| Famed for its casual wear and classically cut men's | | | | range and horizons yet again by making a significant |
| suits, the German fashion house Hugo Boss is now a | | | | impact on the fragrance market. This decision |
| long-established global leader in clothing. Named after | | | | effectively split the company's business model in two, |
| the founder himself, Hugo Boss began in 1923 in | | | | with one half still producing exceptionally good quality |
| Metzingen, Germany just after World War I, as the | | | | designer clothes, whilst the other half aimed to |
| country's industry began to prosper again. However, | | | | dominate the perfume world. |
| by 1930, Boss faced bankruptcy due to the floundering | | | | In 1993 the label released the Boss brand, to focus on |
| economic climate in Germany but, undeterred, found | | | | contemporary mens suits for the younger generation |
| success again in 1933 when his empire truly began to | | | | and, by 1999, Hugo Boss decided to split the |
| grow, as he became the official supplier of uniforms to | | | | organisation further to gain a still greater share of |
| the SS guard. | | | | individual markets, by launching Boss Orange and Boss |
| After the war, and the death of Hugo Boss himself in | | | | Black. Boss Orange is the casual and leisure wear |
| late 1947, the company carried on manufacturing work | | | | brand, whereas Boss Black is the label's formal brand, |
| wear before eventually turning its hand to designing | | | | focussing on eveningwear for men and women. |
| and producing men's suits in 1953. As luck would have | | | | Today there are more than 6,000 points of sale for |
| it, the world fashion industry was just beginning to | | | | Hugo Boss brands and more than 1,000 stores in about |
| focus more on men's clothing and so, during the 60s | | | | 100 countries worldwide, making it a fashion mainstay. |
| and into the 70s, Hugo Boss suits became the de | | | | However, in December 2009 Hugo Boss announced |
| riguer choice for well-cut lines and superb quality. | | | | that it was to close its main clothing factory in Ohio, |
| Having expanded yet again into men's casual wear | | | | which served as the main production and distribution |
| and women's wear, Hugo Boss was floated on the | | | | site for American Boss mens suits for 20 years. |
| stock market and garnered great success, with the | | | | Despite the factory producing 150,000 suits a year, the |
| Marzotto Textile Group still being the majority | | | | closure has come as the factory was not deemed to |
| shareholder in the global fashion label to this day. | | | | be working to its full capacity, and a more efficient |
| Exactly 70 years after the company was first | | | | approach was needed to ensure future growth. |
| founded, Hugo Boss looked to broaden its product | | | | |