History
Betty Barclay established
Max Berk takes over a textile factory in Mannheim. He soon changes over to ladies’ wear.
Destruction of the factory in the War.
After the end of the War reconstruction of various factories in the Heidelberg area.
Max Berk acquires a licence from the Jonathan Logan Group to distribute the American BETTY BARCLAY brand in Europe. Founding of BETTY BARCLAY Kleiderfabrik GmbH in Heidelberg. The company’s first own BETTY BARCLAY collection is created in the spring.
The first VERA MONT collection is developed. It concentrates on formal evening, cocktail and bridal fashions. Founding of VERA MONT in France.
The GIL BRET brand is created. A product line comprising coats, jackets, suits and trouser suits.
The sales volume rises to almost DM 70 million and makes it essential to expand the company in terms of area. The core of the group of companies is built on around 15,000m² in Nußloch near Heidelberg. It comprises the operations areas of production, central distribution and administration.
Exceeded the sales threshold of DM 100 million per year.
The BETTY BARCLAY label is acquired for exclusive use worldwide.
Opening of the Max Berk Textile Museum in Heidelberg in the former protestant Baroque church dating from 1733 specially purchased and renovated for this purpose.
Max Berk receives the ‘Internationaler Mode-Marketing-Preis’ [International Fashion Marketing Prize] at IGEDO, Düsseldorf.
Company founder Max Berk moves to chair the Executive Council and transfers management of the group of companies to his son-in-law Jürgen H. Winter.
Alongside the traditional product groups, a complete clothing idea is considered for the first time: the first combination ranges are designed.
BETTY BARCLAY receives the highest recognition score for a domestic brand in ladies’ wear.
Launch of the first BETTY BARCLAY shop-in-shop systems.
Building of a new warehouse and distribution area with a high level of automation.
Jürgen H. Winter takes over management of the group of companies as managing partner.
The first licence is awarded for BETTY BARCLAY Fragrance.
Received the ‘Forum Prize’ from the German textile industry.
Another licence is awarded for BETTY BARCLAY Shoe Fashion, today known as BETTY BARCLAY Shoes.
The company is named “Manufacturer of the year” by Drapers Record, the UK’s leading trade journal for the textile industry.
BETTY BARCLAY is “Official Dressmaker” to the World Figure Skating Championships in Lausanne.
Another licence is awarded for BETTY BARCLAY Accessories.
The group of companies launches its own website.
Since this year the company has been a sponsor of the “BETTY BARCLAY Race” horse race in Iffezheim.
60th anniversary event for the group of companies in Düsseldorf with 2,500 guests from 30 countries.
BETTY BARCLAY is “Brand of the year”, awarded by Drapers Record, UK.
Until the end of the tournament in 2002, BETTY BARCLAY is the sponsor of the international women’s tennis tournament at Rothenbaum, Hamburg, the “BETTY BARCLAY Cup” .
Establishment of a business-to-business area for our retail partners within the worldwide web.
BETTY BARCLAY is Official Dressmaker to the German women’s Olympic team in Sydney.
GIL BRET COORDINATES is launched on the market with a new and independent collection.
BETTY BARCLAY develops type and style consulting.
Realignment of the BETTY BARCLAY brand, including an updated logo.
BETTY BARCLAY Forum in 11 cities with over 1,200 retail partners.
GIL BRET offensive with the Living Outdoor Concept (LOC) and updated logo.
Continuation of the BETTY BARCLAY Forum in the UK as part of the PURE fashion fair.
More licences are awarded for BETTY BARCLAY Eyewear and BETTY BARCLAY Watches.
VERA MONT offers young evening fashion for school proms, etc. with the VM line.
Opening of the Nußloch Fashion Park, with 1,000m² new sales area for swimwear/lingerie, BETTY BARCLAY Shoes and men’s fahsion.
BETTY BARCLAY is once again “Official Dressmaker to the women’s Olympic team” in Athens and dresses 269 sportswomen and officials. Heike Drechsler is the Olympics Testimonial.
The BETTY BARCLAY brand celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The BETTY BARCLAY brand has been awarded the Fashion and Marketing Prize of the Town of Krefeld, the “Goldene Seidenschleife 2005” [Golden Silk Bow].
Another licence is awarded BETTY BARCLAY Bodywear.
Launch of the new fragrance trilogy BETTY BARCLAY Selection.
Launch of BETTY BARCLAY Jewellery.
Division of the BETTY BARCLAY lifestyle collections into COLLECTION, ELEMENTS and OUTDOOR.
BETTY BARCLAY develops a new shop concept and presents the complete lifestyle world of the brand to the public by opening the new BETTY BARCLAY Stores in Leipzig (ECE-Centre Nova Eventis) and in Hamburg (AEZ).
Launch of the new fragrance BETTY BARCLAY in Love.
BETTY BARCLAY scores a brand awareness of 78%
(Source: Spiegel Outfit Studie 2007).
BETTY BARCLAY is Official Dressmaker to the German women’s Olympic team at the Olympic Summer games in Peking.
Launch of the first BETTY BARCLAY ELEMENTS shop in Wiesbaden.
The GIL BRET brand celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Launch of the SAINT JACQUES brand.
BETTY BARCLAY launches with CROSS OVER the latest outdoor collection of new, modern and also functional jackets.
Launch of the new fragrance BETTY BARCLAY Beautiful and the saesonal concept BETTY BARCLAY Amazing Love.
Launch of the new fragrance BETTY BARCLAY Pure Style.
VERA MONT wins the OK! Style Award 2011.
BETTY BARCLAY becomes the title presenter of the JAB Anstoetz Ladies' Cup women's golf tournament.
The Swedish fashion magazine HABIT names BETTY BARCLAY "Best Supplier" in the 2011Modegalan fashion awards.
Eva Padberg becomes the face of the BETTY BARCLAY advertising campaign.
BETTY BARCLAY is the title presenter of the JAB Anstoetz Ladies Cup golf tournament for the second time.
Launch of the new fragrance BETTY BARCLAY Chic.
The VERA MONT brand celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The new face of the VM by VERA MONT advertising campaign is Janina Uhse.
Launch of the new fragrance BETTY BARCLAY style by night.
The BETTY BARCLAY Fashion Group launches the new fashion brand "CARTOON".
Launch of the new fragrance BETTY BARCLAY Tender Blossom.
BETTY BARCLAY is the official sponsor and gives its name to the Betty Barclay Ladies Golf Tour.
BETTY BARCLAY is sponsor of the BMW Open.
BETTY BARCLAY is sponsor of the award „Die Goldene Bild der Frau“.
VERA MONT is sponsor of the award "40. Deutscher Filmball".