50 YEARS OF MARC CAIN
A FASCINATING JOURNEY THROUGH TIME AND STYLE.
The Marc Cain success story begins in 1973 in the Italian town of Carpi. At the time, the small town in the Emilia-Romagna region was primarily known for its excellent knitwear. A self-made atmosphere reigned in Carpi, with small workshops and studios producing international fashion that was popular not only in Europe, but all over the world. In this inspiring place, Helmut Schlotterer realises his visions and founds his own fashion knitwear brand – Marc Cain.

The Marc Cain success story begins in 1973 in the Italian town of Carpi. At the time, the small town in the Emilia-Romagna region was primarily known for its excellent knitwear. A self-made atmosphere reigned in Carpi, with small workshops and studios producing international fashion that was popular not only in Europe, but all over the world. In this inspiring place, Helmut Schlotterer realises his visions and founds his own fashion knitwear brand – Marc Cain.
In 1976, his father's knitwear factory in the Swabian town of Bodelshausen is going from bad to worse, thereby prompting Helmut Schlotterer to decide to leave Italy and return home. Supporting his father is important to him, so from then on, the factory was fully utilised with orders for Marc Cain. This approach quickly pays off and the company becomes successful.
In 1976, his father's knitwear factory in the Swabian town of Bodelshausen is going from bad to worse, thereby prompting Helmut Schlotterer to decide to leave Italy and return home. Supporting his father is important to him, so from then on, the factory was fully utilised with orders for Marc Cain. This approach quickly pays off and the company becomes successful.

1981 – MARC CAIN COLLECTIONS
The core label Marc Cain Collections is launched in 1981. Today, the label defines itself as a mix of contemporary, attractive silhouettes and playful details that characterise an expressive, feminine look and combine elegance and self-confidence. The focus is on luxurious, high-quality materials, strong patterns and bold colours.
Always a little different and yet always themselves. Even in the 80s, the looks stood for self-confidence and independence.

1981 – MARC CAIN COLLECTIONS
The core label Marc Cain Collections is launched in 1981. Today, the label defines itself as a mix of contemporary, attractive silhouettes and playful details that characterise an expressive, feminine look and combine elegance and self-confidence. The focus is on luxurious, high-quality materials, strong patterns and bold colours.
Always a little different and yet always themselves. Even in the 80s, the looks stood for self-confidence and independence.
Helmut Schlotterer wants to show the Collection in a contemporary environment, so Marc Cain Collection is the first fashion company to open a year-round showroom on Kaiserswerther Strasse in Düsseldorf. The Showroom becomes so successful that more and more fashion labels follow his example and Kaiserswerther Straße eventually becomes Showroom Strasse.
Helmut Schlotterer wants to show the Collection in a contemporary environment, so Marc Cain Collection is the first fashion company to open a year-round showroom on Kaiserswerther Strasse in Düsseldorf. The Showroom becomes so successful that more and more fashion labels follow his example and Kaiserswerther Straße eventually becomes Showroom Strasse.

1984-1988 MEN'S FASHION
From 1984, a men's Collection is produced alongside the women's Collection. However, after four years, it is clear that Marc Cain would rather focus its full attention and passion on the success and further development of the extensive women's Collection.

1984-1988 MEN'S FASHION
From 1984, a men's Collection is produced alongside the women's Collection. However, after four years, it is clear that Marc Cain would rather focus its full attention and passion on the success and further development of the extensive women's Collection.
In order to implement his vision of fashion staging and to really drive forward the internationalisation of the brand, Helmut Schlotterer has the idea of opening his own Marc Cain Stores. The first own Marc Cain Store is finally opened in Mainz, combining the themes of fashion and brand.
In order to implement his vision of fashion staging and to really drive forward the internationalisation of the brand, Helmut Schlotterer has the idea of opening his own Marc Cain Stores. The first own Marc Cain Store is finally opened in Mainz, combining the themes of fashion and brand.

1988 – THE HEADQUARTERS IN BRUNNENSTRASSE
The original headquarters followed the fashion of the time: exposed aggregate concrete meets Cyclam window frames. The building has a floor area of 1100 square metres and a total area of 4100 square metres. It houses the production, HR, IT, sales and management departments.

1988 – THE HEADQUARTERS IN BRUNNENSTRASSE
The original headquarters followed the fashion of the time: exposed aggregate concrete meets Cyclam window frames. The building has a floor area of 1100 square metres and a total area of 4100 square metres. It houses the production, HR, IT, sales and management departments.
In the 90s, the Marc Cain signature continues to develop. The courage to dare to try new things combined with a penchant for colour allows the Marc Cain fan base to grow continuously. The conviction to play with fashion in looks inspires more and more customers - and is the beginning of the Coordinates idea: Marc Cain understands Coordinates to mean not only the perfectly coordinated outfit, but above all the subtle clash of seemingly different individual pieces. Contradictions that come together and still create a picture. The resulting tension redefines the term ‘look’ - as the Marc Cain look.

