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Status as at January 2016
Creative Industries in Vienna
Anyone visiting Vienna today will encounter a fascinating blend of tradition and innovation.
Old has not been dispelled by new, and a young creative scene has injected avant-garde
qualities into this venerable city of culture and the arts.
Vienna was the creative nucleus of Europe back at the start of the 20th century, when Josef
Hoffmann, Otto Wagner, Kolo Moser, Adolf Loos, and Gustav Klimt heralded the great age of
Austrian Modernism. Traditional Viennese enterprises, such as Augarten Porcelain Manufactory
and glassware specialists Lobmeyr, were quick to spot the potential of the creative movement.
They drew on designs by eminent artists of their day, including Josef Hoffmann, Michael Powolny,
Franz von Zülow, and other Wiener Werkstätte names.
In the 21st century, Vienna has once again become a crucible of creativity. Exciting innovations are
blossoming at the interfaces of art and design, traditional crafts and new technologies. The now
classic designs by Hoffmann et al are still being produced by traditional businesses in Vienna, but
they have been joined by refreshing new ideas from other young artists. A fine example is familyowned firm Lobmeyr, established 1823, that continues to embark on projects with contemporary
designers – resulting in products such as the “Still” drinking water collection by Italian design duo
Studio Formafantasma.
The many art fairs, design fairs, and music festivals held in Vienna offer insights into the city’s
vibrant creative scene. Held in September at the Marx Halle, viennacontemporary sees itself as an
incubator and showcase for young galleries from Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
About 100 galleries present new works of art each year – covering all forms, from the visual arts,
painting, graphic art, sculpture, and photography, to installations and performances. Vienna’s
gallery hotspots Eschenbachgasse and Schleifmühlgasse are well-represented alongside
exhibitors from other countries. There are currently plans to sharpen the special focus on Eastern
and Southeastern Europe in the coming years (www.viennacontemporary.at). A project called
“curated by”, initiated by departure (the creative agency of the city of Vienna), is aimed at finding
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innovative ways for galleries to cooperate with curators. Respected Viennese contemporary art
galleries take present exhibitions developed by international curators, resulting in a broad array of
high quality exhibitions addressing the particular theme chosen for that year (www.curatedby.at).
Meanwhile, Parallel Vienna, held in empty locations around the city, aims to offer an alternative
that contrasts with viennacontemporary (www.parallelvienna.com).
Music festival and conference Waves Vienna also takes place in fall. Started in 2011, Waves
Vienna defines itself as a club and showcase festival, focusing especially on bands and musicians
that are still relatively little known, or only known in their own local regions, and offering them
exposure to a wider audience. In spring, the sound:frame festival is dedicated to the theory and
practice of audiovisual art forms (www.soundframe.at).
Vienna Design Week plays out every year in fall at various locations throughout the city, shedding
light on design from the widest variety of different angles. In addition to the products themselves,
this successful festival looks at the creative process and production requirements. This has helped
Vienna Design Week – held for the first time in 2007 – rapidly establish itself as a mainstay of the
city’s fall cultural calendar (www.viennadesignweek.at).
Creative Funding – New Impetus in Vienna
With its unrivaled heritage and lively, young creative scene, Vienna is predestined to become a
major center for the creative industries. The city recognized the contribution made by these
creative enterprises at an early stage and set to work promoting their activities via a series of
innovative support programs initiated by the Vienna Business Agency. It provides additional
impetus through its creative center, departure, which is responsible for networking, supporting and
promoting the capital’s creative businesses. departure also works to encourage networking within
the creative sector, and promotes creativity in the business community, helping companies to team
up with other creative individuals (www.wirtschaftsagentur.at).
From 2014, the Austrian Fashion Association is responsible for organizing the award of fashion
grants from the federal government and the City of Vienna. Its purpose is to support the Austrian
fashion design scene by establishing funding programs, and to present the Austrian Fashion
Awards (www.austrianfashionassociation.at).
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Fashion from Vienna: Everything but Traditional
GON: playful and close to nature
www.gonvienna.com
Christina Steiner set up her label GON a short time after graduating in fashion design from the
Vienna University of Applied Arts. Inspired by nature, her patterns and prints also reflect street art
and African influences. Her collections can be found at the PARK store in Vienna, as well as in
selected boutiques in Japan, Spain and France.
