p. 5
Our story
p. 10
Our product
p. 15
Our yarns
p. 17
Biella
Contents
p. 22
How we produce our knitwear
p. 24
In-house specialists
p. 27
Quality assurance
p. 28
Contact information
The Clipper story begins in 1955 in Herning, Denmark, when the passionate entrepreneur Bernhardt Sørensen founded Bernhardt Sørensen A/S, later to become the house of Clipper. Clipper became part of the extensive industrial development in the area around Herning. Bernhardt started out by using highly specialised knitting mills located in small, local factories. A business model we still use with partners around the world carefully selected for their specialised knowledge and technical skills. In 1982, the house of Clipper opened a factory in Herning and kept the production there until 1998. We still have our own factory, but today it is located in Latvia.
Bernhardt Sørensen’s passion for the finest quality and craftsmanship as well as his ability to spot the latest trends in materials - knitwear in particular - is our foundation at the house of Clipper until this day. We are proud of our long history and our ability to move with the times upholding both our traditions and our craftsmanship. Many things have changed since 1955, but our core skills are still the development, production and distribution of classic quality knitwear. In 2015, the house of Clipper merged with Belika. Belika was founded in 1933 in Ikast, and the house of Clipper and Belika have more than 140 years of experience combined. Today, the house of Clipper is owned by Helle Wagner, third generation of a textile trading family. She, too, has a passion for classic craftsmanship and high quality. And her dream is to make Clipper known to a wider international and quality conscious audience.
We are proud of our long history
Timeline
1933
The O. Vestergaard-Poulsen
knitwear factory is founded (later Belika A/S)
1955
Bernhardt Sørensen A/S is founded (later the house of Clipper)
1975
Clipper starts exporting. The first markets are Sweden and Germany
1948
Belika starts exporting. The first markets are Norway and Sweden
1965
The brand name Belika is registered
1992
Belika starts production in Poland
2012
Helle Wagner assumes ownership of the house of Clipper. Membership of the UN Global Compact
1981
The brand name Clipper is registered
Clipper starts production in Latvia
2015
The house of Clipper merges with Belika A/S
At Clipper we create the building blocks of a modern wardrobe based on the philosophy that trends expire, but style endures. Our craft unites tradition and modern style and will upgrade any outfit. We create eternal classics like v-necks, o-necks and cardigans made of 100% merino wool in a range of classic colours that makes it hard to choose. We constantly add new, exciting key items to our collection, interpreting the classic gentleman style. We combine solid traditions and genuine craftsmanship with modern life through well-fitting designs that last. In short, the house of Clipper is the joy of feeling well dressed now and always.
We prefer to use pure yarns like 100% merino wool, because to us, pure yarns are a matter-of-course. We prefer yarns which are “mulesing free” as we believe that animals living a good life also produce more beautiful wool and because animal welfare is a natural part of our culture. We demand the highest quality possible. To meet this demand, a large part of our yarns have been developed especially for us.
At the foot of the Italian Alps, you will find the beautiful city of Biella, only an hour’s drive from Milan. With its winding streets, rustic architecture and magnificent surrounding nature, Biella most of all resembles a location from a 50s Fellini film. History is very much present at every turn, and the story of the Biella textile adventure goes back as far as the silk production in the 17th century and all through the 19th century, when Biella became the main centre of the world’s wool production. Biella is also home to our main suppliers who have supplied the house of Clipper with perfectly produced yarns for decades.
We handpick the best manufacturers – each with their speciality – from around the world for all parts of our production. For all processes – from raw materials, spinning, dyeing to knitwear production – we employ specialists. Most of our wool is from Australian sheep and is spun into yarn in Biella. We have our own knitting facility in Latvia, knitting our classic styles on original Stoll machines, adding an authentic handfeel to our knitwear.
Although our production takes place all over the world, we still have our hands full of yarn and knitwear in Denmark. We have our own workshop and department of quality assurance with a team of dedicated specialists, including several with knitting in their blood going back generations. Every day they ensure the fine craftsmanship and signature quality of the house of Clipper.
Before we give the green light to a product, it must undergo a multitude of quality assurance tests, such as washing tests for shrinkage and colour bleeding and tests for colour fastness and pilling. Only the qualities achieving the highest marks in all tests end up in the consumer’s wardrobe. One thing is to create a perfect piece of knitwear the first time, but it is quite another to get the same great result for the same product season after season. Our tireless efforts in quality assurance ensure that you can always rely on the Clipper quality.
Sustainability is at the top of our list of priorities for the future. Since 2012, the house of Clipper has worked strategically to comply with the ten principles of the UN Global Compact which, among other things, aim to improve both human and environmental conditions. It makes perfect sense for us to combine business acumen with these high standards and to make social responsibility one of our essential core values.
Clipper A/S
Nakskovvej 1
DK-7400 Herning
+45 96 26 32 00
clipper@clipper.dk
clipper.dk/home
First edition, first impression 2017
Editing and layout
Femmes Régionales
Photos by Michele Burgay, www.delta9.it Frederik Maj, www.studio1-2.dk
Typography
Times New Roman Paper
Rives Sensation Gloss Tactile, bright white and Scandia 2000 smooth white