1990-1997 THE COLLECTION IS THE STAR
In the 90s, the Marc Cain signature continues to develop. The courage to dare to try new things combined with a penchant for colour allows the Marc Cain fan base to grow continuously. The conviction to play with fashion in looks inspires more and more customers - and is the beginning of the Coordinates idea: Marc Cain understands Coordinates to mean not only the perfectly coordinated outfit, but above all the subtle clash of seemingly different individual pieces. Contradictions that come together and still create a picture. The resulting tension redefines the term ‘look’ - as the Marc Cain look.

1997 – THE ERA OF THE SUPERMODELS
Top models such as Nadja Auermann and Linda Evangelista influence the international fashion industry for more than a decade, their faces adorning numerous magazines. They appear on the catwalk for many well-known designers. With their charisma, they also characterise the Marc Cain campaign shoots and give the Collections an unforgettable touch.

1997 – THE ERA OF THE SUPERMODELS
Top models such as Nadja Auermann and Linda Evangelista influence the international fashion industry for more than a decade, their faces adorning numerous magazines. They appear on the catwalk for many well-known designers. With their charisma, they also characterise the Marc Cain campaign shoots and give the Collections an unforgettable touch.

1998 – THE INJEKT PRINTING METHOD
Marc Cain develops its own inkjet printing process as far back as 1998. The intention is to create a product image that the competition did not yet have. At the time, the traditional screen printing or rotary printing process is commonly used. With the new, unique printing process, it is possible not only to print on a wide variety of materials such as alpaca, wool, viscose, cotton, etc., but also to reproduce different fits such as fully fashioned or 3D knit. The process has been continuously developed since then and has currently reached the 4th generation of development. With the new generation of print heads, the CMYK colour space can be expanded to 10 colours. At the same time, an increase in printing speed is possible. This leads to an increase in production efficiency of 260 per cent.

1998 – THE INJEKT PRINTING METHOD
Marc Cain develops its own inkjet printing process as far back as 1998. The intention is to create a product image that the competition did not yet have. At the time, the traditional screen printing or rotary printing process is commonly used. With the new, unique printing process, it is possible not only to print on a wide variety of materials such as alpaca, wool, viscose, cotton, etc., but also to reproduce different fits such as fully fashioned or 3D knit. The process has been continuously developed since then and has currently reached the 4th generation of development. With the new generation of print heads, the CMYK colour space can be expanded to 10 colours. At the same time, an increase in printing speed is possible. This leads to an increase in production efficiency of 260 per cent.
With the casual trend in the mid-90s, more and more international fashion brands launch second lines. Marc Cain also launches Marc Cain Sports in 1999 and interpreted the casual and leisurewear segment with its typical signature: trendy, sporty and full of joie de vivre.

1999 – MARC CAIN SPORTS
With the casual trend in the mid-90s, more and more international fashion brands launch second lines. Marc Cain also launches Marc Cain Sports in 1999 and interpreted the casual and leisurewear segment with its typical signature: trendy, sporty and full of joie de vivre.

2004-2009 – MC FERRARI: THE MARC CAIN RACING TEAM
Between 2004 and 2009, Marc Cain is also active in sports sponsorship and starts in 2004 with its own racing team at the 12th Ferrari Challenge Europe. Helmut Schlotterer is also an active member of the Marc Cain Racing Team. In 2006, the young Austrian talent Philipp Baron drives for Marc Cain. Two years later, he won the Trofeo Pirelli, the Ferrari Challenge world championship title, at the race in Mogello.
Helmut Schlotterer was recognised early on as a promoter of women and an unconventional decision-maker. The first female drivers in his racing team are Maria de Villota, daughter of Spanish racing legend Emilio de Villota and Tamara Vidali. For many male competitors, this is a novelty that they find difficult to get used to.

2004-2009 – MC FERRARI: THE MARC CAIN RACING TEAM
Between 2004 and 2009, Marc Cain is also active in sports sponsorship and starts in 2004 with its own racing team at the 12th Ferrari Challenge Europe. Helmut Schlotterer is also an active member of the Marc Cain Racing Team. In 2006, the young Austrian talent Philipp Baron drives for Marc Cain. Two years later, he won the Trofeo Pirelli, the Ferrari Challenge world championship title, at the race in Mogello.
Helmut Schlotterer was recognised early on as a promoter of women and an unconventional decision-maker. The first female drivers in his racing team are Maria de Villota, daughter of Spanish racing legend Emilio de Villota and Tamara Vidali. For many male competitors, this is a novelty that they find difficult to get used to.
Clear lines, purist-looking materials and architectural lightness characterise the room design. Steel, aluminium and white acrylic glass dominate; a light grey, metallic silver and a light mint green, which provides visual freshness, determine the light colour scheme. Furniture and product displays set emphatically sparse accents and, like the stringent design language of the architecture, give the eye-catching Marc Cain fashion the leading role.

