Marte Hentschel founded the Berlin fashion production agency Common Works in 2009, together with her partner Odila Wüst. After visiting sweatshops in Asia, she decided to set up an alternative infrastructure to the common garment industry.
She believes in smart and innovative fashion design and in long-lasting, well crafted products which are the greatest challenge but also opportunity for emerging fashion designers. In her role as CEO she advises fashion companies and entrepreneurs in CSR and brand conception, as well as in product development and supply chain management.
Common Works provides pattern making and prototyping of sustainable textile products and garments such as the management of fair fashion production. Within five years Common Works became the biggest service provider in Berlin for the fashion industry with a team of 17 tailors, pattern makers, textile technicians and production managers.