September 14, 2026

OLYMP: 75 years of fashion expertise from Baden-Württemberg

OLYMP Bezner KG in Bietigheim-Bissingen (Ludwigsburg district, Baden-Württemberg, Germany) is marking its 75th anniversary in 2026. What began in a laundry room in Bietigheim, Swabia, with the production of its first shirts has now grown into an internationally recognised fashion brand. With smart menswear – that comprises not only shirts but also jumpers, polo shirts, T-shirts, trousers, jackets and accessories – OLYMP is consistently evolving from its origins as a shirt specialist into a comprehensive lifestyle brand.

OLYMP was founded in 1951. With just a handful of employees, the textile entrepreneur Eugen Bezner began producing men’s shirts, which were initially made from existing military fabrics or finer parachute silk. Eugen Bezner’s aim – to craft a unique men’s shirt of outstanding quality and workmanship – led him to choose the memorable brand name “OLYMP”. Inspired by the Greek mountain range Mount Olympus (in German: "Olymp"), which in mythology is regarded as the home of the gods, OLYMP symbolised his ambition from the very beginning to occupy a leading position in the shirt market.

Due to the sudden death of Eugen Bezner in 1960, his son Eberhard (born in 1935), was placed in charge of the medium-sized company at the age of just 24. Under Eberhard Bezner, the company continued to expand, providing the impetus for the successful growth of the OLYMP brand in the following decades. In 1990, Mark Bezner (born in 1963) joined the company; he now runs the fashion business as owner and CEO, representing the third generation of his family to do so. Under his leadership, OLYMP has been modernised with strategic foresight: its product range has been expanded in a targeted manner, its internationalisation further advanced, and its brand communications made significantly more visible.

Mark Bezner says: “It fills me with a huge amount of gratitude and pride to see what has been achieved over 75 years in an industry that will always remain challenging. I am deeply grateful to my grandfather and my father for what they have built up. Together with a fantastic OLYMP team, reliable retail and business partners, long-standing manufacturers and suppliers, and many loyal fans of the brand, we have successfully been able to grow the business further. This makes me feel all the more committed to managing this valuable family legacy soundly and responsibly, and to one day hand it over to the next generation in a stronger state than when I took it over.”

Today, OLYMP is not only the market leader for shirts in Germany, but also one of Europe’s leading shirt brands, with a market presence in over 40 countries. Its most important markets include Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and France. Its export quota is around 35 per cent. Since 2022, OLYMP has been collaborating with professional yachtsman and climate activist Boris Herrmann (Team Malizia) as part of its corporate responsibility. Since 2025, the company’s high-profile brand ambassador has been Oscar winner, bestselling author and international film star Matthew McConaughey (“The Jury”, “Dallas Buyers Club”, “Interstellar”).

CONTACT: Marc Fritz | +49 7142 592-170 | [email protected] | www.olymp.com