Sljeme (company)

Sljeme
Industry Apparels, accessories
Founded 1921
Founder Samuel Gati
Area served
 Europe
Products High-fashion trunks, car trunks, bags, gloves and accessory manufacture and retail

“Sljeme” was the largest trunk making company in Croatia and Royal Warrant holder of Yugoslavian court. Based in Zagreb, during half a century existence, it worked under three different countries.


History

Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1921-41)

Sljeme was established in 1921 by Samuel Gati in Zagreb. Their first atelier was opened in Zagreb, Medulićeva Street 12. In that time Gati was Austro-Hungarian malletier master with over two decades of experience. Production of top quality high-fashion trunks, car trunks, bags, gloves and accessory started. Sljeme soon became famous for its excellent craftsmanship. They started exporting throughout Europe and took part in numerous exhibitions like 1937 Paris Exhibition. New store was opened in Ilica Street 26, Zagreb busiest street. Expansion continues and second atelier was opened in the heart of Belgrade, Poenkarova Street 2. It soon grabbed attention of royal family and since 1928 Princess Olga of Greece and Denmark became regular customer. In 1930 Sljeme became Royal Warrant Holder of the Yugoslav court. In the beginning of World War II, new store was opened in Zagreb main square, Ban Jelačić Square 1.

Independent State of Croatia (1941-45)

There is no data for this period.

Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1945-91)

After World War II communists came to power in Croatia. Private companies were nationalized and Sljeme was no exception. As luxury manufacturer for bourgeois and Royal family purveyor it was completely politically incorrect. By the end of 60-es, Sljeme was merged with leather factory in Zagreb and was discontinued as brand.

Republic of Croatia (since 1991)

Sljeme was reborn in 2012.


Samuel Gati

Samuel Gati, Sljeme founder, was Austro-Hungarian Jew born in 1887 in Szigetvár. After malletier training in Budapest he moved to Pécs in 1915 and founded a trunk making company. He got married with Jelena Sečan from Nagykanizsa and their daughter Magdalena Gati was born in 1917. After World War I, and maybe due to White Terror (Hungary), family moved in 1920 to Zagreb. Following year Samuel Gati continued his malletier business with newly founded company Sljeme. When World War II started and Independent State of Croatia was formed, Jews were persecuted by Anti-Semitic legislation (The Holocaust in Croatia). Samuel Gati was not exception. He was arrested and detained first at Crikvenica and Kraljevica, later to be moved to Rab concentration camp, all under Fascist Italy rule. Later, perhaps after capitulation of Kingdom of Italy in 1943, Gati was transferred to Birkenau concentration camp under Nazi Germany control where he was murdered in gas chamber during 1944.


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