The Woody story began in 1993 out of a recognizable need: Ghent native Michel Van de Velde was looking for playful, high-quality nightwear for his young daughter, but couldn't find anything suitable. Through mutual connections, his path crossed with Mehmet Batur, who ran his own textile factory in Turkey and shared the exact same ambition.
There was an immediate connection. Instead of a traditional client-supplier relationship, a genuine partnership formed between two entrepreneurs whose strengths complemented each other perfectly.
Together, they launched an innovative collection of colorful, playful sleepwear. British illustrator Woody Fox was brought on board for the visual identity. His quirky animal prints featuring their signature glow-in-the-dark effect became the iconic face of the brand—and gave Woody its name.
hanks to the close tie between the Belgian creative heart and the dedicated, high-quality production facility in Turkey, Woody has safeguarded its legendary quality for decades. When Michel Van de Velde decided to step back in 2017, he handed over the helm to Mehmet Batur with complete confidence.
Today, Mehmet Batur leads the company alongside Liesbeth De Keyser (Chief Commercial Officer) and Boris Devreese (Chief Operations Officer). This driven trio forms the executive management team, steering Woody’s continued growth, innovation, and expansion.
