oh. “In an industry built on aspiration and illusion, that’s perhaps the most radical position of all.”
Certification forms another part of MAZINE’s approach. MAZINE is certified to GOTS within its applicable certification scope. GOTS sets defined environmental and social requirements for textile processing after raw fibre production. Recycled materials also feature in parts of MAZINE’s collections. The brand uses materials including recycled polyester in qualifying products, with GRS certification used where applicable to provide independent certification against the requirements of that standard.
For MAZINE, looking at materials also means considering how existing resources can be used in new products. Recycled fibres can provide inputs for new textile products, and the brand continues to explore their use alongside other material choices.
This work takes place against a wider industry conversation about textile waste, resource use and the lifespan of clothing. MAZINE’s response is to continue examining its materials, product design and production relationships rather than presenting the journey as complete.
The team describes this as an ongoing process. Materials and designs continue to evolve, new approaches are explored, and certification provides defined requirements against which activities within its scope can be independently assessed. Since 1998, MAZINE’s fashion and identity have evolved with the times while maintaining their roots in the Ruhr. From Mülheim to a wider international audience, the brand continues to combine its history with an interest in materials, design and the future of clothing.
