The SS troops belonged to the SS organization, service in them was not considered a state service, even if it was legally equated with such. The military uniform of the SS soldiers is quite recognizable around the world, most often this black uniform is associated with the organization itself. It is known that the uniforms for the SS during the Holocaust were sewn by prisoners of the Buchenwald concentration camp.
History of the SS military uniform
Initially, the soldiers of the SS troops (also "Waffen SS") dressed in a gray uniform, extremely similar to the uniform of the attack aircraft of the regular German army. In 1930, the very well-known black uniform was introduced, which was supposed to emphasize the difference between the troops and the rest, to determine the elitism of the unit. By 1939, the SS officers received a white full dress uniform, and from 1934 a gray one was introduced, intended for field battles. The gray military uniform differed from black only in color.
In addition, the SS servicemen relied on a black overcoat, which, with the introduction of a gray uniform, was replaced by a double-breasted one, respectively, in gray. Officers of high ranks were allowed to wear their overcoat unbuttoned on the top three buttons so that the colored distinctive stripes were visible. Following the same right (in 1941) received the holders of the Knight's Cross, who were allowed to demonstrate the award.
The women's uniform of the Waffen SS consisted of a gray jacket and skirt, as well as a black cap with the image of an SS eagle.
A black ceremonial club tunic with the symbols of the organization for officers was also developed.
It should be noted that in fact the black uniform was the uniform of the SS organization specifically, and not the troops: only SS members had the right to wear this uniform, the transferred Wehrmacht soldiers were not allowed to use it. By 1944, the wearing of this black uniform was officially abolished, although in fact by 1939 it was used only on solemn occasions.
Distinctive features of the Nazi uniform
The SS uniform had a number of distinctive features that are easily remembered even now, after the dissolution of the organization:
- The SS emblem in the form of two Germanic runes "zig" was used on uniform insignia. Runes on uniforms were only allowed to be worn by ethnic Germans - Aryans, foreign members of the Waffen SS were not allowed to use this symbolism.
- "Dead Head" - at first, a metal round cockade with the image of a skull was used on the cap of SS soldiers. Later it was used on the buttonholes of the soldiers of the 3rd tank division.
- A red armband with a black swastika on a white background was worn by members of the SS and stood out significantly from the black dress uniform.
- The image of an eagle with outstretched wings and a swastika (which was the emblem of Nazi Germany) eventually replaced the skulls on cap badges and began to be embroidered on the sleeves of the uniform.
The camouflage of the Waffen SS differed from the camouflage of the Wehrmacht in its pattern. Instead of the conventional pattern design with applied parallel lines, creating the so-called "rain effect", wood and plant patterns were used. Since 1938, the following camouflage elements of the SS uniform have been adopted: camouflage jackets, reversible helmet covers and face masks. On camouflage clothing, it was necessary to wear green stripes indicating the rank on both sleeves, although for the most part this requirement was not respected by the officers. In the campaigns, a set of stripes was also used, each of which denoted one or another military qualification.
SS uniform insignia
The ranks of the Waffen SS soldiers did not differ from the ranks of the Wehrmacht employees: there were differences only in form. The same distinctive signs were used on the uniform, such as shoulder straps and embroidered buttonholes. SS officers wore insignia with the symbols of the organization both on shoulder straps and in buttonholes.
The shoulder straps of SS officers had a double backing, the upper one differed in color depending on the type of troops. The backing was edged with a silver cord. On shoulder straps there were signs of belonging to one or another part, metal or embroidered with silk threads. The shoulder straps themselves were made of gray galloon, while their lining was invariably black. The bumps (or "stars") on the shoulder straps, designed to denote the rank of an officer, were bronze or gilded.
On the buttonholes, runic "ridges" were depicted on one, and insignia by rank on the other. The employees of the 3rd Panzer Division, which was nicknamed the "Dead Head" instead of "zig", had an image of a skull, which was previously worn as a cockade on the SS caps. Along the edge of the buttonholes, they were edged with twisted silk cords, and the generals were covered with black velvet. They also knocked out the general's caps.
Video: SS form
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5 (100%) 1 voteHugo Boss, Nazi uniform maker and Hitler's personal stylist
What can I say, the Nazis created a magnificent visual background for themselves: events, symbols, clothes. I remember how a kid looked at Stirlitz in a German uniform - spectacular!
