Hugo Boss

Hugo Boss AG is a fashion house based in Metzingen, Germany, that specializes in high-end menswear apparel. It is named after its founder, Hugo Ferdinand Boss (1885–1948).

History

Hugo Boss started his clothing company in 1923 in Metzingen, where it is still based, a small town south of Stuttgart, Germany. However, due to the economic climate in Germany at the time Boss was forced into bankruptcy in 1930. Undeterred, Hugo set up a new business and in 1931 became a member of the Nazi party. With the rise of Adolf Hitler in 1933, Boss's business also began to prosper as he became the official supplier of uniforms to the SA and SS guards.

With the defeat of Germany in 1945, Boss was charged with being sympathetic to the Nazi cause and was denied the right to vote in Germany and ordered to pay a fine. He died in 1948 but his business survived and in 1953, with the demand for SS uniforms gone, the business turned its hand to making suits. The timing was perfect, as the male fashion industry was just establishing itself and through the 60's and 70's Boss suits became the benchmark for quality, fashionable menswear.

In 1985 the company was floated on the stock exchange and the majority shareholder is now the Marzotto textile group. In 1993, exactly 70 years after it was founded, Hugo Boss launched its first perfume, thus creating a division of the company that has steadily grown to be an important area of business for the company.

Today

In 1987, Boss Orange for men was launched described as sporty and casual separating itself from the trendy Hugo brand and the sophisticated Boss Black brand. Boss Green is a completely sporty brand selling items designed for a sporty look.

The company's products, divided over three brands, are available throughout the world in 103 countries and more than 5,002 retail stores. These brands are Boss, Hugo, and since 2004, Baldessarini (named after former Hugo Boss chairman Werner Baldessarini). The latter, Baldessarini GmbH, is a more independent business unit which focuses on a more prestigious image than its two sister brands. It sells, like the other Hugo Boss brands, clothing, shoes, fragrances and accessories but will leave Hugo Boss after the Spring/Summer 2007 collection has been sent to boutiques. This is due to the newly launched premium Boss line, Boss Black Selection, outselling Baldessarini.

Baldessarini fashion recently sold for up to €9m (Aug 2006) to Ahlers AG - a fashion brand holding company. Werner Baldessarini will continue to design the collections; he will also be in charge of marketing.

Today's sub-brands for men include: Boss Black/Boss Black Selection, Boss Green, Boss Orange, Hugo, and Baldessarini. For women: Boss Black, Boss Orange (announced in July 2005 for Spring/Summer 2006 launch) and Hugo. Also part of the brand are Lifestyle Accessories.

All fragrance brands (Hugo, Boss and Baldessarini) are owned by Procter & Gamble.

Moss Bros Group hold the exclusive UK licence for the Hugo Boss brand.