VERY VIENNA
TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY BY
ANNA DOROTHEA KER
Residents of Vienna enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world – an advantage in which the city’s architecture plays a large role. Amongst the neo-Gothic and neo-Baroque splendour of Ringstrasse and the Modernist legacy of Wagner and Loos, it’s Vienna’s progressive social housing policy that shines particularly bright.
62% of the city’s residents residing in social and cooperative housing, much of which is considered highly desirable. Take Alt-Erlaa, built in the 1960s according to the principle of “the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people”. Built to foster wellbeing, proximity to nature and community, an address at this cooperative is highly coveted – and serves as a blueprint for the future of urban living.
From progressive social housing to a world-class contemporary art and design scene, community and collaboration pulses through the city’s veins. In 2018, this atmosphere sparked an eclectic artistic partnership between legendary producer Peter Kruder and photographer Stefanie Moshammer for the launch of the QWSTION DJ Pack. Our roots in the city run deeper still. We started working with Johnny Huemer, co-founder of the former concept store, COMERC, seven years ago – so when he proposed we open a flagship in Vienna, it was only natural that he would lead the team there.
When our Zurich-based design team visits Vienna, our favourite place to stay is the quirky Hotel am Brillantengrund, where our bags have a home in the hotel’s Hidden Store – alongside co-founder Marvin Mangalino’s fashion-forward cycle wear range, BBUC. In short: Vienna is forever on the up, and we’re excited to be along for the ride.
