ABOUT AIGNER
FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT:
A GREAT PAST AND AN EXCITING FUTURE.
A NEW START IN NEW YORK.
The great fashion designer Etienne Aigner was born in Hungary in 1904. More than half a century ago he presented his first handbag collection in New York – and caused a major sensation.
In 1950 people were so excited about Aigner's exclusive leather creations especially the invention of the "steamer trunk" for the legendary transatlantic liners or the Orient Express.
A few years later Etienne Aigner met Heiner H. Rankl, a businessman with a keen feel for the future and a strong sense of tradition – Therefore, the brand AIGNER was born in 1965, in Munich.
ALL ABOUT THE MUNICH FEELING.
Munich was the best place to establish a new, leading German fashion brand. In the mid 60s and 70s - Munich was a period full of excitement: there was a euphoric belief in progress, and the future held no threat. Certainly not in Munich, a city close to Italy and in tune with the "dolce vita" than anywhere else in the country. At that time none needed to invent an attitude because everyone had a natural feel for the lightness of life: Flower Power! Parties! Love! Discos! The Jet Set!
The design of the 60s and 70s reflected this great freedom. Reflection of everything that was young, streamlined and futuristic, with an emphasis on the colour orange.
Freedom and the special feel of time, has inspired the new brand AIGNER. Wild horses were best suited to those wild years and wild parties. The AIGNER Racing Days, an event organized by the brand, soon became a firm fixture in a society still unaccustomed to such events.
AIGNER infused its products with a rural, countrystyle feel. There was always a sense of the racecourse, a feeling of being by the fireside. A phenomenon that can still be felt till present.
AIGNER, A GERMAN BRAND FOR STYLISH LIVING.
The characteristic AIGNER "A" in the form of a small horseshoe combined with the AIGNER-typical Antic red colour was soon not only a striking feature of the best handbags, belts and expensive travel luggage but also leather-encased cigarette lighters, corkscrews, pipesmokers' accessories, and even backgammon boxes.
True leather and handbag classics that were designed in the 70s made AIGNER world-famous: The distinctive Saddle Bag and the unmistakable Doctor's Bag.
With the time, AIGNER has retained its claim to creating true classics.
During the 1980s AIGNER extended its items range by awarding licences for watches, jewellery and eyewear. In 1990 licences were awarded for the womenswear and menswear collection too.
The prestige brand AIGNER continued to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation long after its two original founders were no longer able to personally steer the company's fortunes. In the year 2000, Etienne Aigner died in New York at the age of 96.
With a continued success story, AIGNER yet continues to expand...
- 2003 AIGNER celebrated a spectacular debut at the Milan fashion shows.
- 2005 AIGNER opened over 20 new stores, expanding its business activities.
Today the brand is a symbol for unique craftsmanship, highest quality and perfection.
AIGNER – a German brand with an Italian soul.