A century of the finest lingerie Karl Conzelmann

a century of the fineSt lingerie

Through a hundred years of constant change and innovation in the lingerie business, Karl Conzelmann remains a proud family business that is known throughout Europe for the style and quality of its lingerie ranges.

In 2020, Karl Conzelmann GmbH & Co. KG, the German producer of quality lingerie, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Known internationally for its flagship brand Nina von C, Karl Conzelmann is a traditional family company that has been designing and producing the finest lingerie in the Swabian town of Albstadt since it was founded in 1920. Today its production facilities also include factories in Portugal and Romania. In addition to Nina von C., the brand portfolio also includes the young brand “Like it!”, which was launched with instant success in 2013.

Now run by the third generation of its original family owners, the company’s 130 employees produce four collections each year for Nina von C, inspired by the latest fashions displayed at international trade fairs and fashion magazines.

The Nina von C brand today stands for contemporary femininity caught in high quality, fashionable and romantic lingerie, and loungewear. It features skin friendly materials, mostly made of natural fibres, accented with exclusive laces and intricate embroideries. Its delicately finished bras, pants and camisoles are available in in all European sizing at affordable prices. It also offers cosy and seductive lounge wear made of the most comfortable materials for day and night use.

A complete range

Design, material, and function go hand in hand with Nina von C. underwear. Its designers create contemporary underwear for active and self-confident women and attach great importance to the material used. Natural fibres such as pure and organic cotton in the best quality or skin-friendly microfibres are used to create underwear that is breathable, climate-regulating and moisture-absorbing.

Briefs are one of the basic items in any woman’s underwear drawer. The Nina von C range includes trendy hipster and jazz pants, comfortable midi and hip briefs as well as waist briefs, short mini briefs, and thongs. With all models the customer can choose between simple, elegant, and sensual variants in several colours. Many of the briefs can be combined with the matching bras.

The bra too plays an important role in the Nina von C. underwear range. There are bras with a push-up effect, underwire bras, and cup bras as well as soft bras, bustiers and bra shirts.

Nina von C loungewear fashion prioritises comfort and freedom of movement with comfortable long pants and shirts in great qualities and designs. .

Epitomising the fun side of lingerie, the “Like it!” range, a product mix based on super comfortable pants combined with shirts, lounge wear and soft bras, has been a stunning success in Germany and other European countries since its launch seven years ago. Made for modern women, who love fashion and colours, in extremely soft and skin-friendly materials, “Like It!” offers an ever-changing possibility of mix and match for every woman, for every day and every occasion.

Fabric production at Albstadt

Knitting is at the “heart” of Karl Conzelmann’s business. 85 of the fabrics it processes are knitted by the company itself in its Albstadt factory. Many of the fabrics are its own creations. The main focus is always on the quality and sustainability of the yarns, so the operation mainly uses European products and, in the case of cotton, only yarns with organic seals.

The cutting of the fabrics is fully automatic, attaching particular importance to accuracy and low material waste. The most innovative technology meets traditional craftsmanship throughout the production process.

Since 1991 the company has been sending cut products to its subsidiary in Portugal, Viviana LTD, for packaging and set-up. Located in Cernache do Bon Jardim, a small town near the city of Serta, this facility ensures efficient production conditions, good infrastructure and high quality standards.

In Portugal, as in Germany, production is carried out using the latest technology and machinery and sophisticated methodological training.

A major expansion of the company’s operations took place in the 2000s. A second factory in Romania was opened, a new CNC cutting system for tubular and wide goods was installed and loungewear was added to the range. Market penetration of the Nina von C. brand was greatly enhanced with the opening of shops and flagship areas in department stores and extensive advertising campaigns.

In 2019, the production and logistics area at Albstadt was expanded by some 2,600 square metres.

environmental pioneers

Karl Conzelmann attaches great importance to sustainable thinking and marketing in order to protect resources for future generations. As early as the 1970s, the company was ahead of current environmental awareness with a switch from chloride to hydrogen peroxide bleaching.

As a family business, it is happy to take responsibility for its staff, many of whom have been honoured for their long-term loyalty. The company is proud of its Albstadt location, at the centre of the Swabian knitting industry, and is determined to secure it. Therefore, sustainability is a key tradition for Nina von C. Responsible consumption and sustainability are central to the company’s operations.