Falke Brand Guide

Falke dates back to 1895 when, then roofer, Franz Falke-Rohen purchased his own knitting mill after working as a knitter during the winter season. Franz jun, Franz’s son, managed the knitting factory during the unstable time of the first world war. Falke consider the purchase of the Wool- and Heir-Yarn Spinning Mill Carl Meisenburg in 1918 by the father and son central to laying the foundations of today’s successful Falke Group.

A pivotal moment for the Falke group came in 1920 when the Falke factory was built in Schmallenberg, this same location is still the company’s headquarters. At this time, new sock manufacturing machines were purchased along with their very first telephone connection. 8 sewing companies were also drafted in to help with production. In 1928, Falke’s founder, Franz Falke-Rohen, dies leaving the running of Falke to his son after it had successfully expanded to having around 800 employees.

The Falke tradmark was developed in 1946 and used in the legwear area for the very first time, in 1950 the famous Falke pictoral logo was reistered and inues patented. Falke continues to be handed down within the Falke family when Franz Falke-Junior dies in 1951 and his sons, Paul and Franz-Otto, take over the running of the company.

In 1958, Falke could add the production of hoisery to their repatoir of producing knitted socks with the purchase of the Uhli, a hoisery manufacture who were the first to manufacture nylon pantyhose in Germany and the frst hosiery on a cotton machine. In 1974 Falke international locations were established. During the 70s, 80s and 90s Falke established relationships with strong licensing partners including Christian Dior, Armani, Paul Smith and many more.

In 1990 the fourth generation of Falke’s take over the business when Paul Falke senior dies. Under the mangament of Paul, his son and counsin Franz-Peter (the son of Franz-Otto) the first Falke flagship shop is opened in Cologne in 1992. Expanding the business further, Falke takeover Leinefelde Textile Works GmbH (LTW) in 1997. In 1998, Falke has 81 consessions in Germany and 20 in Europe while also opening up further stores in Berlin and Vienna.

A massive step was taken in 1999 when Franz Falke-Rohen Socks and Falke Hosiery in Lippstad were merged under the Falke KG umbrella. Since then Falke have exapanded their expertise into sportswear. Always striving for the very best, Falke continue to create beautiful pieces with the perfect design in mind.