FASHION INDUSTRY
APRIL 29, 2023
A Brief Story Of Etienne Aigner Company
Etienne Aigner is known for its leather handbags made by professional designers using the best leather with detail and precision.
Etienne Aigner is a fashion house which is engaged in luxury leather goods such as handbags, luggage, belts, wallets, leather accessories and others.
Aigner is known for its leather handbags. The handbag creations are indeed made by the hands of a professional designer. Aigner bags always use the best leather. Designed with detail and precision.
ORIGIN
The fashion house is named after its founder, Etienne Aigner (1904–2000) a young man of Hungarian origin (now his hometown is part of Slovakia) who founded Etienne Aigner US and Etienne Aigner AG, two high-end fashion houses based in New York City and Munich, Germany respectively.
Etienne Aigner was born in Érsekújvár, born in Austro-Hungarian imperium in 1904 (now Nové Zámky, Slovakia) and worked as a bookbinder while attending school. When World War II ended, he went to Paris to try his luck.
His mastery of binding led him to the idea of making hand-stitched leather goods, such as bags and belts. Apparently his sewing is considered so neat that he was trusted to produce items for fashion houses such as Dior, Lanvin and Balenciaga.
AMERICAN ERA
In 1950, Aigner moved to New York to follow his brothers, and began making leather goods under his own name. This marked the birth of the Etienne Aigner brand. In 1959, Aigner opened its first showroom in Manhattan.
But the fashion industry in New York at that time seemed to contradict his idea. Aigner wanted to make high-end handmade goods with great taste, while the New York industry wanted cheap, mass-produced goods.
He therefore started his own business making burgundy belts, arguing that it was the only material that was affordable for him at that time.
It turned out that his “golden hands” produced products that people quickly recognized, so that the brand became a prominent item in American stores. His products immediately became popular, and the color burgundy became his kind of signature.
Etienne Aigner died in New York on November 5, 2000 at the age of 95, three days before his 96th birthday.
THE GERMAN COMPANY
The story begins when Etienne Aigner’s products were demonstrated in Canada and received the attention of a textile entrepreneur from Germany, Heiner H. Rankl.
Rankl persuaded Aigner to be granted the rights to manufacture and sell the Aigner brand in Europe. The negotiations were successful and Etienne Aigner AG based in Munich, Germany was born.
Aigner Germany is oriented towards the beauty and luxury of Italian products. Aigner even makes some of its bag products in Italy, a country known for the quality of its tanneries.
THE ICONIC LOGO
The logo used is the letter A similar to a horseshoe that Etienne Aigner chose from the start. In addition, the horseshoe which is a symbol of good luck also signifies the quality assurance of Aigner’s products.
Apparently, Etienne’s previous work at leading fashion houses influenced the choice of logo. This is because luxury leather products in Europe are generally associated with equestrian sports. The horse is also considered a symbol of luxury and royalty.
Meanwhile, when he decided to enter the watch business, Aigner glanced at a country that was undoubtedly the maker of classy watches, Switzerland. Although made in Switzerland, the Aigner watch is thick with an Italian-style design. Some are even shaped like Aigner’s trademark horseshoes.
MODERN DAY
The company’s products are available in more than 438 retail stores in 49 countries. In Aigner’s Prospectus 2009, it is stated that 60% of all sales come from the foreign market and 40% from the German domestic market.
Combined, these sales include leather goods (including handbags, shoes, wallets) 56%; equipment 23%; accessories 4%; jewelry & watches 5% and glasses 1%.
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