JAKOB SCHLAEPFER
Portrait
Jakob Schlaepfer has been enriching the world with fabrics for more than 100 years.
Each collection starts with textile visions for fashion and architecture. The unique combination of meticulous handiwork and industrial production leads to a luxurious product that captivates with its exclusivity and beauty. The design team creates more than 1200 new fabrics every year – always with the aspiration to impress customers worldwide with innovative ideas and high-quality workmanship. The fabrics are conceived, tested and realised in St. Gallen. The in-house production and close cooperation with local partner firms enables Jakob Schlaepfer to work experimentally and to respond flexibly to the constant changes in fashion.
Originally an embroidery company, Jakob Schlaepfer has continually adapted technological developments for the company’s own purposes. Today, for instance, the firm uses laser cutting, digital printing and state-of-the-art embroidery machines. This has made the fabric processing options more comprehensive and multifaceted.
Jakob Schlaepfer’s fashion fabrics, interior fabrics and accessories are diverse, while remaining distinctive. The company is not bound to any one style. Instead, it is characterised by the combination of local culture and textile tradition with future-oriented design.
Jakob Schlaepfer is an inspiration to couturiers, architects and fabric enthusiasts all around the world.
1963
The firm relocates to Teufenerstrasse 11, St. Gallen.
Acquisition of Arnold Ochsner’s wo
1964
First haute couture collection for Paris and Rome.
1965
Industrial sequin embroidery production begins.
1966
Jakob Schlaepfer is converted into a joint stock company.
1968
Introduction of the first computers.
1975
Development of thermo-fixable paste gems in cooperation with Swarovski.
1978
The integrated IT organisation is set up.
1980
Jakob Schlaepfer SA is founded in Paris.
1983
Purchase of the world patent for a transfer application machine from Akira Kurihara.
1984
Jakob Schlaepfer Inc. is founded in New York.
1986
Development of one of the first graphics programs for digital design.
Jakob Schlaepfer Ltd. is founded in London.
Development of the Marvel printing technique.
Opening of the production plant in Los Angeles.
1988
Opening of the sales office in Osaka.
1989
Opening of the sales office in Munich.
1993
Launch of the first Jakob Schlaepfer interior collection, which is marketed in cooperation with Création Baumann.
Development of metal fabrics for fashion.
1995
The firm Jakob Schlaepfer is sold to von Meiss and Bolte.
Jakob Schlaepfer wins the following awards:
The Textile Designer Award from Cotton Incorporated, USA
1st Prize for International Textile Design, Stuttgart
Design Prize Switzerland for Special Merit
1st and 2nd Design Prize Switzerland
1996
Relocation to Fürstenlandstrasse 99, St.Gallen
1997
Sale of all Jakob Schlaepfer business operations, including foreign subsidiaries, to the textile group Filtex AG, St. Gallen. The firm Jakob Schlaepfer is maintained as an independent division.
1998
New company management consisting of the heads of the Creation, Sales and Production departments.
The laser section is set up and developed.
2001
The inkjet section is set up.
2004
Jakob Schlaepfer centenary: publication of the book ”Blendwerk”.
Exhibition “Bling Bling – dream fabrics from St. Gallen” at the Swiss National Museum in Zurich, using Jakob Schlaepfer as an example.
2006
Development of a laser unit for embroidery machines.
2008
Worldwide launch of the Jakob Schlaepfer interior collection for direct sales.
2009
Year of awards:
Red Dot Design Award: Best of the Best for “Phantom”
Highest Distinction for Design Quality for “Glinka”
Robb Report: Best of the Best in the Decor category Design Prize Switzerland in the Textile Design category for “Secret Garden”
Première Vision: Imagination Prize for “Korsakow”
2010
Adaptation of laser technology for engraving textiles.
2013
The 50th anniversary of sequin embroidery.
Jakob Schlaepfer wins the Design Prize Switzerland in the Textile Design Market category for the “Slow Light” collection.
Creative Director Martin Leuthold is presented with the Swiss Grand Prix of Design for his life’s work.
2016
Jakob Schlaepfer becomes part of the St. Gallen Forster Group. Creative Director Martin Leuthold and all the staff will carry on the long-established brand in the newly founded Jakob Schlaepfer Ltd.
Relocation to Flurhofstrasse 150, St.Gallen
2018
After the retirement of Martin Leuthold, the atelier is run as a collective.
2019
Winner of the PV Fabrics Imagination Prize 2019. For the boldest, most original, most amazing fabric in terms of decoration, technique, finishing, innovation or technology.
2020
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jakob Schlaepfer produces certified community masks with local partners.
2022
Sales, administration and atelier ofJakob Schlaepfer move into a new building at Flurhofstrasse 150.
