Hugo Boss started out as a small workshop in Metzingen, Germany. Founded in 1923, and named after its founder, it claimed a controversial spot in history; having produced the Nazi SS uniforms and utilizing forced labor from France and Poland in World War II, when uniforms were in great demand.
The company started out with industrial worker suits, uniforms and raincoats. Boss died in 1948 and grandsons Uwe and Jochen Holy took over and geared it towards the more promising path of menswear. The company released its very first suit design for men in 1953.
Competition was stiff in the German market in the 1960s so the brothers decided to create men's suits in colorful hues made from durable, quality fabrics by Gaenslen & Voelter. Over the decade, Hugo Boss bested other companies by introducing trendier suits made of light Italian fabric, in contrast to the traditional German suits that were made of rigid and heavy ones.
Boss pioneered product export during the 70s, conquering Western Europe first, then the Atlantic and finally, the United Sates in 1976. The high-priced line instantly gained acceptance in America, as popularized by renowned figures such as Sylvester Stallone, Bjorn Borg and the Miami vice cops. By the 80's, the company had already passed the DM 100 million sales mark.
The company made another remarkable turn in 1984 when it launched its first fragrance along with affordable casual wear like sweaters and sports jackets. A year later, the company went public and renamed itself Hugo Boss AG (Aktiengesellschaft, which is German for a corporation that is owned by shareholders). By 1987, the company was grossing $500 million per annum.
A big portion of the company was sold to the Japanese Leyton Group in 1989, although the Holy brothers remained active in the management process. Three years later, they resigned whilst retaining designer stores in Munich and Stuttgart under the Hugo Boss Company. Marzotto became a major shareholder in 1991 and hired Peter Littmann as the new CEO. In response to the economic recession, two more labels were added namely Hugo - for the young and hip professional, and Baldessarini - for the classy top executive. Within a year, profits increased up to 74% and the company further expanded to the Southeast Asian region. In 1997, the company promised to reimburse to slave laborers post World War I.
Littmann was succeeded by chief designer and marketing manager Werner Baldessarini in 1998. This was also the time that the company started to design and launch lifestyle accessories and its very first collection of women's wear. Over the years, the company introduced more labels, including the more casual Boss Golf and Boss Sport lines, and Boss Black Selection. In 1999, another line - the sporty Boss Orange - was successfully launched.
At present Hugo Boss remains a subsidiary of Marzotto S.p.A., under the Valentino Fashion Group, which owns a 50% share in the firm. It remains to be one of the world’s top fashion lines, with Germany being its leading consumer and the United States as the second. It holds more than 350 franchise shops in over 90 countries around the world.
Related Articles
Hugo Boss - Perfumes For Women
By: James Philips | 06/11/2007 | Women's Issues
Hugo Boss started out as a small workshop in Metzingen, Germany. Founded in 1923, and named after its founder, it claimed a controversial spot in history; having produced the Nazi SS uniforms and utilizing forced labor from France and Poland in World War II, when uniforms were in great demand.
The...
Where to Shop for Online Perfumes
By: Darren Ashe | 25/06/2007 | Advertising
Ever wonder if you're getting ripped off when purchasing products online? Do you even check competitors for their prices, discounts and coupons? Believe it or not, the best deals are out there, but not where you're looking.
At FragranceCharm, it can't get any better.
Issey Miyake - East Meets West
By: James Philips | 30/10/2007 | Women's Issues
Born on April 22, 1938 in Hiroshima, Japan, designer Issey Miyake is known for creating an eclectic mix of Eastern culture and the textile technology of the West. This blend stems from his early exposure to the Western culture during the World War II American occupation in Japan, when he was just aged 10. He is noted to be one of the most innovative fashion designers and the first Asian to be renowned globally as such.
Lanvin - 80 Years of Perfume Making
By: James Philips | 07/02/2008 | Fashion
For more than 80 years now, Lanvin perfumes have been making great waves in the vast sea of the designer perfumes sector. Surely, the brand is one of the oldest we have in the global consumer market these days.
Ralph Lauren - Perfumes and Colognes
By: James Philips | 29/04/2008 | Fashion
Ralph Lauren has long been recognized as one of the most prestigious labels in the world of fashionable apparel. The label was created by Ralph Lauren himself, an American designer who creates a line of clothing and accessories with close attention to detail.
Online Perfume Shopping Statistics
By: Darren Ashe | 25/06/2007 | Online Promotion
One of the greatest discoveries of online fragrance shopping today is Perfumes and Pampering.
In regard to what makes an online store presentable, Perfumes and Pampering succeeds in many if not all areas. Let's address some of them, shall we?
Escada - The Race Horse
By: James Philips | 30/10/2007 | Women's Issues
Escada is one of the top international luxury fashion groups, specializing in women's fashion. It is among those brands famous for being worn to red carpet events by stars and celebrities.
Escada was founded in 1976 by Margaretha and Wolfgang Ley. The name of the company actually came from the name...
