CIAO
Ciao Crew is the Frankfurt, Germany-based collective and apparel brand founded around
2012 by Bruno Hoffmann and
Merlin Czarnulla. More than a brand, it's a "Sammelbecken" (collective) for their crew, edits, and the "Ciao" lifestyle – a slang
term for anything "extreme".
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CIAO FAQ
Who or what is Ciao Crew?
Ciao (or Ciao Crew) is a German BMX collective and apparel brand from Frankfurt, founded around 2012/2013 by Bruno Hoffmann and Merlin Czarnulla. It was born from a highly motivated local scene, with the goal of pushing their friends and capturing their culture.
What does the Ciao brand stand for?
Ciao is not just a T-shirt company. As Bruno described it, it's a collective pool for edits, parties, concerts, and art, not limited to BMX. The name "Ciao" is Frankfurt/German slang from that time for when something is "extreme" or "next level" (positive or negative). As Merlin put it: "If someone does a 40-stair rail, that's ciao. If someone falls through the club, that's ciao."
What makes Ciao products special?
The specialty is its deep authenticity. The brand was founded to fill the gap left by fading local brands like The Con and "fettarmemilch." The designs are not "just Photoshop," but collaborations with artists like Darth Vragk and Vincent to create a unique cultural identity.
What does Ciao primarily manufacture?
Ciao produces apparel (Soft Goods) like T-Shirts and labels, but its main output is culture:
- Apparel (T-Shirts, etc.)
- Media (like their highly anticipated first "Mixtape")
- Events, Parties, and Art Shows.
The Ciao Crew Mixtape
The crew's first video project, the "Ciao Mixtape," perfectly captured their raw energy and the vibe of the Frankfurt scene at the time. Check it out here:
Who are Ciao products suitable for?
Ciao products are for riders who identify with the creative, core German street scene (especially Frankfurt) and want to support an authentic collective driven by top riders like Bruno Hoffmann.
Who is in the Ciao Crew?
The crew consists of the friends Bruno and Merlin hang and ride with every day. The core crew includes Bruno Hoffmann, Merlin Czarnulla, Sebastian Anton, Eddie Baum, Tom Schorb-Mergenthaler, Felix Reinhard, and Ben Francke, with connections to riders like Lukas Häusler (Cologne).
Is Ciao still active?
Ciao is no longer active. The brand was a key part of the German scene in the early 2010s but is now defunct.