My passion for design began in my childhood. Growing up in a family with a textile business, I learned at an early age that the right combination of materials and craftsmanship can produce very special results. I was always fascinated by the world of colors, fabrics, and cuts, and these early influences have continued to guide me throughout my career.

After leaving school, I initially decided to do an apprenticeship as a bank clerk – partly because my father also worked in banking – and I gained additional valuable experience in various trainee programs at different companies, including a print shop and a weaving mill. This period of my life not only gave me an in-depth understanding of the technical aspects of the textile trade; it also provided me with the fundamental insights I needed to develop my business acumen. I worked in the family business for several years before deciding in 1995 that it was time to leave my home town and head off to the fashion city of Duesseldorf.

It was in Duesseldorf that I embarked on my journey as a trend scout and took my first deep dive into the fashion world. But my creative streak got the better of me, and I started sketching out my first collections at my kitchen table. By happy coincidence, fashion icon Albert Eickhoff became aware of my work. He recognized the potential and, as my mentor, he encouraged me to start my own label. In 2002, I was ready to launch my first collection under my own name. Peter Schmidt, the acclaimed Hamburg-based packaging designer, developed the brand and logo.