The lifestyle accessories industry is experiencing a powerful shift where design, function and sustainability meet. From watches to phone accessories, consumers are seeking products that elevate everyday life while telling a story. Across Europe, this industry has grown quickly as brands explore new ways to stay relevant in a fast-changing world. Urbany’s is a standout example, a brand that began as a dream between two friends and has grown into a trusted name, now found in leading retail spaces and homes across Switzerland and beyond.
Young Dreams That Turned Into An Entrepreneurial Vision
Patrik and Carlo first met during their school years in Zurich, bonding over soccer, travels and shared adventures. In 2016, they decided to channel this bond into building something of their own. The idea was simple yet ambitious: discover urban trends and bring them directly to people through an online store.
They started small with only five backpacks and ten watches, selling them through a self-built website and Facebook ads. To their surprise, demand was strong and stock ran out quickly. This early success motivated them to officially found Urbany’s GmbH in 2017. However, when their first in-house designed watches faced delays and a crowded market, they had to rethink their direction.
Berlin Inspiration And The Birth Of The Phone Necklace
Instead of giving up, the founders moved to Berlin to immerse themselves in new ideas. It was there that they discovered the growing popularity of phone necklaces, a functional and stylish accessory already trending on the city’s streets. Inspired, they began experimenting with prototypes, crafting cords and cases by hand, and eventually developing their first market-ready Urbany’s phone necklace.
Family support played a vital role during this time. Carlo’s parents offered their basement as a small studio and warehouse in Zurich, where the first batches were assembled and shipped. These necklaces quickly became a hit, proving to be the turning point that redefined Urbany’s identity and future.
Growth, Partnerships And A Sustainable Future
With rising demand, Urbany’s returned to Switzerland to build a reliable supply chain and strengthen its product offering. Collaborations with partners such as the Altried Foundation, which employs people with disabilities, highlighted the brand’s commitment to social responsibility. Prestigious Swiss retailers including Globus, Swisscom, Fizzen and Loeb soon became stockists, cementing Urbany’s place in the lifestyle accessories market.
In 2021, the brand opened its flagship store in Zurich, serving as both showroom and headquarters for its growing six-person team. That same year, a warehouse in Berlin was established to meet international demand. With a clear focus on expanding sustainably, Urbany’s now embraces recycled materials and vegan leather, ensuring its future collections remain both stylish and conscious.
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