Hugo Boss was born in 1885, and started his clothing company in Metzingen, Germany, in 1923. The German depression forced him to close in 1930, but he reopened a year later, and quickly became highly successful, in large part by being chosen as a uniform supplier for the Nazi regime.
After World War II, the business survived the 1948 death of Boss, and soon focused on tailoring men's suits. The company grew steadily and opened stores around the world, and became publicly traded in 1985.
Hugo Boss launched its first fragrance line in 1993. The company sponsors the Hugo Boss Prize, one of the art world's most prestigious awards.