Hugo Boss

Summary

Hugo Boss AG- together with its subsidiaries- develops, markets and distributes apparel, shoes and accessories for men and women. It offers business, casual, athleisure and evening wear in addition to shoes and accessories and licensed products including fragrances, eyewear and watches as well as kidswear. The company markets and sells its products under the BOSS and HUGO brand names through online stores, freestanding stores, shop-in-shops and factory outlets.

History

Hugo Ferdinand Boss – the fifth and youngest child of Heinrich Boss and his wife Luise who jointly owned a lingerie and linen shop in Swabian, Metzingen – was the heir to his parents’ shop. He began an apprenticeship as a merchant before enlisting in the army during World War I and later opened his clothing factory in 1924 with financial support from two manufacturers in Metzingen. During its first years the factory handmade garments by hand including brown shirts for the National Socialist Party. Hugo F. Boss advertised his company during the mid-1930s as a “supplier of Party equipment since 1924.”

In 1929 the global economic crisis caused enormous problems for the textile industry and by 1931 Hugo Boss’ factory was near- bankruptcy. That year Hugo F. Boss became a member of the National Socialist Party which then placed orders for uniforms. Hugo Boss however took a long time to recover from the Great Depression. Post- 1938 the company received major commissions for army uniforms.

As per a company statement: “Up to 1942 the company’s annual turnover rose consistently to peak at just over one million reichsmarks. At that point it suffered a sharp decline due to the introduction of fixed commodity prices… during World War II the company chiefly produced uniforms for the German armed forces and the Waffen-SS: the armed wing of the SS. Although the company was forced to relocate in 1944 it still had one order pending for the Waffen-SS at the start of 1945.”

Overall Hugo Boss grew substantially during the Third Reich. Metzingen was occupied by Allied troops in April 1945 after which it became part of the French occupation zone. Subsequently Hugo F. Boss was forced to undergo denazification, during which he was initially classified as “incriminated” and reportedly fined 100,000 reichsmarks. The reasons for this sentence included his early membership of the National Socialist Party, the fact that he benefited financially from National Socialism, and his friendship with Georg Rath, the local leader of the National Socialist Party. Hugo F. Boss appealed against the initial sentence and was ultimately classified as a “follower”.

When the war ended.. the company initially continued to manufacture uniforms albeit for the French occupation forces and the Red Cross. Under the aegis of Hugo Boss’ son-in-law Eugen Holy.. production expanded until the end of the Sixties. The company had already begun selling suits during the Fifties and by late Sixties, its total sales had reportedl climbed to 3.5 million deutschmarks. In 1969 brothers Jochen and Uwe Holy took over the company and began evolving it into the global fashion brand it is today.

In 1984 Boss branded fragrances appeared and the company was listed listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange the following year. The brand began sponsorship of motorsports, golf and tennis. In 1989 Boss launched its first licensed sunglasses. Later that year, the company was bought by a Japanese group. After the Marzotto textile group acquired a 77.5 per cent stake for reportedly $165,000,000 in 1991 Hugo and Baldessarini brands were introduced. In 1995 the company launched footwear. An alliance with Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation was launched in 1995 resulting in Hugo Boss Prize: an annual $100,000 stipend in modern arts.

In recent times, Daniel Grieder joined the HUGO BOSS AG Managing Board as Chief Executive Officer in 2021. He is responsible for Company Strategy- Business Unit BOSS Womenswear- Business Unit BOSS Menswear- Business Unit HUGO- Global Marketing- Global Product Development- Licenses Management- HR- Corporate Communications.

Per a company release- he explained the brand’s transformative vision: “With the branding refresh and the release of the star-studded campaigns we are ushering in an entirely new era for BOSS and HUGO. It is our aim to excite new and younger target groups and turn them into fans of our brands. Both campaigns are therefore an important step in further boosting brand relevance and in reaching our goal to become a top 100 global brand in the years to come.”

Vision

Hugo Boss envisions becoming the premier fashion and lifestyle brand worldwide, dedicated to inspiring customers to look and feel their best every day. Central to this vision is the fashion brand’s motto “We love fashion. We change fashion” which encapsulates its commitment to leading and transforming the fashion industry.