A few years ago, a scandal erupted around the published facts about the involvement of the world famous brand " Hugo Boss»to the creation of military uniforms for soldiers and officers of the Wehrmacht. The famous designer Hugo Boss was accused of complicity with the Nazis and personal connections with Hitler. The company even turned to historians for help to sort out this issue. And although the results of a scientific study disproved many of the replicated myths about the designer, the company had to admit the fact of creating the Nazi uniform and apologize for the exploitation of prisoners of war and prisoners from concentration camps in labor factories.
But back to Hugo...
In those days, the name of Hugo Boss was not yet a well-known brand. He started his professional path as an employee of a garment factory in 1902. Six years later, he inherited a textile shop from his parents, and in 1923 Hugo Boss opened his own sewing company - a workshop for sewing overalls, windbreakers, overalls and raincoats for workers. In 1930, his firm was on the verge of bankruptcy. To save her from ruin, he took up sewing Wehrmacht uniforms.
Rumors that the world-famous company Hugo Boss profited from cooperation with the Nazis appeared in the late 1990s, stirred up society and caused a scandal. In 1997, the company publicly acknowledged the fact of cooperation with the Nazis. Since this negatively affected the brand image, the company sponsored Scientific research these facts, which was carried out by the Munich historian Roman Kester. In 2012 he published a book called Hugo Boss, 1924-1945. A garment factory between the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich”, in which he detailed the results of his research.
As it turned out, Hugo Boss was really engaged in tailoring military uniforms for the Wehrmacht and received large profits from these orders. And the factory used forced labor of 140 immigrants from Poland and 40 French prisoners. However, no written evidence that Hugo Boss was Adolf Hitler's personal tailor has survived. In addition, the designer was not involved in the development of sketches and creating patterns, and his factory was one of many, far from the largest, of all companies that were engaged in sewing uniforms.
Karl Diebitsch, black SS uniform designer
In fact, the designer of the black SS uniform was not Hugo Boss, but Karl Diebich, a German artist, designer and officer of the SS, and the SS emblem in the form of two “Sieg” runes was designed by graphic artist Walter Heck. The black color of the uniform of SS officers was intended to evoke respect and fear, but it soon turned out that this color has a significant drawback: in the summer, it absorbs solar radiation and provokes profuse sweating. Therefore, black was soon replaced by gray, although black continued to be used in the ceremonial uniforms of officers of the highest echelon of the SS. The factory of Hugo Boss only made uniforms designed by Karl Diebitsch.
The creation of the SS uniform of Dibich was inspired by the uniform of the Prussian *Hussar of Death*
But the fact that Hugo Boss collaborated with the Nazis not under duress, but because of personal convictions, was confirmed even by his son. In 2007, Siegfried Boss publicly admitted that his father was a member of the Nazi Party and commented on this fact: “And who was not a member at that time? The whole industry worked for the Nazis." Back in 1931, the designer voluntarily joined the National Socialist Workers' Party of the NSDAP and was himself a staunch Nazi. This was the main reason why his factory was registered as an important military enterprise and received a large order for sewing Wehrmacht uniforms. The German historian Henning Kober claims that all of the Hugo Boss management were Nazis and Hitler supporters.
After the end of the war, the factory again took up the production of overalls for postmen, policemen and railway workers. And its owner was tried, he escaped prison, but was sentenced to pay a fine of 100 thousand marks. True, later Hugo Boss was partially rehabilitated, and his status was changed: from the "accused" he turned into a "sympathizer." In 1948, the designer passed away at the age of 63. His company became a world famous brand after his death.
Until now, teenagers in cinemas (or during a more thorough study of the topic from photographs on the net) catch an aesthetic buzz from the type of uniforms of war criminals, from the uniform of the SS. And adults are not far behind: in the albums of many older people, the famous artists Tikhonov and Armor show off in the appropriate attire.
Such a strong aesthetic impact is due to the fact that for the SS troops (die Waffen-SS) the form and emblem were developed by a talented artist, a graduate of the Hannover Art School and the Berlin Academy, the author of the cult painting "Mother" Karl Diebitsch (Karl Diebitsch). He collaborated with SS uniform designer and fashion designer Walter Heck on the final design. And they sewed uniforms at the factories of the then little-known fashion designer Hugo Boss (Hugo Ferdinand Boss), and now his brand is famous all over the world.