Bradaric Ohmae: women’s clothing and leather accessories
www.bradaric-ohmae.com
Tanja Bradaric of Croatia and Taro Ohmae of Japan met while studying fashion under Raf Simons
and Veronique Branquinho at the Vienna University of Applied Arts. After graduating, Bradaric and
Ohmae traveled to Paris together to work for Chloé and Balenciaga, eventually returning to the
Austrian capital in 2012 to set up their own label. Their fashions and accessories have a timeless
appeal, with the inimitable Thonet wickerwork chairs inspiring their coats and bags. Bradaric
Ohmae can be found at Song in Vienna’s Praterstrasse, with their own shop set to follow soon.
Ferrari Zöchling: art and fashion
Kirchengasse 27 IV, 1070 Vienna, www.ferrarizoechling.com
The Ferrari Zöchling label was established in the summer of 2013 by Romana Zöchling and
Monica Ferrari-Krieger. From the word go, the duo have worked closely with various artists and
photographers whose designs feature in various silk prints. Created in Austria, the duo’s
collections have been available to buy in their store in Kirchengasse in the seventh district since it
opened in December 2015.
Femme Maison: Minimalism and Understatement
www.femme-maison.com
Feminine, luxurious, minimalistic and made using only the highest quality material – these are the
defining features of the women’s collections and accessories by Femme Maison. The young label
was founded by Franziska Fürpass and Sia Kermani. Fürpass, a graduate of the fashion diploma
course at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, is responsible for design, while Kermani takes care
of visual presentation. Their collections will soon be available to the public at their studio in Vienna.
Femme Maison now has its own shop in the trendy Servitenviertel district.
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meshit Shop: Urban Design
Westbahnstrasse 25, 1070 Vienna, www.meshit.at
Ida Steixner and Lena Krampf founded their label in 2010 after completing their studies at Vienna’s
Hetzendorf fashion school. Before long, one of their collections was picked up by British fashion
chain Topshop, and in 2011 they received the City of Vienna’s Fashion Award. Their designs defy
classification, combining diverse elements to create trendy, urban outfits that are easy to wear. The
meshit store opened in the seventh district in 2014, and offers the duo’s current collection to
shoppers, alongside selected items from other designers.
Wendy & Jim: Big in Japan
www.wendy-jim.com
Wendy & Jim is Vienna’s biggest fashion success story since Helmut Lang. Their avant-garde
designs can be seen at the world’s most important fashion shows, and since 2003 they have been
members of the “Chambre syndicale du prêt-à-porter des couturiers et des créateurs de mode”.
Hermann Fankhauser and Helga Schania sum up their credo thus: “We do more than just present
garments. We create an attitude toward life.” For years now, the biggest run on the creations by
Wendy & Jim has been witnessed in Japan, where the trend for the avant-garde is obviously more
pronounced than in Europe.
Susanne Bisovsky: Haute Couture, Punk and Traditional Trachten Fashion
Salon Privé Seidengasse 13/6, 1070 Vienna (by appointment), www.bisovsky.com
Susanne Bisovsky studied under Vivienne Westwood and Helmut Lang, and Jean-Charles de
Castelbajac called her to Paris as a newcomer. “There is nothing less fashionable than the current
height of fashion,” sums up the fashion creator’s approach to her craft. This stance has led her to
draw inspiration from distinctly local details. Bisovsky effortlessly combines motifs that occur in folk
costume with high-end fashion, or even deliberately sets them against punk elements. Her haute
couture portfolio includes collections called “Trachtencouture Trachtenpunk” and “Wiener Chic”. In
line with her seemingly anachronistic approach to fashion, Susanne Bisovsky presents her designs
in a 200-square-meter boutique, aptly named Salon privé. As the name suggests, opening hours
are by appointment only.
superated: Synergistic Store
“Samstag”, Margaretenstrasse 46, 1040 Vienna, www.samstag-shop.com
superated’s fashion makes a statement with its clean lines, quality materials and original cuts – all
of which create a timeless, yet modern look. superated (Peter Holzinger and Christian Moser) has
established itself as an ultra-fashionable label, now with its own store, Samstag, in Vienna’s
Margaretenstrasse. In keeping with the synergistic concept, the store also stocks items from other
designers.