Hugo Boss is entering a new era characterized by a refreshed culture and innovative branding strategies that place the customer at the core of its business. By prioritizing the principle that “product is king,” the fashion brand focuses on delivering exceptional experiences through cutting-edge digitalization and an integrated omnichannel approach. This ensures that customers enjoy a seamless and personalized interaction with the fashion brand across various platforms.

In pursuit of its bold vision, Hugo Boss is undergoing a significant transformation to establish itself as the leading tech-driven fashion platform worldwide. This evolution involves a comprehensive rebranding effort that reflects the brand’s forward-thinking mindset and commitment to leveraging technology. By embracing digital advancements and enhancing its omnichannel capabilities, Hugo Boss aims to offer an elevated and innovative fashion experience. This strategic shift not only underscores the brand’s dedication to setting new standards in the industry but also positions it at the forefront of fashion technology, aligning its identity with contemporary trends and consumer expectations.

Mission

Hugo Boss is committed to creating an exceptional customer experience built on trust, respect and quality products. The team strives to provide modern trendsetting apparel and accessories to enhance the lifestyles of their customers.

In line with the company’s CLAIM 5 growth strategy both BOSS and HUGO have undertaken a new modern brand identity focused on a younger global demographic. The collections, stores and omnichannel brand experiences will be centered on a more playful casual aesthetic while staying true to the brand codes of dressing excellence. Per a company release- Daniel Grieder- CEO- HUGO BOSS AG explained: “With the branding refresh and the release of the star-studded campaigns we are ushering in an entirely new era for BOSS and HUGO. It is our aim to excite new and younger target groups and turn them into fans of our brands. Both campaigns are therefore an important step in further boosting brand relevance and in reaching our goal to become a top 100 global brand in the years to come.”

An engaging customer-centric experience will also be unveiled on the hugoboss.com website. With more imagery, videos and inspiring content.. customers will have the opportunity to dive into the new products.. leading to a more enjoyable and immersive shopping experience.

The Team

• Carolin Westermann (Head of Corp. Communication)
• Gareth Incledon (CEO and President of Asia Pacific Region)
• Daniel Grieder (CEO)

Products and Services

Hugo Boss offers a high-quality product portfolio and services that cater to the fashion and lifestyle needs of its discerning clientele. BOSS offers sophisticated, modern collections focused on quality and design to create an impeccable look be it business, casual or athleisure. The HUGO collection is designed for those who take their own approach to style, offering a full range of tailoring and cool casual pieces with fashion-forward attitude. HUGO’s only rule when it comes to style: be your authentic self. Hugo Boss’s commitment to excellence is evident in its emphasis on craftsmanship, innovative design, and a seamless omnichannel experience, ensuring customers receive premium products and exceptional service across all touchpoints.

Awards and Recognition

Hugo Boss has garnered significant acclaim and recognition for its excellence in fashion and design over the years. The brand has been honored with prestigious awards such as the German Design Award, the Fashion Group International Global Choice Award, and the Red Dot Design Award, underscoring its commitment to innovative and high-quality design. Further cementing its global standing, Hugo Boss was listed among the Fortune Global 500 in 2020, highlighting its substantial impact and success within the global business landscape. These achievements reflect the brand’s ongoing dedication to excellence and its influential role in shaping the fashion industry.

References

• Official website Hugo Boss
• Inside BOSS Unforgettable FW23 Show GQ
• Company history Hugo Boss
• Boss Unveils New FW22 Campaign GQ
• CEO Daniel Grieder Hugo Boss
• How Hugo Boss CEO Is Revamping The Brand Forbes
• Annual Report Hugo Boss
• How Jason Wu Became Hugo Boss’s New Leading Man Harpers Bazaar
• LinkedIn account of Hugo Boss LinkedIn
• The Boss Is Back Bloomberg
• Facebook account of Hugo Boss Facebook
• Techno tailor: Boss is revolutionising the made-to-measure suit Wallpaper
• Twitter account of Hugo Boss Twitter
• New Hugo Boss CEO overhauls top team to revive brand Reuters
• Instagram account of Boss Instagram
• Ex-Tommy Hilfiger boss Grieder to become new Hugo Boss CEO Fashion Network
• Youtube channel of Boss Youtube
• Boss – Russel athletic GQ
• Wikipedia page of Hugo Boss Wikipedia