Bye 2025, and hello 2026!

2025 was anything but boring! For us at MARAI, this year was full of bold decisions, small milestones, challenges, and moments that helped us grow.

As a small brand focused on craftsmanship, local production, and a mindful pace, we can't launch new items every week – and honestly, that's not really our philosophy. We want to create things that last, that you'll wear, that are allowed to age, and that develop their own unique story.

Even so – or maybe even because of that – 2025 was a really productive year for us.
We got to bring new pieces to life, testing, discarding, improving, and rethinking them from scratch. Our leather pants made their way into their first wardrobes. The Re:Piece Tote Bag became your new favorite – and no wonder, because it truly embodies MARAI down to every detail: using up remnants, preserving what's valuable, and creating something new from it. Our customers really embraced this too, because they're not just consumers. They're people who make conscious choices and care about materials, origin, and values. That's exactly what makes this community so special.

2025 was also a year full of new connections. We got to meet so many new faces at fairs and open studios in Zurich, had some great chats, and saw how much our work meant to people. That really motivates us, more than we can even put into words!

A really special moment for us, and for the Regional Leather initiative we helped start, was getting our Oeko-Tex certification. This officially confirms what we've always cared about: being transparent, taking responsibility, and knowing exactly where our materials come from – all the way from the farm to the tannery.

Of course, we faced challenges too. Running a small brand means you're juggling lots of different roles, making decisions with both your heart and your head, and always needing a good dose of patience. But that's also the beautiful part: taking things slow, always moving forward, and just sticking with it.

Looking ahead to 2026, one thing's for sure: it's going to be exciting! Maybe something blue is coming. Or maybe green. Perhaps a new bag shape – or something totally different. We get our inspiration from materials, cool finds, new encounters, and how things are made. Maybe we'll even do our first community co-creation, and you can help decide! Because at the end of the day, our products are always a team effort, from the farms to the tanneries, the makers, and even you. Everyone plays their part.

Thanks for being here.
Thanks for embracing Slow Living.
Thanks for not just recognizing craftsmanship, but supporting it.

Here's to a new year full of fresh ideas, wonderful encounters, and things that truly last.

Warmly,
Nina & Team MARAI