History of the SS uniform
Initially, the SS guards of the party leaders of the NSDAP (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei - National Socialist German Workers' Party), like the stormtroopers of Rem (the leader of the SA - assault squads - Sturmabteilung), went in a light brown shirt plus breeches and boots.
Before final decision about the expediency of the existence of two parallel "advanced guard detachments of the party" at the same time and before the cleansing of the SA, the "imperial leader of the SS" Himmler continued to wear a black edging on the shoulder of a brown tunic to the members of his detachment.
The black uniform was introduced personally by Himmler in 1930. A black tunic of a sample of a military Wehrmacht jacket was worn over a light brown shirt.
At first, this tunic had either three or four buttons, general form parade and field uniforms were constantly refined.
When the black uniform designed by Diebitsch-Heck was introduced in 1934, only a red armband with a swastika remained from the time of the first SS detachments.
At first, there were two sets of uniforms for SS soldiers:
- front door;
- everyday.
Later, without the participation of famous designers, field and camouflage (about eight variants of summer, winter, desert and forest camouflage) uniforms were developed.
hallmarks military personnel of the SS units in appearance for a long time became:
- red armbands with a black edging and a swastika inscribed in a white circle ─ on the sleeve of the tunic of a uniform, jacket or overcoat;
- emblems on caps or caps ─ first in the form of a skull, then in the form of an eagle;
- exclusively for the Aryans ─ signs of belonging to the organization in the form of two runes on the right buttonhole, signs of military seniority on the right.
In those divisions (for example, "Viking") and separate parts where foreigners served, the runes were replaced by the emblem of the division or legion.
The changes affected appearance SS men in connection with their participation in hostilities, and renaming "Allgemeine (general) SS" to "Waffen (armed) SS".
Changes by 1939
It was in 1939 that the famous "dead head" (a skull, made first of bronze, then of aluminum or brass) was transformed into the famous eagle on the cockade of a cap or cap.
The skull itself, along with other new hallmarks, remained a part of the SS Panzer Corps. In the same year, the SS men also received a white dress uniform (white tunic, black breeches).
During the reconstruction of the Allgemein SS into the Waffen SS (a purely "party army" was reorganized into combat troops under the nominal command of the Wehrmacht General Staff), the following changes occurred with the uniform of the SS men, under which they were introduced:
- field uniform of gray (the famous "feldgrau") color;
- full dress white uniform for officers;
- black or gray overcoats, also with armbands.
At the same time, the charter allowed the overcoat to be worn unbuttoned on the top buttons, so that it would be easier to navigate in the insignia.
After the decrees and innovations of Hitler, Himmler and (under their leadership) Theodor Eicke and Paul Hausser, the division of the SS into police officers (primarily units of the "Dead Head" type) and combat units finally took shape.
Interestingly, the "police" units could only be ordered personally by the Reichsführer, but the combat units, which were considered the reserve of the military command, could be used by Wehrmacht generals. Service in the Waffen SS was equated with military service, and the police and security forces were not considered military units.
However, parts of the SS remained under the scrutiny of the supreme party leadership, as a "model of political strength." Hence the constant changes, even during the course of the war, in their uniforms.
SS uniform in wartime
Participation in military companies, the expansion of SS detachments to full-blooded divisions and corps gave rise to a system of ranks (not too different from the general army) and insignia:
- private (schutzman, colloquially just "man", "SS man") wore simple black shoulder straps and buttonholes with two runes on the right (left - empty, black);
- an ordinary “verified”, after six months of service (obershutze) received a “knob” (“asterisk”) of silver color on the shoulder strap of a field (“camouflage”) uniform. The rest of the insignia were identical to Schutzmann;
- the corporal (navigator) received a thin double silver stripe on the left buttonhole;
- the junior sergeant (Rottenführer) already had four stripes of the same color on the left buttonhole, and on the field uniform the “knob” was replaced with a triangular patch.
The non-commissioned officers of the SS troops (belonging to it is easiest to determine by the “ball” particle) received no longer empty black shoulder straps, but with a silver edging and included ranks from sergeant to senior sergeant major (headquarters sergeant major).
Triangles on the field uniform were replaced by rectangles of various thicknesses (the thinnest for the Unterscharführer, the thickest, almost square, for the Sturmscharführer).
