DANZ "weaving echoes"
As part of the project «weaving echoes», DANZ researches archival material, textile history, and textile-based crafts, often in dialogue with experts. A special focus is placed on the textile history of the Canton of Glarus — once a centre of Swiss textile production and the region where Mara Danz grew up. Through process-oriented methods, material-based experimentation and collaboration with local experts, research is translated into contemporary design.
In partnership with Textildruckerei Mitlödi, vibrant screen prints are developed from archival sources and printed onto deadstock fabrics, linking industrial knowledge with artistic research and contemporary design. In dialogue with artist Stefanie Salzmann, the potential of Swiss sheep’s wool is explored through natural dyeing and felting.
Produced in Switzerland in limited editions, the works embody a joyful, artisanal, and process-oriented approach to design.
DANZ Photography: Alexander Palacios, 2025
DANZ x Aargauer Kunsthaus, Klodin Erb "Vorhang fällt Hund bellt"
After leading a guided tour of Klodin Erb’s exhibition at Aargauer Kunsthaus from my perspective as a textile and fashion designer, I invited visitors to take part in a workshop in which textile objects were created.
At the center of the workshop was the design of a personal bag—as a symbolic container for everything we carry with us: memories, thoughts, questions, ruptures, and desires. The bags were created through cutting, folding, sewing, and knotting—not according to a fixed plan, but through an open process. As in Klodin Erb’s work, the moment of change was central here as well, leaving room for intuition, transformation, and spontaneous decisions.
Participants could choose from a wide variety of materials: fabric remnants, printed textiles, transparent layers, cords, wool, fringes, and zippers. The workshop offered space for individual material explorations and an opportunity to discover the poetic, emotional, and social power of textiles.
DANZ x Kühne
Together with poster designer Dafi Kühne we had a great exhibition weekend at the begin of October at Museum des Landes Freulerpalast in Näfels. For the project, we immersed ourselves in historical pattern books from the once flourishing Glarus local textile industry. Blank spaces, thread remnants, and burnt silhouettes in the historic books refer to missing fabric patterns—traces of social, aesthetic, and cultural interconnections.
Based on these fragments, we developed an artistic translation in a practical dialogue. Inspired by historical woodblock printing, we transferred the process to letterpress printing presses and printed silk fabrics on both sides—front and back—in a single printing pass. A specially developed technique: watch the documentary of the project.
Fabric leftovers from former Glarus manufacturers served as printing block material. Glued, altered, and transformed, they became printing formes for new silk scarves. In this process, the fabrics themselves become printed objects—their imprints tell of gaps and fragility in historical traditions. The prints created in the process show imperfections that can be read as part of the process documentation. The unique pieces range between experimental one-off art prints and finished silk scarves.
The one-off scarves were sold during the exhibition weekend at Museum des Landes Glarus on October 3–5, 2025.
DANZ x Stefanie Salzmann
Photography: Fabienne Inhalder
This artistic practice explores the transformation of sheep’s wool through felting, dyeing, and weaving, with a particular focus on collaboration. Individual knowledge is integrated into collective processes to reflect on the materiality of textiles as well as their social and ecological significance.
During a seven-month research journey in Korea and Japan, I deepened my understanding of traditional weaving techniques and plant-based dyeing methods. This experience led to the development of a project that reinterprets sheep’s wool as a sustainable resource. In collaboration with Stefanie Salzmann, I experiment with natural dyes such as madder, weld, chamomile, and cochineal. Historical dyeing techniques are transferred into new textile contexts, incorporating the (local) history and significance of the plants into the work.
The project merges craftsmanship with contemporary artistic practice, resulting in sculptural textiles that engage both body and space. The creation process follows an open, process-oriented approach: forms emerge through dialogue with the material, without a predetermined final outcome.
The collaboration in Glarus underscored the importance of continuing this research. It connects textile techniques, making them accessible through practical examples, while also questioning forms of textile production that go beyond industrial reproducibility.
A final publication will document the cultural and ecological significance of sheep’s wool as well as the collaborative working process. It will reflect the entire creation process and demonstrate how textile traditions can be translated into a contemporary context.
i am here to ask questions, i am here to tell a story
Zabriske Point 'petite souris'
Zabriskie Point
Genève - Rond Point de pleinpalais
18.01 - 22.02.2025
The exhibition Petite Souris is the result of a close collaboration between Jeanne Jacob and me (Mara Danz) in which we explored materiality in transition and presence in invisibility. Together, we developed textile objects designed to cover the windows during spatial reconstruction while being conceived as reusable elements. This process-based materiality points to an in-between state—a moment of latent possibility in which spaces and meanings transform.
