Craftsmanship and design in Upper Austria

**Gexi* crafts...**

... with needle and thread, with leather and lasts, with sound and colour. Where creative individuals in Upper Austria get to work, concrete and steel transform into elegant designs, delicate fabrics come together in “fesches Gwand” (stylish attire) and precisely crafted wood resonates and sings. And after a job well done, you can really “blau machen” (relax and unwind) here.

*Gexi Tostmann (born in 1942, former director of Tostmann Trachten in Seewalchen am Attersee. She is the expert when it comes to traditional Austrian clothing, especially the classic Dirndl, and collaborated with Vivienne Westwood and Andreas Kronthaler to bring new design accents to the traditional clothing.)

Ein Nadelpolster, Scheren, ein Maßband, Stickgarn, Knöpfe und Stoff liegen auf einem Holztisch

The Craftsman’s Route

A tour for lovers of fine craftsmanship. From exquisite linen and blueprints, handmade wooden boats (“Zillen”) and jaw harps, to elegant Gmunden ceramics and hats from Bad Ischl. Experience exquisite craftsmanship from Upper Austria.

From jaw harps to Lederhosen

Every region of Upper Austria has its own craft traditions. In the Enns and Steyr valley, iron takes centre stage, as can be seen in items like the Molln jaw harp or the Trattenbach “Feitel” knives. The Mühlviertel region remains a stronghold of linen production and processing. But glass and its skilled handling also played a significant role here, such as reverse glass painting in Sandl.

In the Salzkammergut region, traditional clothing is a part of everyday life. The right Lederhosen, the correct hat or Goiserer shoes are all handcrafted. In addition, you’ll find trendy yet traditional accessories like eyeglasses made from deer horn. A home for the craft culture in the Salzkammergut region is the “HAND.WERK.HAUS” in Bad Goisern.