These SS men had the following insignia:
- sergeant (Unterscharführer) ─ black shoulder straps with a silver edging and a small “asterisk” (“square”, “knob”) on the right buttonhole. The same insignia were in the "junker SS";
- senior sergeant (sharführer) ─ the same shoulder straps and silver stripes on the side of the “square” on the buttonhole;
- foreman (oberscharführer) ─ shoulder straps are the same, two stars without stripes on the buttonhole;
- warrant officer (hauptscharführer) ─ buttonhole, like a foreman, but with stripes, there are already two knobs on shoulder straps;
- senior warrant officer or sergeant major (Sturmscharführer) - shoulder straps with three squares, on the buttonhole the same two "squares" as the ensign, but with four thin stripes.
The last title remained quite rare: it was awarded only after 15 years of impeccable service. On the field uniform, the silver edging of the epaulette was replaced by green with the corresponding number of black stripes.
SS officer uniform
The uniform of the junior officers differed already in the shoulder straps of the camouflage (field) uniform: black with green stripes (thickness and number depending on the rank) closer to the shoulder and intertwined oak leaves above them.
- lieutenant (untersturmführer) ─ silver "empty" shoulder straps, three squares on the buttonhole;
- senior lieutenant (Obersturführer) ─ a square on shoulder straps, a silver stripe was added to the insignia on the buttonhole, two lines on the sleeve patch under the “leaves”;
- captain (hauptsturmführer) ─ additional lines on the patch and on the buttonhole, epaulette with two "knobs";
- major (Sturmbannführer) ─ silver "wicker" shoulder straps, three squares on the buttonhole;
- lieutenant colonel (oberbannshturmführer) ─ one square on a twisted pursuit. Two thin stripes under the four squares on the buttonhole.
Beginning with the rank of major, the insignia underwent minor changes in 1942. The color of the backing of the twisted epaulets corresponded to the type of troops, on the epaulet itself there was sometimes a symbol of a military specialty (a sign of a tank unit or, for example, a veterinary service). "Knobs" on shoulder straps after 1942 turned from silver into golden signs.
Upon reaching the rank above the colonel, the right buttonhole also changed: instead of the SS runes, stylized silver oak leaves were placed on it (single for the colonel, triple for the colonel general).
The remaining insignia of senior officers looked like this:
- colonel (Standartenführer) ─ three stripes under double leaves on a patch, two stars on shoulder straps, an oak leaf on both buttonholes;
- the unparalleled rank of oberführer (something like "senior colonel") ─ four thick stripes on the patch, a double oak leaf on the buttonholes.
Characteristically, these officers also had black and green "camouflage" shoulder straps for "field", combat uniforms. For commanders of higher ranks, the colors were no longer so “protective”.
SS general uniform
On the uniforms of the SS at the highest command staff (generals) there are already golden-colored epaulettes on a blood-red backing, with symbols of silver color.
The shoulder straps of the “field” uniform are also changing, since there is no need for special disguise: instead of green on a black field for officers, generals wear thin gold signs. Shoulder straps become gold on a light background, with silver insignia (with the exception of the Reichsführer uniform with a modest thin black shoulder strap).
The insignia of the high command on shoulder straps and buttonholes, respectively:
- major general of the SS troops (brigadeführer in the Waffen SS) ─ gold embroidery without symbols, double oak leaf (until 1942) with a square, triple leaf after 1942 without an additional symbol;
- lieutenant general (gruppenfuehrer) ─ one square, triple oak leaf;
- full general (Obergruppenführer) ─ two “bumps” and an oak leaf shamrock (until 1942, the bottom sheet was thinner on the buttonhole, but there were two squares);
- Colonel General (Oberstgruppenführer) ─ three squares and a triple oak leaf with a symbol below (until 1942, the Colonel General also had a thin sheet at the bottom of the buttonhole, but with three squares).
- The Reichsführer (the closest, but not exact analogue ─ "NKVD People's Commissar" or "Field Marshal General") wore a thin silver epaulette with a silver trefoil on his uniform, and oak leaves surrounded by a bay leaf on a black background in his buttonhole.
As you can see, the SS generals neglected (with the exception of the Reich Minister) the protective color, however, in battles, with the exception of Sepp Dietrich, they had to participate less often.