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Ute Ploier: Menswear by a Lady
Rüdigergasse 8/3, 1050 Vienna, www.uteploier.com
Ute Ploier began by specializing in men’s fashions. In 2003, at the age of 27, she was the first
Austrian female designer to win the renowned Prix Hommes for the best men’s collection at the
International Fashion and Photography Festival in Hyères. Ploier presented her first women’s
collection in 2013. Her designs stand out for their captivating high-tech aesthetics and avant-garde
tone. A sample sale is held at her workshop in Vienna twice a year; check the newsletter for
details.
Petar Petrov Menswear: Bulgaria, Vienna, Paris
Praterstrasse 33/20, 1020 Vienna, www.petarpetrov.com
From Bulgaria to the Paris Fashion Week via the University of Vienna – this is Petar Petrov’s CV in
a nutshell. His trademark pared-down designs, sometimes startling use of color, and passion for
offbeat details – such as asymmetrical pleats and folds – have given him a deeply characteristic
style of his own. In June 2004, Petrov was added to the official Paris Fashion Week show calendar
and he has been a constant presence in the French capital ever since. His résumé perfectly
illustrates just how at home the Viennese creative scene is as a bridge between East and West.
The designer cites echoes of his Eastern European roots and cues taken from his immediate
surroundings as the greatest sources of inspiration for his work.
Accessories: Artistic Bodywear & Headgear
Feinedinge: porcelain all the way
Margaretenstrasse 35, 1040 Vienna, www.feinedinge.at
The Austrian label Feinedinge specializes in working with porcelain. Its handcrafted products could
never be mistaken for mass produced goods thanks to a thoughtful application of form, color and
decorative detailing. The collections include tableware, lamps, lanterns, vases and accessories.
Feinedinge products are now available in 10 different European countries as well as Australia,
Japan, Kuwait and the USA. Their beautiful, light-filled Vienna shop and showroom can be found
on Margaretenstrasse just round the corner from Naschmarkt.
Wiener Flaschengeister: literary medicine
Sonnenfelsgasse 3, 1010 Vienna, www.flaschengeister.at
Helge Timmerberg is a journalist, author, globetrotter and Vienna fan. Wiener Flaschengeister
represents the transformation of a spontaneous idea into a functioning project whereby he pens
instruction leaflets to accompany the various “spirits“ trapped in his medicine bottles. The “literary
medicine“ ranges from “Deeps – The Spirit Against Unnecessary Braking” to “Efac – The Spirit
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Against Rash Words”. The bottled spirits are available from the Wiener Flaschengeister shop in the
first district, online and from selected boutiques in the city.
Vienna Cruiser: scaled up upcycling
Westbahnstrasse 35, 1070 Vienna, www.reanimated-bikes.com
The Vienna Cruiser is the first bike in the world made from a combination of recycled and new
components to go into series production, with a run of 300 units set for 2016. It will be coproduced
by reanimated-bikes and local not-for-profit organization Jugend am Werk. With seven gears and a
large front wheel, the Vienna Cruiser has been optimized for city riders, while an upright seating
position gives a better view of the traffic and alleviates pressure on the wrists and shoulders.
rosa mosa: Accessories with Zeitgeist
Mollardgasse 85A, staircase 3, units 125+126, 1060 Vienna, www.rosamosa.com
Simone Springer and Yuji Mizbouchi have enjoyed international success with their shoe label since
2002 and are now expanding with an accessories line in the upscale segment, cooperating with
traditional regional Blaudruck textile printers, basket weavers, bag makers, and belt makers to
produce high quality purses, belts, and wallets.
Ina Kent: bags that work
Neubaugasse 34 & Siebensterngasse 50, 1070 Vienna, www.inakent.at
“Bags tell stories” is Ina Kent’s motto. The Vienna-based designer sees her bags as more than
solitary objects, approaching them instead as a kind of versatile accessory to be combined at will
with other pieces. In addition to a well-thought-out design language, the success of the individual
pieces hinges on the highest quality finish and materials. Ina Kent dispenses with extraneous
details, and allows functionality to set the agenda. The term understatement could well be applied
here, and the bags readily demonstrate that good design seldom needs to be spectacular. On her
website the designer shows how her creations can be simply “remodeled” and carried in a host of
different ways.