The title Petite Souris evokes the image of a hidden presence: the mouse as a silent observer, a figure that moves between structures, present yet unnoticed. In its discreet existence and quiet action, it becomes a metaphor for the invisible processes that shape spaces while escaping perception. Through our collaboration, we created a shared space for reflection on transience, imperceptibility, and the dynamics of the in-between.
outside view of zabriskie point in Geneva, Switzerland 2025
Details
text for the exhibition by Jeanne Tullen:
Jeanne Jacob and Mara Danz cover Zabriskie with a new curtain. Or rather, a long piece of fabric layered with straw and stories. A soft structure of textile, at times like a wall, filtering the light.
A few months ago, they didn't know each other. When they met, they created ideas together and found common ground. They floated through the process, intuitively weaving the figures that linger between the scenes.
Walls are made of layers. There are those you see first through the window, hiding the ones in between, which hold secrets and insulate-warm-slow down. And then there are the big ones, the ones on the inside. You won't see them at first but they hold everything together, they lay the foundation.
Jeanne et Mara built with thread, straw, second-hand fabrics, and printed patterns. And inevitably, the stories follow-those from the past but also those born from their meeting. Stories are just as essential as the material itself. They are for later, for the nest.
Later is the time after this exhibition and before the next begins. When there's nothing left to see, they imagine a little mouse still there, nestled inside the folds of the wall they created just for her. Watching quietly, even when the space has grown still.
photography Barnabé Masson
Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst x DANZ - Lange Nacht der Zürcher Museen 2024
In September 2024, as part of the Long Night of Museums, the textile and fashion studio DANZ presented an interactive exploration of the world of textiles at the Migros Museum of Contemporary Art. Based in Glarus, Switzerland, DANZ focuses on reinterpreting traditional craftsmanship through contemporary design, with a strong emphasis on sustainable supply chains and material awareness in an industrialized world.
Participants were invited to discover textiles as a living medium—through touch, transformation, and interaction. Inspired by the exhibition Material Manipulations, the workshop provided a space for creative material experiments.
Workshop Elements:
Handbag & Keychain – In this format, participants followed step-by-step instructions from a publication created in collaboration with illustrator Silvan Zweifel. They crafted textile mementos, which they were able to take home.
Collective Thread-Spinning – Participants actively engaged in the creative process of collective weaving by working together on four large looms, each set with warp threads and using fabric scraps. This format encouraged exploration of collaborative production processes in the context of textile practices.
Thread Game "Textile Consumption" – In this interactive workshop, participants reflected on the social and ecological implications of textile consumption. By physically tying a thread, they were encouraged to critically examine their personal consumption habits and analyze the broader impacts of the fashion industry. The activity sparked dialogue on sustainable alternatives and potential positive changes within the industry.
"Textiles Rule the World" offered a tactile approach to the materiality of fabrics, inviting participants to rediscover the aesthetic and artistic potential of textiles.
The scenography of the space was designed in collaboration with Esther Spälti, enhancing the experimental and aesthetic spirit of the project and creating an engaging environment for the participants.
Booklet with illustrations by Silvan Zweifel
As part of the "Textiles Rule the World" workshop, an accompanying book was created to deepen the creative engagement with textiles. It features step-by-step instructions for crafting the DIY DANZ Handbag and DIY DANZ Keychain, illustrated through a combination of photographs and drawings by artist Silvan Zweifel.
Gebert Design Prize
Every two years, the Gebert Foundation for Culture in Rapperswil provides a platform DESIGNPRIZE Christa Gebert/Ambiente for young Swiss designers through this exhibition in the Alte Fabrik. This year, twelve talented designers have been invited to showcase their works in textile, furniture, industrial, interior, and product design.
Next to exhibiting I hosted a workshop titled "Textiles Rule the World" on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 1 PM to 4 PM.
Everyone was invited to join me as we explored the fascinating world of textiles and creativity together.
As Donna Haraway beautifully expresses: „The thread of the world is woven through knowledge, stories, and relationships.“
*Gebert Stiftung für Kultur / Bild: Sebastian Schaub
Texy by Irene Grillo for the exhibition:
Projekt "if you don’t let us dream, we won’t let you sleep"
Textile and fashion design studio DANZ focuses on the integration of craftsmanship techniques into contemporary design. It also questions the fashion industry's impact on the environment and society and uses textiles to address issues such as supply chains, feminist discourse and handicrafts. The current collection, if you don't let us dream, we won't let you sleep, is a collaboration with Switzerland's last industrial silk printer, the textile printing company Mitlödi in the canton of Glarus. The colourful designs are the result of extensive research in countless archive books. They were mostly printed on deadstock fabrics from the textile printer's warehouse and show how regional craftsmanship and contemporary design can merge into a socially and economically sustainable product. Alongside her work as a designer, Mara Danz is involved in art education and teaches fashion design at the F+F School of Art and Design. She has received numerous awards, including the Swiss Design Award, the Pro Helvetia Design Grant and the Culture Promotion Prize of the Canton of Glarus.