Insignia of the Gestapo
In the SD security service, the Gestapo also wore SS uniforms, the ranks and insignia practically coincided with the ranks in the Waffen or the Allgemein SS.
The employees of the Gestapo (later also the RSHA) were distinguished by the absence of runes on their buttonholes, as well as the obligatory badge of the security service.
An interesting fact: in the great TV movie Lioznova, the viewer almost always sees Stirlitz in, although at the time of the spring of 1945, the black uniform almost everywhere in the SS was replaced by a dark green "parade" more convenient for front-line conditions.
Muller could walk in an exceptionally black tunic ─ both as a general and as an advanced high-ranking leader who rarely goes to the regions.
Camouflage
After the transformation of security detachments into combat units by decrees of 1937, samples of camouflage uniforms began to enter the elite combat units of the SS by 1938. It included:
- helmet cover;
- jacket
- face mask.
Camouflage capes (Zelltbahn) appeared later. Trousers (breeches) before the appearance of reversible overalls in the region of 1942-43 were from the usual field uniform.
The pattern itself on camouflage overalls could use many "small-spotted" forms:
- dotted;
- under oak (eichenlaub);
- palm (palmenmuster);
- plane leaves (platanen).
At the same time, camouflage jackets (and then reversible overalls) had almost the entire required range of colors:
- autumn;
- summer (spring);
- smoky (black-gray polka dots);
- winter;
- "desert" and others.
Initially, uniforms made of camouflage waterproof fabrics were supplied to the Verfugungstruppe (disposition troops). Later, camouflage became an integral part of the uniform of the SS "target" groups (Einsatzgruppen) of reconnaissance and sabotage detachments and units.
During the war years, the German leadership was creative in creating camouflage uniforms: the finds of the Italians (the first creators of camouflage) and the developments of the Americans and the British, which were among the trophies, were successfully borrowed.
Nevertheless, one should not underestimate the contribution of German scientists themselves and scientists collaborating with the Hitler regime to the development of such famous camouflage brands as
- ss beringt eichenlaubmuster;
- sseichplatanenmuster;
- ssleibermuster;
- sseichenlaubmuster.
Professors of physics (optics) who studied the effects of the passage of light rays through rain or foliage worked on the creation of these types of colors.
Soviet intelligence knew less about the SS-Leibermuster camouflage overalls than allied intelligence: it was used on the Western Front.
At the same time (according to American intelligence), yellow-green and black lines were applied to the tunic and crest with a special "light-absorbing" paint, which also reduced the level of radiation in the infrared spectrum.
The existence of such paint in 1944-1945 is still relatively little known, it has been suggested that it was a “light-absorbing” (of course, partially) black fabric, on which drawings were later applied.
In the 1956 Soviet film "In the 45th Square" you can see saboteurs in costumes most reminiscent of the SS-Leibermuster.
In a single copy, a sample of this military uniform is in the military museum in Prague. So, there can be no question of any mass tailoring of the uniform of this sample; such camouflage patterns were produced so little that now they are one of the most interesting and expensive rarities of the Second World War.
It is believed that it was these camouflages that gave impetus to American military thought to develop camouflage clothing for modern commandos and other special forces.
Camouflage "SS-Eich-Platanenmuster" was much more common on all fronts. Actually "Platanenmuster" ("woody") is found in pre-war photos. By 1942, “reverse” or “reversible” jackets of the “Eich-Platanenmuster” coloring were massively supplied to the SS troops ─ autumn camouflage on the front, spring colors on the back of the fabric.
Actually, this tricolor, with broken lines of "rain" or "branches" combat uniforms are most often found in films about the Second World War and the Great Patriotic War.
The "eichenlaubmuster" and "beringteichenlaubmuster" camouflage patterns (respectively "oakleaf type "A", oakleaf type "B") were widely popular in the Waffen SS in 1942-44.
However, for the most part, of which, mainly, capes and raincoats were made. And the soldiers of the special forces already independently (in many cases) sewed jackets and helmets from capes.
SS form today
Favorably aesthetically solved black form of the SS is still popular today. Unfortunately, most often not where it is really necessary to recreate authentic uniforms: not in Russian cinema.
A small “blunder” of Soviet cinema was mentioned above, but with Lioznova, the almost constant wearing of black uniforms by Stirlitz and other characters could be justified by the general concept of the “black and white” series. By the way, in the colorized version, Stirlitz appears a couple of times in the "green" "parade".
