In several industries, Germany has already taken over the world and fashion is just another sector that Germans are leaving their mark upon.

Karl Lagerfeld

Fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld has worked on top brands including Chanel, Fendi, Chloe and more. His beginnings were more humble and he started off as Pierre Balmain’s assistant. He secured this position after getting his first big break in fashion – beating 200,000 people for the international Wool Secretariat prize, aged 21, for the sketch of a coat.

After successful stints as the creative director of other brands, Karl Lagerfeld went on to set up his own brand and his careers has spanned more than 5 decades. His awards include Couture Council of the Museum and Couture Council fashion Visionary Award.

 

Wolfgang Joop

Before entering the world of fashion design, Wolfgang Joop was a fashion illustrator and a fashion journalist who received international recognition in the 1990’s for his clothing. However, his brand is also well-known for its vast fragrance range which has been internationally awarded.

Another highlight of Wolfgang Joop’s career is designing the bridal gown of Princess Sophie of Isenburg.

With his contemporary collections and minimalistic designs, Joop is one of the most well-known designers to come out of Germany in recent times.

 

Hugo Boss

The late Hugo Boss’s fashion business is still booming. Hugo Boss’s passion for clothing was likely genetic as before he ever entered fashion himself, he was inheritor of his parents’ lingerie firm. He later went on to establish a clothing company under his own name in 1923 and initially designed uniforms for postal and railway workers.

However, his brand is also steeped in controversy as a result of designing uniforms for the Hitler Youth and Nazi soldiers. Once the war was over and Hugo Boss passed away, the brand’s attention returned to designing men’s suits, womenswear, and developing a line of fragrances.

If you enjoyed this post and are inspired by these designers, check out LCCA’s Creative Fashion Design short course.