The presentation in the exhibition has been developed in collaboration with the scenographer Esther Spälti.
DANZ costume x Mirjam Marti & Gregory Tara Hari for the performance 'playing with fire'
Kostümdesign für die Performance 'playing with fire' - Darin spielen Bräuche, Tradtion und Geschichten rund um das Glarnerland eine tragende Rolle, insbesondere im Umgang mit dem Feuer; Der Brand von Glarus, Fridlisfüür, Anna Göldi, Schiibäflügä. Die Performance wurde im Kunsthaus Glarus, an der Cantonale Berne Jura und im Kunsthaus Pasquart in Biel aufgeführt.
Prozess Kostümdesign an einem Glarner Brunnen
Prozess Kostümdesign an einem Glarner Brunnen
Modboard and Tryouts
Für dieses Projekt habe ich zunächst verschiedene Stoffe auf ihre Brennbarkeit und die Auswirkung des Feuers auf den Stoff untersucht. Welche Brandspuren zeigen sich? Wie schnell fängt der Stoff Feuer und wie ist die Flamme kontrollierbar. Die Schnitte, Details und sind inspiriert aus der traditionellen Glarner Tracht - diese wurden dekonstruiert und weiterentwickelt.
Modboard and Versuche
Für dieses Projekt habe ich zunächst verschiedene Stoffe auf ihre Brennbarkeit und die Auswirkung des Feuers auf den Stoff untersucht. Welche Brandspuren zeigen sich? Wie schnell fängt der Stoff Feuer und wie ist die Flamme kontrollierbar. Die Schnitte, Details und sind inspiriert aus der traditionellen Glarner Tracht - diese wurden dekonstruiert und weiterentwickelt.
Textile research Hanji Paper
During an exchange in Seoul Korea in 2023 I was able to learn from korean craftists about the Hanji Paper. Here are some material experiments, through a process of layering the Hanji Paper with watering and kneading the texture and softness of the material becomes similar to leather. Hanji, also known as “mulberry paper,” is crafted through a traditional Korean papermaking technique using fibers from the paper mulberry plant. Hanji paper is sustainable, disposable and easily recyclable.
DANZ Presentation of the collection 'if you don't let us dream, we won't let you sleep'
If you dont let us dream, we wont let you sleep is the title of the collection 2023, to reveil the collection to the public a show was created. The performance took place on Friday 16.01.2023 and was presented at Zentralwäscherei in Zürich.
Backstage Photography by Veru
Video Gian Andrea Lüthi, creative direction and design by Mara Danz for DANZ, assistence Alice Bayer, choreography and art direction Yann Slattery, scenography Mikki Levy Strasse & Jana Lüthi
Photography by Veru Loremipsum, Céline Hess and Tomas Baumgartner
KNOTTED SEPIA
All ceramic objects are built by hand, glazed and fired in Zurich. Due to the manual production process, each piece is unique and can vary in shape, size and expression. The objects are fragile and must be handled with special care.
DANZ x Textildruckerei Mitlödi for the collection 'if you dont let us dream we won't let you sleep' 2023
For the 2023 collection 'if you dont let us dream we wont let you sleep,' I had the pleasure once again of collaborating with the textile printer Mitlödi. The resulting vibrant, handcrafted screen-printed fabrics, inspired by Swiss textile history, exemplify how I work with archives to reinterpret the hidden stories and formats of textile history in a fresh context. These printed textiles are designed, produced, and finished with great care in the Glarus region.
Für die Kollektion 'if you dont let us dream we wont let you sleep' 2023 hatte ich das vergnügen erneut eine Kollaboration mit der Textildruckerei Mitlödi umzusetzen. Die daraus entstandenen farbenfrohen, handgefertigten Siebdruckstoffe, welche von der Schweizer Textilgeschichte inspiriert sind, zeigen ein Beispiel, wie ich mit Archiven arbeite, um die darin verborgenen Geschichten und Formate der Textilgeschichte in einem neuen Kontext wiederzugeben. Die bedruckten Textilen werden mit viel Sorgfalt im Glarnerland designt, produziert und weiterverarbeitet.
