It all began in 1880, in the town of Hameln on the river Weser, Johann Popken founded the Popken Textile company. Decades later in 1960, his son Karl Friedrich Popken, suffering from ill-health was forced to lease the company out on a long-term basis. His son and successor, Friedrich Popken, was only 20 at the time. By 1968, Friedrich Popken, now happily married and father to a young daughter, had opened his first store in Oldenburg called “Mami & Baby” with his wife Ursula, specialising in maternity and baby wear.
Friedrich Popken had watched an employee pack more than 15 maternity items to be sent to a mail order customer. This led him to ask the employee why a pregnant woman would order so many items. The answer was unexpected
“ This customer isn’t pregnant. She orders regularly and has written to us explaining that she can’t find young fashion in a size 22, the size she needs. She orders from us because our maternity fashion is not only young, but also comfortable.” A niche in the market for “young fashion in plus sizes” was discovered and, in 1986, extensive and carefully planned tests were carried out over the mail order channel.
The results exceeded all expectations, and the company “Ulla Popken,Young Fashion Starting at size 16” was registered on the 1st of March 1987.
At Ulla Popken , every women can find the fashion which suits her – and that has been the case for the last 20 years.