But in modern Russian films on the theme of the Great Patriotic War, horror drives with horror in terms of reliability:
- infamous 2012 film, Serving Soviet Union”(about how the army fled, but political prisoners on the western border defeated the SS sabotage units) ─ we observe SS men in 1941, dressed in something between Beringtes Eichenlaubmuster and even more modern digital camouflage;
- the sad picture “In June 1941” (2008) allows you to see SS men in full dress black uniform on the battlefield.
There are many similar examples, even the “anti-Soviet” joint Russian-German film of 2011 with Guskov “4 Days in May”, where the Nazis, in the 45th, are mostly dressed in camouflage from the first years of the war, is not spared from mistakes.
But the SS parade uniform enjoys well-deserved respect from reenactors. Of course, various extremist groups are also striving to pay tribute to the aesthetics of Nazism, and even those not recognized as such, such as relatively peaceful “Goths”.
Probably, the fact is that thanks to history, as well as the classic films "The Night Porter" by Cavani or "The Death of the Gods" by Visconti, the public has developed a "protest" perception of the aesthetics of the forces of evil. No wonder the leader of the Sex Pistols, Sid Vishers, often appeared in a T-shirt with a swastika; in the collection of fashion designer Jean-Louis Shearer in 1995, almost all toilets were ornamented with either imperial eagles or oak leaves.
The horrors of war are forgotten, but the feeling of protest against the bourgeois society remains almost the same - such a sad conclusion can be drawn from these facts. Another thing is the "camouflage" colors of fabrics created in Nazi Germany. They are aesthetic and comfortable. And therefore they are widely used not only for games of reenactors or works on household plots, but also by modern fashion couturiers in the world of big fashion.
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Hugo Boss (Hugo Boss) – German company that produces luxury clothing and perfumes. Products are sold in 124 countries in more than 6,100 stores, both own and franchised.
History of the Hugo Boss brand
1885: Birth of Hugo Ferdinand Boss, creator of the brand.
1923: Hugo Boss founds a small textile company in Metzingen(Germany), located south of Stuttgart. Initially, this is a family studio, combined with a small shop. Then the business gradually gains momentum, and the enterprise becomes a garment factory that produces uniforms for workers, postmen and policemen.
1925: The company has 33 employees. A crisis is coming, and the company is trying to get out of it by releasing hunting clothes, national costumes, work overalls, rubber and leather raincoats. Hugo Boss negotiates with creditors the purchase of 6 sewing machines. Some workers accept pay cuts to keep the enterprise going.
1931: the country is in crisis, the Hugo Boss factory is on the verge of bankruptcy, and Entrepreneur joins the National Socialist Party of Germany. Orders for tailoring the uniforms of the SA, SS and Hitler Youth begin to come from her, which saves the company from ruin. However, it is not Hugo himself who creates the uniform design, but Karl Diebitsch, who designs most of the military uniforms and regalia of the Third Reich.
1932-1945: Hugo Boss is the official clothing supplier for both ordinary German soldiers and Wehrmacht and SS officers. During the Second World War, the factory is declared an important military enterprise., it employs about 150 forced laborers, primarily from Poland and Ukraine, as well as 30 French prisoners of war.
1946: the factory almost burns out again: Hugo Boss is accused of collaborating with the Nazis, fined 80,000 marks and deprived of the right to vote.
1948: Hugo Boss dies and the company is headed by his son-in-law Eugen Holy. Hugo Boss again specializes in uniforms for railroad workers and postmen.
1953: Hugo Boss launches the first men's suit. This is a turning point in the history of the company: it begins to move away from mass production of clothing and gradually approach the world.
1967: the company is headed by Uwe and Jochen Holy - children former leader firm and the grandchildren of its founder. It is they who turn the brand into a world-famous fashion brand.
1970s: Hugo Boss is growing rapidly. First, the firm becomes Germany's largest menswear manufacturer. Secondly, the company is turning into an influential fashion house.
1972: Hugo Boss sponsors Formula 1 races and golf and tennis championships for the first time.
1975: talented ( Werner Baldessarini) begins to collaborate with Hugo Boss.
1984: launch of the brand's perfume line.