Florian Ladstätter: Applied Jewelry
www.florian-design.com
“I come from a culture that has always regarded jewelry as art and had it on display,” says Florian
Ladstätter. But Ladstätter is not satisfied with this alone; he sees his works as more than just
autonomous objects: “The applied dimension is much more exciting than a piece of jewelry worn to
playfully adorn the body.” The surprising forms created by the Viennese designer using innovative
combinations of materials quickly brought him international success. His work has been publicized
in magazines such as i-D, AnOther Magazine, and the Japanese edition of Vogue, and acquired by
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institutions including the University of Applied Arts Vienna and the Victoria and Albert Museum in
London.
Mühlbauer: Keep a Cool Head
Mühlbauer Hutmanufaktur, Seilergasse 10, 1010 Vienna + Neubaugasse 34, 1070 Vienna,
www.muehlbauer.at
The name Mühlbauer has been synonymous with high-quality headwear in Vienna since the
beginning of the 20th century. When Klaus Mühlbauer and his sister Marlies took over the family
business in 2000, they totally revamped the range. Quality has remained, while seasoned
craftsmanship has been given new expression. Avant-garde styles have made Mühlbauer
headwear attractive for trendsetters the world over – from Eva Padberg to Yoko Ono. Eighty
percent of Mühlbauer hats are exported. In Vienna, Mühlbauer has a studio at Schwedenplatz, a
flagship store designed by architect duo Kühn Malvezzi in Seilergasse and another store on
Neubaugasse. The store’s cool design provides a perfect backdrop to the offbeat headwear.
AND_i: Cool and Eyecatching
Workshop: Hohlweggasse 11/2 (by prior arrangement), 1030 Vienna, www.and-i.net
For up-and-coming Vienna jewelry designer Andreas Eberharter, New York and Tokyo were the
first stops – after his online store – on his way to establishing himself internationally. As well as the
distinctive use of aluminum, Eberharter’s AND_i collections stand out for their high quality
handcraftsmanship and uncompromising design. By the time Lady Gaga wore an aluminum eye
patch by AND_i in the video for her song Paparazzi, the extravagant accessories had already
become a must-have on the international fashion scene. Eberharter’s work has since graduated to
being exhibited at museums, with the MAK – Austrian Museum of Applied Arts/Contemporary Art
acquiring a number of pieces for its collection. In Vienna, AND_i jewelry is available at various
places including artup (Bauernmarkt 8, 1010 Vienna, www.artup.at), the MAK Design Shop
(Stubenring 5, 1010 Vienna, www.mak.at), spiegelgasse acht – design & art objects (Spiegelgasse
8, 1010 Vienna, www.spiegelgasse8.com) or by prior arrangement at the designer’s workshop.
Eva Blut: Innovatively Mixing Materials
Eva Blut Store, Kühfussgasse 2, 1010 Vienna, www.evablut.com
Founded in 1998, this label is about innovative accessory collections. Designer Eva Buchleitner
works at the intersection of fashion and product design. Her pieces are distinguished by their
effortless elegance, high functionality and clever design solutions.
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Design: Unconventional, Glamorous & Practical
LightGlass: Self-luminous
Heiligenstädter Strasse 145/15/10, 1190 Vienna, www.lightglass.net
LightGlass is a patented technology that is turning conventional ideas about how we use glass
upside down. Self-luminous glass means that window glass can fully light up at the touch of a
button, can replace curtains or blinds at night, or can make shower cubicles opaque. The
possibilities are almost endless – this dual-use glass is a revolutionary prospect for architectural
design as well as for commercial applications in public spaces.
Walking Chair: Oblique Design
Rasumofskygasse 10, 1030 Vienna, www.walking-chair.com
Walking Chair designers Karl-Emilio Pircher and Fidel Peugeot aspire to high ideals: “Good design
should entrance you, just as if you were looking at the Mona Lisa.” Their own designs certainly
reflect this aim, with products such as the round PingMeetsPong conference table and the Walking
Chair. Walking Chair is constantly looking to upgrade public spaces in its Public Furnitures project.
These pieces, finished in robust materials, have lines that are cut to the requirements of 21st
century users. Comfort, privacy and communication are the guiding principles – in addition to
offering protection from the elements these creations feature monitors and WiFi.
