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The FALKE Group is an internationally active clothing company.  The company specializes in legwear for women, men, and children, functional sportswear, as well as outerwear and underwear.

FALKE products are mainly produced in Europe and Africa and sold in 90 counties on six continents, in specialty and department stores, over 300 shop-in-shops (including Harrods in London and KaDeWe in Berlin), and 102 FALKE stores. The company also runs several online shops, including FALKE, Burlington, and outlet stores.^[1]

FALKE was founded in 1895 by Franz Falke-Rohen. A trained roofer, he worked as a seasonal knitter during the snowy Sauerland winters to support his family. After gaining experience at the Salomon Stern knitting factory in Schmallenberg, he decided to establish his own contract knitting business.^[2]

In 1902, his eldest son, Franz Falke Jr., joined the company. In the same year, he completed a 12-week training as an umbrella maker with his uncle. From 1906, FALKE sold hosiery under its own name and began sourcing yarn directly from spinning mills.^[3] In 1918, Franz Falke-Rohen and Franz Falke Jr. acquired the Carl Meisenburg wool and hair yarn spinning mill in Schmallenberg, which operated under the name "FALKE Garne" from 1918 to 2004.^[4] In 1920, they built a new factory for sock production on Oststraße in Schmallenberg, which still serves as FALKE Group’s headquarters today. In 1928, Franz Falke-Rohen passed away, and Franz Falke Jr. assumed majority ownership. The company has expanded from small craft production to an industrial firm employing roughly 800 people.^[5]

In 1939, Franz Falke Jr. purchased the Salomon Stern knitting factory from his Jewish school friend Arthur Stern, where his father had previously worked as a knitter. Today, this facility is known as FALKE Fashion. After the forced sale under National Socialist pressure, the Falke family made an additional compensation payment to the Stern family after World War II. Both families are still in contact to this day.^[6][7] In 1945, the first design of the FALKE brand logo was created and legally protected as a trademark in 1950.^[8][9]

After Franz Falke Jr.’s death in 1951, his sons Paul and Franz-Otto Falke jointly took over the company. In 1958, FALKE acquired the UHLI Fine Hosiery Factory in Lippstadt to expand into fine hosiery production.^[10]

At the start of the 1960s the market began to change because of international competition. FALKE also established its first production facilities abroad during this period to remain competitive. Cheap imports lead to increased price pressure.^[11] This shift results in labor disputes and the relocation of production overseas throughout the textile industry. During this time, FALKE also establishes its first production sites abroad in order to remain competitive.^[12]

In the 1970s, FALKE introduces an innovative retail concept with FALKE Pullishops and franchise stores — the FALKE Shop. This is a sales system offering coordinated upper and legwear along with matching accessories such as belts and scarves.^[13]

FALKE gains creative inspiration during this period through collaborations with international designers. Licensing partnerships are formed with brands such as Armani, Lagerfeld, Christian Dior, and Paul Smith.^[14]

In 1990, Paul Falke Sr. passed away. Leadership of the FALKE Group was taken over by his son Paul and Paul’s cousin Franz-Peter, son of Franz-Otto Falke, making them the fourth generation to lead the company.^[15][16] In 1989, FALKE became a licensee of the Esprit brand for the “Esprit Socks & Tights” product line. Also FALKE opened its own stores starting in 1992, beginning with a flagship store in Cologne.^[17]

Also in the 1990s, FALKE developed ergonomically designed socks for running, skiing, and trekking.^[18] In 1992, FALKE opened first own shops. Flagship store was in Cologne.^[19] In the 1990s, FALKE developed its first ergonomically designed socks for running, skiing, and trekking.^[20] In 1996, the company patented anatomically shaped footbeds with separate left and right socks.^[21]

Based on the idea of ergonomically and anatomically optimized clothing, FALKE later introduced the “FALKE Ergonomic Sport System,” a coordinated range of functional sports socks, underwear, and outerwear in a layering concept.^[22]  In 2006, the product line received the Runner’s World ISPO Award and in 2007 the German Design Award.^[23][24]

In 2008, FALKE acquired the brand rights to Burlington for Europe, South America, Africa, Australia, and the Middle East. Burlington, whose products still feature the signature Argyle pattern today, is managed as an independent brand under the FALKE Group.^[25]

For the company’s 125th anniversary in 2020, the logo was updated to include “Germany 1895,” which became the official brand logo in 2024.^[26]

In 2021, FALKE expanded its range to include underwear for men and women. The same year, the company launched its sustainability initiative, FALKE – We Care.^[27] The initiative reviews all processes to reduce energy use, waste, and rejects. Since 2022, all German company sites use electricity from renewable sources.^[28][29]

For animal-derived materials, attention is given to animal welfare; for example, the company uses mulesing-free wool and Caregora-certified angora wool. The full product range is gradually being converted to sustainable materials. To ensure socially responsible production, FALKE largely manufactures in its own production facilities, which are regularly inspected and audited by specially trained employees as well as independent external institutes.^[30] Particular attention is paid to working conditions, fair wages, and compliance with safety standards.^[31]

FALKE frequently collaborates with brands known for quality, craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation. Recent collaborations include Manolo Blahnik (2015),^[32][33] Phillip Lim (2017),^[34][35] Liberty (2020),^[36] Haribo (2022),^[37][38] Vilebrequin (2024),^[39] Moncler (2024), and Kaviar Gauche (2025).^[40][41]

In 1995 and 1996, FALKE supported the boxer Axel Schulz in his fights against Foreman, Botha, and Moorer. In 2007, the company sponsored boxer Henry Maske for his comeback fight against Virgil Hill, which was watched by 16 million TV viewers in Germany.^[42]

During the late 1990s, FALKE significantly expanded its presence in international motorsport. In 1997 and 1998, the company was a primary sub-sponsor for the Williams Formula 1 team, coinciding with Jacques Villeneuve’s World Championship victory in 1997.^[43]

In 2018, FALKE became the official fashion partner of TSG Hoffenheim.^[44][45]

Since 1996, FALKE has been equipping the teams of the Austrian Ski Federation with products from the FALKE Ergonomic Sport System.^[46][47]

In 2018, FALKE became the official fashion partner of the Bundesliga club, providing both functional sports gear and casual apparel for the players and staff.^[48][49]

Since 2018, FALKE has supported the EAGLES Charity Golf Club e.V., a non-profit organization.^[50]

FALKE has established a dominant presence in international winter sports, ensuring its products are represented at the Olympic Winter Games and World Championships through long-term partnerships with elite national teams:

• Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV): Since 1996, FALKE has been the official equipment supplier for the Austrian national teams. The partnership led to the development of specialized high-performance gear, such as the FALKE SK5 Austria Race sock, designed with silk for maximum thermal insulation and direct power transmission.^[51]

• German Ski Association (DSV): Starting with the 2014/15 season, FALKE became the official partner of the German national teams for Ski Alpine and Ski Cross. The athletes are equipped with functional underwear and ski socks from the FALKE Ergonomic Sport System collection for all international competitions, including the Olympics.^[52]

Category:Clothing companies of Germany Category:Clothing brands of Germany Category:Companies established in 1895 Category:1895 establishments in Germany Category:German brands Category:Family-owned companies of Germany Category:Schmallenberg