1993: the company becomes the property of the Italian holding Marzotto SpA (currently Valentino Fashion Group). The Holy brothers leave the enterprise. CEO the company becomes Peter Littman. It divides the brand into lines with different target audience: Boss, offering , Hugo with bold youth models, Baldessarini with luxury products.
1996: the introduction of the Hugo Boss Award for Achievement in Contemporary Art.
1997: the company receives a license to manufacture watches together with the Swiss brand Tempus Concept.
Guess who was the designer of the fascist uniform?
Hugo Boss :)
Global brands - accomplices of the Nazis
A political oversight was averted by a vigilant citizen who complained that he had been given documents for a car with the fascist abbreviation for the long-defunct NSB party. The Ministry of Transport of the Netherlands immediately assured that the error occurred due to a failure in computer program, which is engaged in tracking vehicle signs, preventing the registration of license plates with certain prohibited combinations of letters. Now all the normal signs are ready, and the owners will receive them soon.
In addition to NSB, license plates the following abbreviations will not be used: KKK (Ku Klux Klan), PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party), as well as letter combinations denoting any political parties, swear words and short name of the Dutch football club PSV Eindhoven. The letter combination Philips Sport Vereniging (PSV) translated from the Dutch means only "Philips Sports Union". On August 31, 1913, a football club from the Dutch city of Eindhoven was founded by a team of Philips employees.
If you live in Amsterdam and are an ardent fan of the Amsterdam club Ajax, you probably will not be very comfortable driving a car with a PSV license plate," the press service of the ministry said.
The history of the letters on the license plates looks like "flowers" compared to the vinaigrette of political correctness and economic competition.
In 2006, the Austrian magazine Profil reported that the world famous brand HUGO BOSS had defiled its reputation during the Second World War. The company of the same name sewed not only uniforms for soldiers and officers of the Wehrmacht, but also for the SS. The International Tribunal at Nuremberg recognized the SS as a criminal organization, and its employees were subject to trial. In addition, a journal note noted that the company used the labor of concentration camp prisoners. A year later, Hugo Boss's son, Siegfried, confessed that his father was a member of the Nazi Party. "The whole industry worked for the Nazis," added the 83-year-old scion of the founder of the fashion empire.
Hugo Boss opened his sewing workshop in 1923 at the height of the economic crisis. Until 1931, she practically did not bring income, until the cunning fellow joined the Nazi party NSDAP. Two years later, Boss secured a state order for the production of uniforms for attack aircraft, SS men, Wehrmacht soldiers, and the Hitler Youth youth organization. The uniform developed by him is deservedly considered the best in the history of military uniforms. After the war, Boss was fined 80,000 Reichsmarks as an accomplice of the Nazi regime. And in 1948, Hugo Boss finally retired, transferring his company into the hands of his heirs.
In addition, the prisoners of the "death camps" worked at many German enterprises, such as Krupp, Siemens, Bayer, at the automobile factories of Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Porsche, and even stood at the conveyors American company Ford. Logically, for the exploitation of the labor of hundreds of thousands of prisoners, these firms and their products should be boycotted.
And further. The black SS uniform (well known to our viewers from the series "Seventeen Moments of Spring" directed by Tatyana Lioznova) was invented by a 34-year-old heraldry specialist, a member of the "Imperial Association of German Artists", Professor Karl Dibich with his assistant Walter Heck. The latter also developed the emblem in the form of a double rune "zig" and the design of edged weapons for the SS. Atelier Hugo Boss was engaged only in sewing uniforms for party bosses and senior SS and Luftwaffe ranks. The creation of the SS uniform of Dibich was inspired by the uniform of the Prussian "Hussars of Death" (colloquially German from the 18th century It is customary to call the 1st Life Hussars and the 2nd Life Hussars of Queen Victoria of Prussia the word Totenkopfhusaren), whose mirlitons were decorated with the emblem of Totenkopf - "dead head". The combination of black and white is a tribute to the heraldic colors of the Kingdom of Prussia. Ironically, in Russian Empire there were their own black hussars dressed in a similar uniform: the Fifth Regiment of the Alexandrian Hussars.
Black uniforms and caps for members of the SS were introduced on July 7, 1932, and after 1939 a massive transition of members of the General SS to gray uniforms began. In fact, from that moment on, the black uniform was no longer worn, giving preference to gray and field uniforms. In 1944, the black uniform was abolished in Germany. Soviet cultural figures turned it into a memorable symbol of the SS.