Lucy.D: Practical Sculptures
Lucy.D Design, Halbgasse 20/3, 1070, www.lucyd.com
“Simplicity of use is the focus. We take our inspiration from everyday situations, which we
constantly observe and reappraise.” This is how designers Barbara Ambrosz and Karin Santorso
describe the principle behind their label, LUCY.D. Perhaps there is a hint of understatement here,
as the label is a byword for unconventional and experimental design at the interface between
practical object and sculpture. The exclusive Ryker and Scott series form the foundation of the
collection, which will be extended in coming years. Ambrosz and Santorso’s designs have been
creating a stir for years. Her Liquid Skin drinking bowl, made by Vienna glass manufacturer
Lobmeyr, has been added to the permanent design collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New
York, the Victoria & Albert Museum collection in London, as well as other collections. The Ryker
porcelain service was included in the International Design Yearbook 2005 and Paul Smith has
since added it to his collection.
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Music: Cooler than Mozart
Concert Keyboard from Vienna: Lachnit MK22
Eslarngasse 15/73, 1030 Vienna, www.flkeys.at
The Lachnit MK22 is a high-end master or controller keyboard for discerning musicians that feel at
home in front of a conventional piano or keyboard. FLKeys is an extension of centuries of
instrument making tradition in Vienna. All of the individual components such as the casing, side
panels, electronics and software are supplied by specialist Viennese companies ready for
assembly by FLKeys.
Ball speaker by mo° sound
Kirchengasse 40, 1070 Vienna, www.mo-sound.com
mo° sound’s ball speaker incorporates expert sound design and a hard porcelain shell. The
company teamed up with Wiener Porzellanmanufaktur Augarten and Weimarer Porzellan to get the
results it was looking for. The combination of high-tech components and extra-hard, multiple fired
porcelain creates a special sound: clear, stable and – thanks to the solidity of the material –
virtually vibration free.
MIKME: Just a Song
Kleine Sperlgasse 10/15, 1020 Vienna, www.mikme.com
Getting a song that’s in your head down on paper isn’t easy, even for musicians. The MIKME
Microphone and MIKME App simplify the process of writing songs and composing music, and are
the brainchild of individuals from Vienna’s creative and music scene who wanted to manufacture
simple, attractive tools for music lovers.
Las Vegas Records: Viva Vienna Music
Georg-Sigl-Gasse 2/14, 1090 Vienna, www.lasvegasrecords.at
Las Vegas Records was established in Vienna in 2006. Following successful releases by bands
like Kommando Elefant and The Helmut Bergers, in 2010 and 2011 the indie label expanded into
concert bookings and promotion, as well as becoming a publishing house. At the center of their
expansion is an open database, containing useful information for musicians, producers, studios,
promoters and the media, together with ratings. The label’s branch office in Hamburg will mean
that artists are even better positioned internationally.
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Waves Net: pop culture networking with Eastern Europe
www.wavesvienna.com
Vienna has long since established itself in the art world as the gateway to Eastern Europe. But
when it comes to popular culture, networking leaves a lot to be desired. And that’s where Waves
Net comes into the picture. This trans-European network has been set up to promote small and
medium-sized music markets. One focus of its activities is the Waves Vienna club festival and the
Waves-Net events in Eastern Europe. The organization also maintains an extensive database for
organizing and hosting events to help raise awareness of artists working in lesser known music
markets among pop music fans in Western Europe – something that will benefit both musicians
and the Austrian capital as a pop hub.
sound:frame AV: audiovisual HQ
www.soundframe.at
The sound:frame festival puts the art of audiovisual media in the spotlight, showing how VJing and
live video performances have long been an integral part of live electronic music. And now this
festival has given rise to the sound:frame AV platform, which serves as a repository of knowledge
and a point of contact for the city’s audiovisual creatives. Its activities span everything from one-off
events to DVD publications. sound:frame AV recently produced the architectural projections
designed by artist group Urbanscreen to mark the tenth anniversary of the MuseumsQuartier. Most
of the time, electronic and pop music provides the starting point for the AV genre, but classical
music also lends itself extremely well to audio-visual productions: the Gustav Mahler Lied
Collector’s Edition is a case in point. This seven-piece DVD box set contains visualizations of
Mahler’s songs by annablume, LIA, Luma.Launisch, LWZ, Valence and Victoria Coeln. Avantgarde electronic musician Christian Fennesz and Berlin-based video artist Lillevan contributed a
Mahler remix to the Mahler box set.
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