Elégance – a fascinating world of fashion for over 70 years
The Elégance name traditionally stands for the beautiful, exclusive things in life. The success story began in the thirties with the manufacture of luxurious materials for the fashion-conscious customer in Germany. Now, Elégance is a world-renowned supplier of high-quality women’s fashion.
Join us on a journey from the past to the future!
1938
The Offergelt brothers establish the company of
Elégance. They sell high-quality materials to couture houses
and dressmaker.
1950
The Offergelt brothers start up again after the war.
With just three employees, they make an exciting move:
into selling top-quality fabrics to the most discriminating
fashion houses.
1954
The first subsidiary is set up in France, followed by
further subsidiaries in Europe.
1955
Foundation of the Austrian subsidiary.
1960
Foundation of the Swiss subsidiary.
1965
Elégance PARIS commences distribution of its fabrics in Japan.
1969
Premiere of the Prêt-à-Porter Collection and
publication of the first fashion catalogue.
1971
Prêt-à-porter collection first distributed in Japan.
1973
Foundation of the Belgian subsidiary.
1980
First Elégance licences issued in Asia.
1985
First franchise and shop-in-shop partnerships
in retail stores in Japan.
1989
Joined the KarstadtQuelle Group.
1992
Elégance shops are opened in Berlin, London and
other European cities, followed by the flagship store in
Paris in 1995.
1998
Development of a sales network in Japan.
2001
Elégance opens its online internet shop.
2002
Systematic development of franchise
partnerships in Europe and Asia.
2004
Start and development of licence business in Europe.
2007
There are over 70 company-owned and
franchise shops and corners all over the world.
Elégance launches a new website.
2008
Elégance celebrates its 70th anniversary.