2005 – THE STORE CONCEPT
Clear lines, purist-looking materials and architectural lightness characterise the room design. Steel, aluminium and white acrylic glass dominate; a light grey, metallic silver and a light mint green, which provides visual freshness, determine the light colour scheme. Furniture and product displays set emphatically sparse accents and, like the stringent design language of the architecture, give the eye-catching Marc Cain fashion the leading role.

2007 – MARC CAIN EYEWEAR
Marc Cain has been producing eyewear since 2007. Together with a licence partner, prescription glasses and sunglasses are developed that are based on the look of the Collections.

2007 – MARC CAIN EYEWEAR
Marc Cain has been producing eyewear since 2007. Together with a licence partner, prescription glasses and sunglasses are developed that are based on the look of the Collections.
The new factory outlet does not have the usual factory outlet character, but is a new building of over 700 square metres in ultra-modern architecture. The exclusive presentation of the Marc Cain Collections reflects the image of the brand, embedded in a feel-good ambience. The high-quality interior design creates the appropriate setting, with white high-gloss furniture and materials such as stainless steel, elegant brown leather and a grey deep-pile carpet.

2008 – START OF CAIN CITY
The new factory outlet does not have the usual factory outlet character, but is a new building of over 700 square metres in ultra-modern architecture. The exclusive presentation of the Marc Cain Collections reflects the image of the brand, embedded in a feel-good ambience. The high-quality interior design creates the appropriate setting, with white high-gloss furniture and materials such as stainless steel, elegant brown leather and a grey deep-pile carpet.
The Marc Cain Online Shop is founded in 2011 with the aim of offering customers a special shopping experience 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal support and advice also play a key role. Customer Service takes care of all enquiries made by email or telephone. In 2024, Marc Cain expands its web shop to nine more countries. Since then, customers in Bulgaria, Denmark, Greece, Croatia, Luxembourg, Norway, Romania, Sweden and the USA have also been able to purchase the exclusive Collections online. We deliver to a total of 29 countries worldwide.
The Marc Cain Online Shop is founded in 2011 with the aim of offering customers a special shopping experience 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal support and advice also play a key role. Customer Service takes care of all enquiries made by email or telephone. In 2024, Marc Cain expands its web shop to nine more countries. Since then, customers in Bulgaria, Denmark, Greece, Croatia, Luxembourg, Norway, Romania, Sweden and the USA have also been able to purchase the exclusive Collections online. We deliver to a total of 29 countries worldwide.

2012 – MARC CAIN ESSENTIALS
The label interprets trendy classics - with simple lines, minimalist colours and high-quality materials. The items are not subject to short-lived trends, but impress with their longevity and elegant, casual and uncomplicated look.

2012 – MARC CAIN ESSENTIALS
The label interprets trendy classics - with simple lines, minimalist colours and high-quality materials. The items are not subject to short-lived trends, but impress with their longevity and elegant, casual and uncomplicated look.

2013 – LAUNCH OF THE NEW STORE DESIGN
In the 2000s, Marc Cain expands with its own Stores and develops into a fashion brand with international recognition. Over the years, the design concepts for the Stores have been continuously developed to allow the wishes of the customers and the respective zeitgeist to flow in. However, one thing has always remained the same: the requirement for every design object to create an aesthetic overall picture. Each design concept is thereby flexible, so that it can be adapted to all needs and architectural conditions.

2013 – LAUNCH OF THE NEW STORE DESIGN
In the 2000s, Marc Cain expands with its own Stores and develops into a fashion brand with international recognition. Over the years, the design concepts for the Stores have been continuously developed to allow the wishes of the customers and the respective zeitgeist to flow in. However, one thing has always remained the same: the requirement for every design object to create an aesthetic overall picture. Each design concept is thereby flexible, so that it can be adapted to all needs and architectural conditions.
Marc Cain conquers the TV world with 6-second GIFs, which are shown in two consecutive adverts. The response to these unusual clips is overwhelmingly positive. The brand awareness is expanded through the continuous roll-out until 2019.
Marc Cain conquers the TV world with 6-second GIFs, which are shown in two consecutive adverts. The response to these unusual clips is overwhelmingly positive. The brand awareness is expanded through the continuous roll-out until 2019.

