By Malene Birger
Denmark
By Malene Birger is a Danish designer brand founded in 2003 by Malene Birger. She sold her share to IC Group in 2010 and left her creative director role in January 2014. The current ownership was not verified for this profile.
| Founded | 2003 (per Wikipedia) |
|---|---|
| Founder | Malene Birger |
| Founder's exit | Sold her share 2010; left creative role January 2014 |
| Past owner | IC Group |
| Origin | Denmark |
| Segment | Premium and contemporary |
| Website | bymalenebirger.com |
What is By Malene Birger?
By Malene Birger is a Danish women's fashion brand that describes itself as "an international designer brand bringing an artistic angle to contemporary classics". It is distinct from Day Birger et Mikkelsen, which Malene Birger co-founded in 1997.
History
According to Wikipedia, Malene Birger founded By Malene Birger in 2003, working with IC Group, which collaborated on its founding. She graduated from the Danish Design School in 1989 and worked at Jackpot by Carli Gry and at Marc O'Polo in Stockholm before founding her own labels. In 2010 she sold her share of the brand to IC Group, and in January 2014 she left her creative director role. She now runs the interior design company Birger1962. A trade report from the period states the brand launched in Copenhagen in 2004, opened its first flagship in 2006 and was then sold in more than 1,000 stores across 42 countries.
Products and positioning
The brand's website lists outerwear, blazers, shirts, knitwear, tops, dresses, trousers, skirts, shorts, denim, swimwear and athleisure, and accessories including bags, shoes, scarves, hats, gloves, belts and wallets. It also sells small gifts.
Ownership
The brand was described as wholly owned by IC Group after 2010. Its website lists a company named By Malene Birger A/S, a Danish company form. Current ownership could not be verified from the sources reviewed and is therefore not stated.
Why it matters
By Malene Birger illustrates how a designer-named brand can continue after its founder's departure, with the founder moving into interiors while the label stays in the international contemporary market.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns By Malene Birger?
IC Group wholly owned the brand after founder Malene Birger sold her share in 2010, according to trade and Wikipedia sources. Current ownership could not be verified.
Is Malene Birger still involved in the brand?
No. She left her creative director role at By Malene Birger in January 2014 and now runs the interior design company Birger1962.