FALKE Group

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.^[1]

FALKE was founded in 1895 by Franz Falke-Rohen. A trained roofer, he worked as a seasonal knitter during the snowy Sauerland winters. Later, he decided to establish his own contract knitting business.^[2]

In 1902, his eldest son, Franz Falke Jr., joined the company. 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.^[5]

In 1939, Franz Falke Jr. purchased the Salomon Stern knitting factory from his Jewish school friend Arthur Stern. 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.^[6][7][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]

In the 1970s, FALKE introduces a retail concept with FALKE Pullishops and franchise stores — the FALKE Shop.^[11] 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.^[12]

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.^[13][14] 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.^[15]

In the 1990s, FALKE developed its first ergonomically designed socks for running, skiing, and trekking.^[16] In 1996, the company patented anatomically shaped footbeds with separate left and right socks.^[17][18] In 2006, the product line received the Runner's World ISPO Award and in 2007 the German Design Award.^[19][20]

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.^[21]

FALKE frequently collaborates with brands known for quality, craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation. Recent collaborations include Manolo Blahnik (2015),^[22][23] Phillip Lim (2017),^[24][25] Liberty (2020),^[26] Haribo (2022),^[27][28] Vilebrequin (2024),^[29] Moncler (2024), and Kaviar Gauche (2025).^[30][31]

In 2018, FALKE became the official fashion partner of TSG Hoffenheim.^[32][33] FALKE became the official fashion partner of the Bundesliga club, providing both functional sports gear and casual apparel for the players and staff.^[34][35] Since 2018, FALKE has supported the EAGLES Charity Golf Club e.V., a non-profit organization.^[36]

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.^[37]
• 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.^[38]