Photography Dario Sollberger
DANZ costume x Jess Wonder - s'Konzärt
”Because everytime I feel ashamed for parts of my body or identity I know I am not the only one, and that the shame I am feeling is actually the oppression by beauty norms.” - Ina Holub
Choreografie Arlette Dellers, Assistenz Sofie Heller,Tanz Lena Marie Rheinländer, Katharina Naegeli, Pia Ringel,Musik Iman IbragicKostüm Mara Danz (@mara_danz) und Sandra Zurfluh, Nippel Alina Kopytsa, Make Up Design Sheyla Gómez, Make Up Production Sheyla Gómez, Franka Rosalie Feder, Marie-Paule Ricchi, Sofie Heller, Arlette Dellers, Vocal Coaching Annemarie Lauretta, Gesundheitscoach Marie-Paule Ricch, Outside Eye Lorenzo Ciciro , Produktion FLUX crew
Aufführungen: 15.04.2021, 20:00 Livestream, Mixed Pickles, Theater Roxy Birsfelde
bodystudies - fittings
DANZ x Tanja Vogt
This booklet for the Swiss Design Awards 2022 was created in collaboration with visual communication designer Tanja Vogt. The book highlights the experimental and material-based work of DANZ. It contains a collection of iconic brand images, catwalk images, core pieces and creative collaborations with artists such as ISSU ISSU, Olivia Schenker, Anne Bellinger, Yann Slattery and many more as well as processes, important data on the prints such as color specifications or screenprinting design numbers. The book gives an insight into the Universium DANZ and at the same time forms an archive for the project 'you have a beautiful voice' 2022, offering endless inspiration to be self-confident and radically individual as well as to ask questions about sustainability and production chains.
In Zusammenarbeit mit der Visual Communication designerin, Tanja Vogt ist diese Büchlein für die Swiss Design Awards 2022 enstanden. Das Buch zeigt die experimentive und Materialbasierte Arbeit von DANZ auf. Darin enthalten ist eine Sammlung von ikonischen Markenbildern, Laufstegbildern, Kernstücken und kreativen Kollaborationen mit Künstlern wie ISSU ISSU, Olivia Schenker, Anne Bellinger, Prozessen, sowie wichtigen Daten zu den Drucken wie Farbangaben oder Dessinnummern. Das Buch gibt einen Einblick in das Universium DANZ und bildet gleichzeitig ein Archiv für das Projekt 'you have a beautiful voice' 2022, es bietet endlose Inspiration, um selbstbewusst und radikal individuell zu sein sowie Fragen über Nachhaltigkeit und Produktionsketten zu stellen.
WINNER SWISS DESIGN AWARD 2022
For DANZ I curated an exhibition for the Swiss Design Awards 2022 and was deeply honored when the jury selected me as the Winner for Fashion and Textile Design.
Thank you all for these unforgettable moments, the love and support of the last year.
I designed an exhibition for the Swiss Design Awards, I had the honor of being selected by the jury as the winner of the Design Award. Surrounded by familiy and friends we celebrate the Swiss Design Awards. Thank you all for these unforgettable moments, the love and support of the last year.
DANZ Presentation of the collection 'you have a beautiful voice'
You have a beautiful voice is the title of the collection 2022, to show the collection to the public a show was created. The performance took place on th 09.09.2021 and was presented at Helferei in Zürich. 'Voices' in this fashion performance celebrates the diversity and strength of FLINTAQ*. Through the voices of performers from various backgrounds, it challenges stereotypes and invites reflection. It emphasizes the importance of every FLINTAQ* voice being heard and respected, advocating for their rights.
Backstage Photography by Marius Zweifel
Photography by Tomas Baumgarter (selection of Looks)
DANZ x Textildruckerei Mitlödi for the collection 'you have a beautiful voice' 2022
DANZ relies on local production, and in Mitlödi Textildruckerei it has found a partner that not only works locally but also cultivates a craft from this region. It is very important to us to keep the production routes as short as possible in order to gain an insight into the working conditions and to keep the ecological impact as small as possible.
A creative and forward-thinking collaboration has developed between Mara Danz and the company. Mara Danz scoured the company's archives in search of old print designs to breathe new life into them. With the inclusion of innovative printing techniques, the print collection DANZ was born. All fabrics from the collection 'you have a beautful voice' 2022 are silkscreenprinted in Mitloedi, Switzerland. The collection is made out of deadstock fabrics.
BELLINGER x DANZ
Anne Bellinger is a fashion designer from Germany who focuses on the development of unique textiles.
For the collection 'you have a beautiful voice' DANZ and Bellinger have created a shoe collection. Anne Bellinger has taken the print designs that DANZ developed for Mitlödi Textildruckerei and incorporated them with innovative handwork. The shoes, all second-hand, were thus upgraded into new must-have pieces.
DANZ x ISSU ISSU
Mariella Ingrassia and Cheryl Graf like it loud and bold. This is also evident in the editions of ISSU ISSU, the design collective behind which the two women stand. Time and again, they tackle unfamiliar materials and dive into new areas of design.
A wonderful collaboration has been created for the you have a beautiful voice collection. Organic earrings in three colours were designed by DANZ x ISSU ISSU and produced by a glassblower from Switzerland.
