On March 13, 2025, the Shift Microfactory was officially launched at Bikini Berlin, marking a significant milestone in the movement towards more sustainable fashion production. This truly innovative initiative brings together a range of stakeholders, including fashion brands, material suppliers, software developers, and production specialists, to push the boundaries of sustainable textile manufacturing and to redefine sustainable manufacturing practices within the fashion industry.
The Shift Microfactory is part of VORN – The Berlin Fashion Hub, an initiative dedicated to driving change in the fashion industry. Marte Hentschel, a professor for Sustainable Fashion at BSP Berlin and Co-CEO of VORN, has played an instrumental role in bringing this project to life. The microfactory is also part of the collaborative research project Circular Microfactory Berlin, a partnership between the BSP Business and Law School’s Faculty Creative Business and VORN, supported by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) from 2023 to 2025.
The microfactory at Bikini Berlin provides a collaborative, interactive space where design, production, product development, and material recycling are integrated seamlessly. The goal is to demonstrate how these processes can work together in a more sustainable manner, inspiring new industrial practices that could be replicated globally. The project emphasizes sustainability not only in the end product but throughout the entire supply chain, from raw materials to finished garments.
Following the successful opening of this first unit in Berlin, the Shift Microfactory team plans to scale the initiative to additional locations, further expanding its impact on the global fashion industry. In line with the launch, the Shift Microfactory will host several workshops to engage the public and professionals alike. The upcoming Knitwear Inside Out workshop, from May 5–7, 2025, will explore sustainable knitwear production, combining traditional techniques with cutting-edge technology.
For more information and to register for the workshop, visit: www.shift.vorn-hub.com/events/workshop-knitwear-inside-out