THE HISTORY OF SKAGEN DESIGNS

 

Timing is everything: Event Milestones

 

1989 -- Charlotte Jorst moves to New York from her native Denmark to join Henrik Jorst who was working for Carlsberg Beer; After a Danish colleague sends them a few sample watches to sell, the Jorsts embark on their dream of starting their own business.  They marry in May.

 

1991 -- The Jorsts bring a few sample corporate watches to the New York Premium and Incentive Show.  Retailers respond with enthusiasm and even encourage the Jorsts to design the watches without a corporate logo, to sell the watches in stores. This Summer, 200 pieces of each of these suggested styles were placed into production for the Skagen Denmark collection, and by Fall they were all sold out.

 

1993 -- After running the business out of their home in Long Island, the Jorsts decide to relocate themselves and the business to beautiful Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

 

1995 -- Bloomingdales becomes the first major department store to pick up the Skagen line, and shortly thereafter, other top department stores followed suit with much success.

 

1997 -- European distribution of Skagen Denmark begins.

 

1999 -- Skagen Designs is named to the Inc. 500 as one of the fastest growing small businesses in the United States.

 

2000 -- Skagen Designs wins the prestigious Blue Chip Enterprise Award give by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Mass Mutual Financial Group to companies that have overcome significant obstacles to succeed in business.

 

2003 -- Continued success and growth of Skagen Designs requires US headquarter relocation to a 40% larger facility in Reno, Nevada, where the company resides presently.

2005 -- Skagen opens New York City Showroom on 5th Avenue.  The Danish-designed, 2,700 sq ft showroom is a reflection of the artistic and picturesque resort town of Skagen, Denmark. 

 

2007 -- Skagen Designs launches the world’s first-ever Skagen Denmark Concept Store in Skagen, Denmark.  Skagen Denmark launches a stainless steel, contemporary and organic line of jewelry.

 

2007 -- Fall – Skagen Designs launches the Skagen Swiss Collection of Watches, the first Skagen Denmark watches to feature Swiss movement.

 

2008 -- The Skagen Denmark Sport line is expanded and launched at the Basel World Watch and Jewelry Show in Switzerland.

2009 -- Skagen Designs to celebrate its 20th Anniversary!