History of Hugo Boss

Hugo Boss is one of the most famous luxury fashion and style houses in the world, with a string of fashion lines and global notoriety. The physical embodiment of authentic and understated luxury, the brand offers apparel for every occasion, from business attire to casual wear, evening wear to sportswear.

Starting with the company's namesake, Hugo Boss, we look at the history of the company right from the beginning of the fashion line in a small German town, to the global phenomenon we know today. Use the timeline to explore the key events, accomplishments and developments in Hugo Boss' history.

1924

Hugo Boss Founded

Hugo Boss starts his clothing company in 1924 in Metzingen, a small town south of Stuttgart. It is still based there.

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1950

First Men's Suit

After Hugo Boss's death, the factory returned to making uniforms for postal and police workers. It produced its first men's suit during the 1950s.

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1970

International Lifestyle Company

Hugo Boss becomes a leading international brand in the premium and luxury segment of the clothing market. It becomes synonymous with high level fashion and lifestyle worldwide.

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1985

German Stock Exchange

Hugo Boss is listed on the German Stock Exchange in Frankfurt.

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1991

Marzotto Takes Share Majority

In the beginning of the 1990s, Italian fashion group Marzotto S.p.A takes over share majority of the company.

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1993

Launch of Trend Setting HUGO brand.

HUGO and BALDESSARINI are added to the Hugo Boss core brand.

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1996

Hugo Boss Establishes Contemporary Fine Arts Award

The brand joins forces with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation to create the Hugo Boss Prize in honour of artists around the world.

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1997

BOSS Golf Collection Launched

After a long sponsorship in golf, Hugo Boss launches their own collection that includes high quality golf sportswear.

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1998

Womenswear Collection Finally Launched

After the success of previous years, Hugo Boss releases their Women's collection

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1999

BOSS Orange Launched

The end of the decade marked the release of Hugo Boss Orange, adding another high quality product to the table.

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2000

BOSS Black Launched as New Womenswear

BOSS Black womenswear is released.

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2001

Group sales for Hugo Boss exceeds €1 billion

An impressive start to the decade as group sales for Hugo Boss exceed €1 billion.

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2003

BOSS Green Repositioning

BOSS Green (formerly BOSS Golfwear) is repositioned within the Hugo Boss brand world with a new concept: Functional materials and BOSS fashion know-how are synthesized in this everyday apparel with a sporting twist. The result is a coherent collection with strong colors and high-impact looks.

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2004

BOSS Selection Launched

As modern consumers' tastes became more sophisticated, demand for supreme quality and perfect workmanship grew. For a leading brand like BOSS, it was important to satisfy ever-changing market requirements with innovative solutions. BOSS therefore offers products that completely cover the high-quality menswear segment. The luxury line BOSS Selection is first presented for Fall/Winter 2004.

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2006

BOSS Orange Womenswear Launched

Summer sees the launch of the BOSS Orange Womenswear collection, offering the same casual, individualistic and upbeat styles as the existing men's collection.

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2007

Permira Takes Over Share Majority

Permira inherits the stake when it buys a majority holding in in Milan-based Valentino Fashion Group SpA, Hugo Boss\' parent company at the time.

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2008

Online Store Launched With Social Media Activities

iPhone owners are now able to explore the world of Hugo Boss via mobile devices. In addition to viewing the more detailed presentation on the corporate website, the company also maintains online channels on the video platform Youtube and social networking sites Facebook, Twitter and FourSquare.

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2009

Licence is Released for Kidswear

Hugo Boss gains licence to create fashionable clothing for children.

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2010

BOSS Green Womenswear Launched

In the Fall/Winter 2010 season, Hugo Boss premiers a further women's collection. As a complement to the successful BOSS Green Men's collection, BOSS Green Womenswear became available in stores starting July. The line's looks are geared toward trend-conscious, athletic women with relaxed, modern lifestyles who enjoy wearing casual, stylish sportswear or playing golf in their free time.

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2010

Record Sales and Profits Posted

The end of the decade goes out strong marked by new record highs for sales and profits.

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2011

BOSS Home Launch

The most recent license is awarded for bed and bath products. Inspired by the Group's fashion sensibilities, the Home Collection comprises elegant, modern products featuring high-quality workmanship. With this new licensing agreement, Hugo Boss forges a complete lifestyle experience that can be recreated at will in consumers' homes.

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2011

BOSS Selection Repositioning

Hugo Boss decides to position itself as an authority of bespoke form and shape, attracting consumers to come in-store for suit fittings. They begin with their high luxury Boss Selection Tailored Line as enticement.

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2012

Hugo Boss 2012: Most Successful Year in Brand History

Hugo Boss states that 2012 is the most successful year in its history as it cashed in on growing demand in the US.

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2012

Hugo Boss Launch Boss Orange Charity Fragrances

Hugo Boss launch Boss Orange Man and Boss Orange Woman Charity Edition fragrance, with UNICEF benefiting with a donation from each sale.

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2013

Hugo Fashion Show Fall 2013

HUGO Fashion Show Fall 2013 in held in Berlin.

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2013

Hugo By Bugo Boss Autum/Winter 13/14

Hugo Boss launch their Autumn/Winter 2013-14 ready-to-wear range

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2013

Hugo Boss Asia Art Award

In June 2013 Hugo Boss and the Shanghai-based Rockbund Art Museum announced the first edition of the Hugo Boss Asia Art Award for emerging artists. Nomadic in nature, the biennial prize aims to \'activate\' alternate areas of Asia by focusing on artists from different regions in each edition. The inaugural award fixes on Greater China.

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2013

Hugo Boss Today

Today the companys headquarters remain in Metzingen, Germany. There are additional facilities in Italy, Poland, Turkey and America. Hugo Boss continues to dominate as a market leader, actively selling in 129 countries.

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