Seidensticker

Seidensticker is a German shirt and blouse specialist founded in Bielefeld in 1919. The family owned group is led by chief executive Silvia Bentzinger, who acquired a 20 percent stake in 2026, and it remains one of the best known shirt brands in Germany.

What is Seidensticker?

Seidensticker is a shirt and blouse brand from Bielefeld in East Westphalia, Germany. The company has specialised in shirts for more than a century and is among the most widely recognised shirt labels in German speaking retail. It sells shirts in fits from X Slim to Comfort, together with blouses, dresses, knitwear, trousers, nightwear and accessories.

History

The company was founded in 1919 and remains a family business. Ahead of its centenary, it commissioned the historian Roman Köster to research its history, and Frank Seidensticker, the founder's grandson, has spoken publicly about how the company deals with its Nazi era past. Oliver Seidensticker served for 14 years as president of the industry association German Fashion.

Ownership and leadership

Silvia Bentzinger, who joined in 2008 and has led the brand since 2020, is chief executive. In 2026 she acquired a 20 percent stake, becoming a co-shareholder alongside the family, after the company had engaged an M&A adviser to look for a strategic investor.

Products and positioning

• Business and casual shirts for men in multiple fits
• Blouses and womenswear
• The premium menswear line 1919, launched in 2026
• The Shirt Club, a membership offer in its online shop

Business model and distribution

Seidensticker has long sold through department stores and fashion retailers. In December 2024 it announced that from autumn and winter 2025 its womenswear would be sold only through its own channels. In 2026 it reversed course, announcing a return to wholesale for womenswear with an adapted collection and a more selective approach to retail partners. The company also operates its own online shop and outlet stores and is exploring expansion in the United States.

Why it matters

Seidensticker's shifting channel strategy for womenswear illustrates the trade offs German brands face between direct to consumer control and the reach of wholesale. Together with Olymp's takeover of Eterna, it is central to how the German shirt market is restructuring.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns Seidensticker?

Seidensticker is a family owned company from Bielefeld. In 2026 its chief executive Silvia Bentzinger acquired a 20 percent stake and became a co-shareholder.

When was Seidensticker founded?

Seidensticker was founded in 1919 in Bielefeld, Germany. Its premium line 1919, launched in 2026, refers to that founding year.

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