Jakob Schlaepfer has been enriching the world with fabrics for more than 100 years.
Each collection starts with textile visions for fashion and architecture. The unique combination of meticulous handiwork and industrial production leads to a luxurious product that captivates with its exclusivity and beauty. The design team creates more than 1200 new fabrics every year – always with the aspiration to impress customers worldwide with innovative ideas and high-quality workmanship. The fabrics are conceived, tested and realised in St. Gallen. The in-house production and close cooperation with local partner firms enables Jakob Schlaepfer to work experimentally and to respond flexibly to the constant changes in fashion.
Originally an embroidery company, Jakob Schlaepfer has continually adapted technological developments for the company’s own purposes. Today, for instance, the firm uses laser cutting, digital printing and state-of-the-art embroidery machines. This has made the fabric processing options more comprehensive and multifaceted.
Jakob Schlaepfer’s fashion fabrics, interior fabrics and accessories are diverse, while remaining distinctive. The company is not bound to any one style. Instead, it is characterised by the combination of local culture and textile tradition with future-oriented design.
Jakob Schlaepfer is an inspiration to couturiers, architects and fabric enthusiasts all around the world.
1963
The firm relocates to Teufenerstrasse 11, St. Gallen.
Acquisition of Arnold Ochsner’s wo
1964
First haute couture collection for Paris and Rome.
1965
Industrial sequin embroidery production begins.
1966
Jakob Schlaepfer is converted into a joint stock company.
1968
Introduction of the first computers.
1975
Development of thermo-fixable paste gems in cooperation with Swarovski.
1978
The integrated IT organisation is set up.
1980
Jakob Schlaepfer SA is founded in Paris.
1983
Purchase of the world patent for a transfer application machine from Akira Kurihara.
1984
Jakob Schlaepfer Inc. is founded in New York.
1986
Development of one of the first graphics programs for digital design.
Jakob Schlaepfer Ltd. is founded in London.
Development of the Marvel printing technique.
Opening of the production plant in Los Angeles.
1988
Opening of the sales office in Osaka.
1989
Opening of the sales office in Munich.
1993
Launch of the first Jakob Schlaepfer interior collection, which is marketed in cooperation with Création Baumann.
Development of metal fabrics for fashion.
1995
The firm Jakob Schlaepfer is sold to von Meiss and Bolte.
Jakob Schlaepfer wins the following awards:
The Textile Designer Award from Cotton Incorporated, USA
1st Prize for International Textile Design, Stuttgart
Design Prize Switzerland for Special Merit
1st and 2nd Design Prize Switzerland
1996
Relocation to Fürstenlandstrasse 99, St.Gallen
1997
Sale of all Jakob Schlaepfer business operations, including foreign subsidiaries, to the textile group Filtex AG, St. Gallen. The firm Jakob Schlaepfer is maintained as an independent division.
1998
New company management consisting of the heads of the Creation, Sales and Production departments.
The laser section is set up and developed.
2001
The inkjet section is set up.
2004
Jakob Schlaepfer centenary: publication of the book ”Blendwerk”.
Exhibition “Bling Bling – dream fabrics from St. Gallen” at the Swiss National Museum in Zurich, using Jakob Schlaepfer as an example.
2006
Development of a laser unit for embroidery machines.
2008
Worldwide launch of the Jakob Schlaepfer interior collection for direct sales.
2009
Year of awards:
Red Dot Design Award: Best of the Best for “Phantom”
Highest Distinction for Design Quality for “Glinka”
Robb Report: Best of the Best in the Decor category Design Prize Switzerland in the Textile Design category for “Secret Garden”
Première Vision: Imagination Prize for “Korsakow”
2010
Adaptation of laser technology for engraving textiles.
2013
The 50th anniversary of sequin embroidery.
Jakob Schlaepfer wins the Design Prize Switzerland in the Textile Design Market category for the “Slow Light” collection.
Creative Director Martin Leuthold is presented with the Swiss Grand Prix of Design for his life’s work.
2016
Jakob Schlaepfer becomes part of the St. Gallen Forster Group. Creative Director Martin Leuthold and all the staff will carry on the long-established brand in the newly founded Jakob Schlaepfer Ltd.
Relocation to Flurhofstrasse 150, St.Gallen
2018
After the retirement of Martin Leuthold, the atelier is run as a collective.
2019
Winner of the PV Fabrics Imagination Prize 2019. For the boldest, most original, most amazing fabric in terms of decoration, technique, finishing, innovation or technology.
2020
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jakob Schlaepfer produces certified community masks with local partners.
2022
Sales, administration and atelier ofJakob Schlaepfer move into a new building at Flurhofstrasse 150.