ESCADA: Cool glamour combined with sensual elegance

• Brand philosophy

  The democratisation of haute couture – this was the aim of Margaretha and Wolfgang Ley when they founded the fashion label ESCADA 35 years ago. Creative design, high-quality fabrics, outstanding fit and the ultimate in comfort were the criteria for the clothes, which were all colour-coordinated. The ESCADA brand continues to meet these exacting standards. Not only that: today ESCADA fashions epitomise cool glamour, sensual femininity and modern elegance, offering outfits for every occasion. The range includes separates, chic dresses, evening wear and coats, as well as bags, belts, shoes and scarves, all designed to complement the current collection. Casual fashions for dynamic women can be found under the ESCADA SPORT label, which is distinguished by its chic understatement, youthfulness and relaxed, uncomplicated style.

• History

  Swedish top model Margaretha Ley founded the brand with her husband in 1976 and presented the first collection two years later. Opulent embroidery, pattern mixes and leopard prints were perfectly suited to the spirit of the 1980s. Her knitwear designs with intarsia and appliqué earned Margaretha Ley the design prize from the Mohair Council for Excellence. Further innovations contributing to the success of the brand included sophisticated prints on leather goods. A couture line and accessories were soon added to the range. Following the death of Margaretha in 1992, Brian Rennie became creative director in 1994, restyling the brand for a younger market. ESCADA became less opulent, in line with the trend in the 1990s. The ESCADA Sport line was introduced. Since November 2009 the company ESCADA AG has been owned by ESCADA Luxembourg Sàrl.

• Worth knowing

  Not only have top models such as Claudia Schiffer, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Nadja Auermann presented this fashion label in catalogues and brochures – film stars too have often been seen on the red carpet wearing ESCADA. At the Oscar awards ceremony in 1998, Kim Basinger received the coveted trophy in a pistachio green satin gown from ESCADA Couture.