Meet Danielle
What inspired the first Ibby and Puzz headband?
Ibby and Puzz came about because I was looking for something I wanted to wear but could not find. I wanted a statement headband that could make even the simplest outfit feel a little less ordinary, made from textiles I have always loved, particularly cashmere, velvet, and handwoven Uzbek ikat. So, almost on a whim, I sketched an idea and worked with a local artisan in Vienna to bring the very first piece to life.
The headband was always the natural starting point because, on the best—or worst—of hair days, it has the ability to completely transform an outfit. It is one of those rare accessories that feels effortless, yet instantly elevates whatever you are wearing. That has always been the heart of the brand.
How have Vienna and a life lived internationally shaped your approach to design?
Although I am originally from the United States, I have lived in Vienna for more than two decades, working primarily for international organizations. My work took me all over the world and gave me the opportunity to discover extraordinary textiles and the stories behind them. My perspective on fashion has therefore been shaped as much by travel and culture as by design itself.
What I especially appreciate about Austria is its respect for traditional craftsmanship. The Dirndl and Tracht are not simply garments—they express identity, heritage, and a sense of place. That resonates deeply with me. I have always been drawn to textiles that tell the story of where they come from, and I love bringing those traditions into conversation with one another.
That is one of the reasons Uzbek ikat felt so right. Its bold patterns and rich history complement Austrian craftsmanship beautifully, creating something that feels both internationally inspired and completely at home in Vienna.
Why Uzbek ikat?
What makes Uzbek ikat so unique is the process. Unlike most fabrics, where the cloth is woven first and then printed or dyed, ikat begins with the threads themselves. Each thread is dyed before it is woven, so the pattern is created long before the fabric even exists. It is an incredibly slow, intentional, and highly skilled process.
What draws me to ikat, though, is its honesty. You can always recognize an authentic handwoven piece because of its small imperfections—the slight variations in the pattern and the tiny breaks where the fabric has been advanced on the loom. Those are not flaws to me; they are evidence of the human hand. They remind us that something beautiful does not have to be perfect, and I find that incredibly reassuring.
What draws you to the interplay of ikat, cashmere and velvet?
For me, a fabric is right when it creates an emotional as well as a sensory response. I want people to enjoy not only how a piece looks, but also how it feels when they wear it.
Cashmere has an incredible softness and warmth. Velvet brings structure, depth, and richness. Then there is handwoven ikat, with its distinctive texture and character that you simply cannot replicate.
What I love most is the way they complement one another. The softness of the cashmere, the richness of the velvet, and the texture of the ikat each bring something different, but together they create a balance that feels both beautiful and timeless.
What makes a piece unmistakably Ibby and Puzz?
What makes a piece unmistakably Ibby and Puzz is first its shape. So many headbands rely on structure, embellishment, or additional design elements, whereas ours has a very distinctive silhouette that allows the textile itself to make the statement.
What does working in limited editions allow you to preserve?
I deliberately work in very small batches because the fabrics themselves are limited. There are only a certain number of metres woven in each pattern and colour, and once they are gone, they are gone. I like the idea that things take time and that they are not endlessly reproduced.
I also love that every Ibby and Puzz piece is unique. Even when two headbands are made from the same textile, the fabric is cut differently, so the pattern is never identical. Each piece is quite literally one of a kind and belongs uniquely to the person wearing it.
The challenge, of course, is that once a design sells out, I cannot simply make more. But I actually think that is part of the magic. It allows each collection to have its own story and gives every piece a sense of rarity.
What is the story behind "Don't worry, I love you"?
Every piece carries the words Don't worry, I love you stitched inside, and that is truly the heart of our brand. Ibby and Puzz were the nicknames my grandparents had for one another. They wrote love letters throughout their lives, and my grandmother always signed them, Don't worry, I love you.
Today, those words, in her actual handwriting, are woven into every label and stitched into every piece we create. It is a small reminder that love, comfort, and reassurance can be found in the most unexpected places.
For me, it is deeply personal. Every time I see those words, I think of my grandparents and the love they shared. By stitching that message into each piece, I hope every person who wears Ibby and Puzz carries a little bit of that love with them. That is what our brand is really about.
Can what we wear carry meaning beyond style?
Our Don't worry, I love you message is a reminder that what we wear can be more than just on trend. It can also carry love, memory, and meaning stitched inside. If we can add a little more of that to someone's day, then I think we have done something worthwhile.
What does slow fashion mean in practice at Ibby and Puzz?
To me, slow fashion is about intention and patience—two things that are increasingly easy to lose sight of. Every stage of the process requires both. There is intention in the way the threads are dyed, patience in the weaving, intention in how each piece is cut in our Vienna atelier, and patience in the stitching and finishing by hand.
Nothing is rushed, because it cannot be. Every step contributes to the story of the finished piece.
I have always believed that the best things in life come to those who wait, and I think the same is true for what we wear. When something has been made with care, intention, and time, you can feel the difference.
How do you see the world of Ibby and Puzz evolving?
My plans for the future are to continue building around our signature piece—the headband—which will always remain at the heart of Ibby and Puzz. At the same time, I look forward to expanding into other accessories using the same beautiful combinations of textiles. We already create stoles, barrettes, and pocket squares, and I love seeing the fabrics take on new forms. In fact, one of my biggest fans is my 17-year-old son, who regularly borrows our stoles.
More than anything, I hope people continue to discover and support smaller artisans and independent makers. I hope they choose pieces not simply because they are fashionable, but because they carry a story, reflect genuine craftsmanship, and have been made with care. Those are the kinds of things that stay with you long after a trend has passed.
