Jil Sander

Since 1968

Jil Sander born 1943, near Hamburg, Germany. Worked as a fashion editor at Petra magazine, then opened first boutique in a Hamburg suburb, 1967. Founded Jil Sander GmbH in 1968. Known for luxurious minimalism in the 1990s. Label carries on since 2005 under the creative direction of Raf Simons, born Neerpelt, Belgium, 1968. Simons studied industrial design, initially working on showrooms and presentation of collections at Walter Van Beirendonck, Paris. Encouraged by Linda Loppa, head of Fashion Department at Antwerp Royal Academy, became self-trained menswear designer in 1995. Appointed head professor of Fashion Department of the University of Applied Arts, Vienna, from 2000-2005. Won first prize Swiss Textiles Award, 2003. Lives and works in Antwerp, Belgium. Image courtesy of Marcio Madeira / FirstView.com.