Liberty Woman insolvency filing in self-administration, Digi Mart USA News (Lübbecke, Germany): Liberty Damenmoden GmbH, operator of the women’s fashion brand “Liberty Woman” headquartered in Lübbecke, has filed an application with the Bielefeld Local Court to open insolvency proceedings in self-administration. The court granted the application by order dated November 5, 2026, and ordered preliminary self-administration proceedings.
The company announced the filing on Thursday evening. Management will be supported and legally advised in the coming months by the law firm BBORS Kreuznacht Rechtsanwälte, which specializes in restructuring companies in crisis, with lawyer Frank Kreuznacht leading the work.
Attorney Hans-Joachim Berner, a partner at Kösterberner Sanierungsrecht, has been appointed as preliminary administrator.
Liberty Damenmoden GmbH employs about 600 people and operates a store network for women’s fashion under the private label “Liberty Woman.” As of July 2026, the network comprised 113 stores, including locations in Austria, as well as an online store.
According to the company, business operations will continue during the self-administration proceedings. The stores will remain open and the online shop will remain available to customers.
Cooperation with suppliers and the employment of staff will also continue within the framework of legal and procedural options.
Wages of eligible employees are secured through the Federal Employment Agency’s insolvency benefit for the statutory period of up to three months, the company said, and pre-financing of these claims is planned. The company stated that self-administration creates the conditions to stabilize operations and consistently implement the restructuring.
The company cited a challenging market environment in fashion retail, declining customer traffic and, primarily weather-related, currently below-average demand for autumn and winter fashion as reasons for the step. It said it has already initiated measures to refine assortment and inventory management, market-based pricing and a stronger alignment of collections with demand and customer needs.
Planned improvements include better product availability and responsiveness to seasonal trends, a review and adjustment of the store network, cost structures and operational processes, and a renewed focus on personal consultation in stores, stronger online business and digital transformation. Managing director Oliver Lübbenjans said the goal is to reposition Liberty Woman with a compelling assortment, close customer relationships and economically viable structures.
Under self-administration, management remains in office and receives support from restructuring experts. A court-appointed administrator supervises the proceedings legally.
