Im Gespräch mit ... Vresh GmbH | Wirtschaft Innovation Linz

In conversation with ... Vresh GmbH

Fair fashion from the Tabakfabrik: How Vresh combines European textile craftsmanship with modern values

Vresh GmbH, based at the Tabakfabrik in Linz, is driving a sustainable and fair revolution in the fashion industry. The company aims to create fair working conditions throughout the supply chain and to operate in a resource-efficient manner. The focus is on durable design and affordable products, because sustainable fashion should be accessible to everyone.

The company is committed to fair prices throughout the entire value chain, from production partners to end customers. Every day, the team examines how processes can be made more sustainable and effective, and how awareness of the value of clothing can be raised. At the Vresh Shop in the ‘Haus Smart’ at the Tabakfabrik, Michaela Geiseder, the label’s managing director, answered questions from the City of Linz’s Economic Affairs Department.

Customer-focused advice and innovative tools for conscious consumption

The Linz site employs eight people who cover various areas such as marketing, fulfilment and customer service. The majority of turnover is currently generated online. Despite the lower volumes, returns are accepted in accordance with legal requirements; however, the company places greater emphasis on education and transparency in order to minimise returns.

“The website features comprehensive information on measurements, the models wearing the clothes and sizes, as well as a size guide that uses artificial intelligence to recommend the right fit,” explains Geiseder. The aim is to encourage informed purchasing decisions and avoid unnecessary returns.

Demonstrating responsibility for the European textile craft

The company’s focus is currently on German-speaking countries, particularly Germany and Austria. According to the managing director, there is still great potential in these markets. The production partners are mainly based in Portugal and, to some extent, in Poland. “It is a particular priority to preserve the European textile craft and offer partner businesses long-term prospects.

As full-scale textile production is no longer possible in Austria, Vresh has set itself the task of helping to prevent the textile trade from being lost through migration to Asia,” notes Geiseder when we turn to the topic of competing low-cost suppliers.

Transparent supply chain: working with family-run businesses in Portugal

Another distinctive feature of Vresh is its commitment to transparency and accountability throughout the entire value chain. “We work with numerous family-run businesses in northern Portugal, which handle every stage of production – from weaving the fabric through to dyeing, cutting and sewing, right through to washing and packaging – all within a radius of around 50 kilometres. This close collaboration enables us to guarantee fair pay and secure orders,” Michaela Geiseder tells us enthusiastically.

Here, most people are known by name and problems are solved together, as partnerships are based on equality and mutual trust. In contrast to large corporations, where price pressure and uncertainty usually prevail, Vresh focuses on fostering long-term relationships. In this way, the network in Portugal is continuously strengthened to maintain high-quality production in Europe.

Networks and partnerships as the foundation for sustainable fashion

Production is coordinated centrally from Linz, with support from two coordinators based in Portugal. Communication is regular and close-knit, taking place both digitally and through face-to-face visits. These visits are essential for gaining a better understanding of the production stages, finalising details and further developing the network. Each collection is created through co-creation processes and benefits from the knowledge and experience of many people involved. This highlights just how many people and how much manual labour go into every single product.

Geiseder explains: “Up to 40 or 50 people can be involved in making a single T-shirt. This appreciation for craftsmanship and the people involved shapes Vresh’s identity and sets the products apart from industrial mass-produced goods.” The “Tabakfabrik Original” in Linz demonstrates that sustainable fashion is possible on the basis of partnership, transparency and appreciation for all those involved. Every product is the result of a strong network and many hands – and that is precisely what makes the difference.

„Linz - A City of Makers“: Short distances, creative diversity and development potential

For Michaela Geiseder, Linz is an attractive location “thanks to its short distances – both geographically and in terms of human connections.” The city combines a village-like atmosphere with urban diversity, fostering exchange and collaboration rather than competition. “Particularly valuable is the blend of industry, creativity and a vibrant cultural scene, which makes Linz a true ‘city of doers’,” she adds.

As for the Tabakfabrik as a creative hotspot, Vresh would like to see greater visibility and better transport links so that it can fully realise its potential as a neighbourhood. Looking ahead, an even more developed infrastructure and attractive living spaces are also crucial to ensure that Linz continues to attract people and is perceived as a special location. There is nothing left to add to Geiseder’s closing words: “Linz’s uniqueness is a real driving force and advantage!”

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