2014 – MARC CAIN ADDITIONS
Marc Cain Additions expands its expertise in individual items. Detached from the Collection themes of the Marc Cain Collections and Marc Cain Sports labels, fashion trends from key product ranges such as outdoor, dresses, T-shirts, blouses, pants, etc. will be offered. For the Fall/Winter 2022 Season, the concept is expanded with the introduction of ‘Premium Knit’, which focuses on high-quality knitwear and further strengthens the diversity of Additions.

2014 – MARC CAIN ADDITIONS
Marc Cain Additions expands its expertise in individual items. Detached from the Collection themes of the Marc Cain Collections and Marc Cain Sports labels, fashion trends from key product ranges such as outdoor, dresses, T-shirts, blouses, pants, etc. will be offered. For the Fall/Winter 2022 Season, the concept is expanded with the introduction of ‘Premium Knit’, which focuses on high-quality knitwear and further strengthens the diversity of Additions.

2015 – MARC CAIN BAGS & SHOES
With Marc Cain Bags & Shoes, the premium label offers shoe and bag retailers a wide range of products. The independent design with an individual design language and great attention to detail is significant. The bags and shoes are characterised by exclusive materials, the best wearing comfort, high functionality and perfect workmanship. Since the Fall/Winter 2024 Season, the bags and shoes have been integrated into the themes of the other labels in order to harmoniously complement the Collections.

2015 – MARC CAIN BAGS & SHOES
With Marc Cain Bags & Shoes, the premium label offers shoe and bag retailers a wide range of products. The independent design with an individual design language and great attention to detail is significant. The bags and shoes are characterised by exclusive materials, the best wearing comfort, high functionality and perfect workmanship. Since the Fall/Winter 2024 Season, the bags and shoes have been integrated into the themes of the other labels in order to harmoniously complement the Collections.
Marc Cain is aware of its responsibility towards people, animals and the environment. The fashion company therefore introduces the ‘Rethink Together’ sustainability label for the Spring/Summer 2021 Season. The label is another important step towards greater transparency for customers along the entire value chain.

2024 – MARC CAIN GLAM
The new label is launched for the Fall/Winter 2024 Season, combining elegance, style and beauty with a touch of luxury. The looks are allowed to be worn from morning to night and bring glitz and glamour to any lifestyle. Brilliant colours, sumptuous prints and elegant fabrics create an atmosphere of value. The silhouettes are feminine and emphasise the female figure, while opulent details such as glittering sequins embellish the styles.

2024 – MARC CAIN GLAM
The new label is launched for the Fall/Winter 2024 Season, combining elegance, style and beauty with a touch of luxury. The looks are allowed to be worn from morning to night and bring glitz and glamour to any lifestyle. Brilliant colours, sumptuous prints and elegant fabrics create an atmosphere of value. The silhouettes are feminine and emphasise the female figure, while opulent details such as glittering sequins embellish the styles.

2024 – THE FIRST AI CAMPAIGN
For the Fall/Winter 2024 Season, Marc Cain presents a campaign that combines creativity and technology. With the help of an AI program, colourful fields of flowers and items are created digitally, while the clothing comes from the real Marc Cain Collections and is photographed in the studio. The result: a campaign that visualises the motto ‘Blend Boundaries’ and allows the boundaries between reality and virtuality to blur.

2024 – THE FIRST AI CAMPAIGN
For the Fall/Winter 2024 Season, Marc Cain presents a campaign that combines creativity and technology. With the help of an AI program, colourful fields of flowers and items are created digitally, while the clothing comes from the real Marc Cain Collections and is photographed in the studio. The result: a campaign that visualises the motto ‘Blend Boundaries’ and allows the boundaries between reality and virtuality to blur.
Photo 1: Archiv; Photo 2: © Petersen, Jörg | Wegener, Simon; Photo 3: © Petersen, Jörg; Photo 4: Archiv; Photos 5/6: © Hansen, Beate | Siebmann, Axel; Photo 7: © Franke, Klaus | Hansen, Beate; Photo 8: Archiv; Photo 9: © Hansen, Beate |Siebmann, Axel; Photo 10: Archiv; Photo 11: Archiv; Photo 12: © Hoppe, Christian; Photo 13: © Starke, Oliver; Photo 14: © Starke, Oliver; Photo 15: Archiv; Photo 16: Archiv; Photo 17: © Starke, Oliver; Photo 18: Archiv; Photo 19: © Hoppe, Christian; Photo 20: Archiv; Photo 21: Archiv; Photo 22: Archiv; Photo 23: © Hoppe, Christian; Photo 24: © Hoppe, Christian; Photos 25-27: © Hoppe, Christian