Laura Biagiotti - Fine Perfumes From Italy
By: James Philips | 07/02/2008 | Fashion
Laura Biagiotti perfumes are among the contemporary fragrance brands. That is why the perfume industry has been hopeful the popularity of the brand would help propel the popularity of perfumes globally.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Men's Issues Articles
Male Hair Removal
By: Peter Gitundu | 21/07/2008
Male hair removal is gaining popularity by the day. In the past men removed hair in the common places like chin and face but, they are coming to realize that women are no longer interested in hairy bodies but, smooth and muscular versions of athletes and swimmers.
Cost of Laser Hair Removal
By: Peter Gitundu | 21/07/2008
The cost of laser hair removal can be very high depending on the area you want treated. The use of laser to remove unwanted hair is one of the best and efficient methods available. There are different kinds of lasers and they continue to be upgraded and improved.
Laser Hair Removal in Men
By: Peter Gitundu | 21/07/2008
Laser hair removal men is one of the most effective way to get rid of unwanted hair. Women have been particularly known to go for most of the laser hair procedures available. Men are also realizing that this is indeed a good way to have hair removed.
Men- Do You Attract Women
By: Andy Smith | 15/07/2008
For many men, attracting women looks very difficult. For few men, it is very simple. The women get attracted to them automatically. There is some magnetism in them or so it seems. It is their personality, their confidence and their talking style that attracts women of a certain type to such men.
Do Canadians Drink Too Much of the Same Beer?
By: Louis Lemon | 05/07/2008
There are hundreds of different beers available in Canada. Yet, somehow I keep hearing the same beers ordered over and over at local bars.
Black Men Hair Styles - What the Celebrities are Wearing
By: Gerd C. Pacher | 04/07/2008
Most of the men who were there didn't have much fuss to do with their hair. The current trend in black men's hairstyles is short - and there are a variety of ways to wear it that way!
Male Hairstyles Psychology
By: Adi Marsudi | 01/07/2008
Hairstyle is one part of nonverbal communication that can reveal your personality. Man's personality can be read from what hairstyle he has, what color it has, how often he changes his hairstyle, etc.
Resignation by Government Duly Electged
By: Dalip Singh Wasan | 30/06/2008
All people elected are public servants and they must get verdict of the people who are the real masters before they leave the houses. The people joining alliance must continue in the alliance till the final date of tenure and they must not be allowed to resign before that date.
More from James Philips
Carolina Herrera - Spectacular Range of Perfumes
By: James Philips | 19/06/2008 | Women's Issues
The contemporary perfume sector is made more alive with the emergence and popularity of 212 Carolina Herrera for women and for men, respectively. Just like many perfume designers that came before her, Carolina Herrera first designed clothes and established her own fashion house before she pursued formulating and designing perfumes...
Carolina Herrera Perfumes
By: James Philips | 09/06/2008 | Fashion
The contemporary perfume sector is made more alive with the emergence and popularity of 212 Carolina Herrera for women and for men, respectively. Just like many perfume designers that came before her, Carolina Herrera first designed clothes and established her own fashion house before she pursued formulating and designing perfumes to extend the line of the fashion operations.
Calvin Klein - Fragrances And Fashion Clothing
By: James Philips | 15/05/2008 | Women's Issues
The word 'provocative' is an appropriate adjective that could refer to what the brand Calvin Klein is. In the world of perfumes, Calvin Klein is best known for its signature Eternity and Obsession perfumes. There is just so much about Calvin Klein that made it capable of earning its top...
Rochas - Designer Apparel And Fragrances
By: James Philips | 14/05/2008 | Women's Issues
The most decisive in the world of fashion, Marcel Rochas is a French designer who crafts and manufactures a myriad of products for the fashion market. Reports and stories have it that Rochas has been operating business acumen and a particular cultural technique that prevented him from losing his interest...
Calvin Klein - One of the Leading Fashion Designers
By: James Philips | 07/05/2008 | Fashion
The word 'provocative' is an appropriate adjective that could refer to what the brand Calvin Klein is. In the world of perfumes, Calvin Klein is best known for its signature Eternity and Obsession perfumes. There is just so much about Calvin Klein that made it capable of earning its top reputation as a brand that pleases to the senses.
Ralph Lauren Perfumes
By: James Philips | 07/05/2008 | Women's Issues
Ralph Lauren has long been recognized as one of the most prestigious labels in the world of fashionable apparel. The label was created by Ralph Lauren himself, an American designer who creates a line of clothing and accessories with close attention to detail. He was named as the master marketer...
Rochas - Fashion Apparel and Fragrances
By: James Philips | 05/05/2008 | Fashion
The most decisive in the world of fashion, Marcel Rochas is a French designer who crafts and manufactures a myriad of products for the fashion market. Reports and stories have it that Rochas has been operating business acumen and a particular cultural technique that prevented him from losing his interest with haute couture. He designed a variety of fashion clothing, but he primarily values his lines of fragrances knowing that thousands of people are looking for it.
Ralph Lauren - Perfumes and Colognes
By: James Philips | 29/04/2008 | Fashion
Ralph Lauren has long been recognized as one of the most prestigious labels in the world of fashionable apparel. The label was created by Ralph Lauren himself, an American designer who creates a line of clothing and accessories with close attention to detail.
News and Society 
