Werner Baldessarini

Werner Baldessarini (born 23 January 1945, in Kufstein in Tyrol) is an Austrian fashion designer and businessman. He was formerly chairman of Hugo Boss.

Biography Early life Baldessarini's grandparents were of Italian descent, his father was an Austrian textile merchant, his mother was from Nuremberg, Germany. Baldessarini grew up in Munich and began an apprenticeship as a textile merchant in the Munich men's fashion store Hirmer at the age of 16. He then worked as a buyer at men's outfitter Wagenheimer in Munich and became managing director.

Hugo Boss In 1975, Baldessarini joined the company Hugo Boss. He was promoted chief designer and joined Hugo Boss' executive board in 1988,

In 1993, under the leadership of then CEO Peter Littmann and head designer Baldessarini, Baldessarini the luxury label for men was introduced. The more youthful HUGO label was presented for the first time in 1993 as well. Under Baldessarini's leadership, the sportswear label Boss Orange (1998) and the women's fashion line Boss woman (2000) were introduced.

After Hugo Boss In August 2006, Baldessarini in turn sold the Baldessarini textiles brand to Ahlers AG in Herford for an estimated price between EUR 6 million and 9 million. Since 2007, the Baldessarini brand has been managed without Werner Baldessarini, although he was originally supposed to act as a consultant until 2012.

In 2010, Baldessarini was appointed to the Supervisory Board of Austrian hosiery manufacturer Wolford. He stepped down in 2013.

As of 2020, Baldessarini was still involved in the licensing of Baldessarini fragrances.

Since the takeover of the Ahlers AG by German Röther Group in 2023 the Baldessarini brand has been managed by their subsidiary New Baldessarini GmbH as part of the R.Brand Group.

Private life Werner Baldessarini lives in Kitzbühel with his wife Cathrin (*1963), whom he married in 1994. Baldessarini's experience in Gander was one of the stories recounted in Jim DeFede's book The Day the World Came to Town.