Philipp Plein’s label is tangible proof that clothes are worth as much as you’re willing to pay for them. The designer started with custom-made luxury furniture, which helped him to make a name for himself. How did Philipp Plein combine being a talented designer and a businessman? Read about his success story!
Philipp Plein may not be everyone’s go-to brand, but it’s no wonder – it’s only for those who are sure of their own esthetic. The German designer mixes casual styles with imaginative looks (which is particularly visible in menswear, often inspired by science fiction and comics).
That’s why a man dressed head to toe in Philipp Plein can feel like a true superhero. The designer’s looks give courage and make the wearer hold his head high. They are also very extravagant and ornate. Thanks to rich embellishments and the iconic skull, the label has become a must-have for all fashion lovers.
The label’s creator designs uncompromising and wild clothes, accessories, shoes and furniture with bold patterns. His shows are usually meticulously staged, expensive (between 1,5 and 3 mln euros) and spectacular. One of the shows was even held in a… house of ill repute; the scenography of other shows took the audience to a funfair, the prairies of the Wild West or a Monster Truck event, respectively. Fully aware of the psychology behind luxury goods, Philipp Plein loves to provoke and has been developing his eponymous brand with unwavering energy since 1998.
Philipp Plein – destined for success
Philipp Plein, who comes from Munich, managed to succeed not only because of his entrepreneurship and talent, but also – as it often happens – due to a stroke of luck. He always went his own way and was unpredictable. Much to his parents’ dissatisfaction, he dropped out of law school for the sake of designing… luxury dog beds and tables. With 20k marks he inherited from his grandfather, he opened a furniture shop in 1989.
His products were always targeted at well-to-do customers with specific expectations – he crafted his furniture with expensive and extravagant materials such as crocodile skin. Left with leather scarps from furniture production, he decided to use them to produce luxury bags.
Jacket or house – the choice is yours
Plein’s career reached a turning point in 2003 at a fashion and design trade show in Dusseldorf. In only one day, he sold products worth 100k euro, and it was just the beginning. Encouraged by this success, at the 2004 show he presented military jackets with skulls embellished with Swarovski crystals worth several hundred euros each.
In the span of a few months, the jackets earned him a million-euro income and the most successful design (now a collector’s item) was a jacket worth 80k dollars made of crocodile leather and mink fur.
Philipp Plein
Bomber jacket
Philipp Plein
High-waisted leather trousers
Philipp Plein
Swim shorts with logo
Obligatory selfie with a skull
The designer’s success is a mix of the luxury character of the products he offers with a note of controversy, big social media campaigns and being friends with stars (like Iggy Azalea, Naomi Campbell, Snoop Dogg or Grace Jones, among others). Plein is also very effective online – he digitalized his store faster than Gucci or Hermes. His online sales bring in millions of profit.
What’s even more interesting, no direct link to the brand is necessary to open a Philipp Plein boutique – becoming a franchisee is enough. The label spares no expense on the interior design of its stores and opts for an abundance of marble and crystals. The boutique on New Bond Street in London has 3 floors and 350 square meters. Each store houses a treat for his fans – a giant skull embellished with crystals, which is a perfect background for selfies.
Philipp Plein
Double-breasted dress
Philipp Plein
Embellished hoodie
Philipp Plein
Denim jacket
Plein online – what’s on offer?
Plein’s clothes and accessories become instant hits both online and in stores. What’s the label’s secret? Philipp Plein dazzles us with lavish boutiques, shows and designs, which are unapologetic about their richness, boasting the label’s logo and its deliberately ornate aesthetic.
The clothes often reference superheroes, such as Superman, Batman and others. However, they are far from being childish. If you would like to incorporate this motif in your looks, check out our text about kitsch.
What are the other characteristics of Plein’s style? He designs a lot of eccentric and provocative clothes, which still create a very elegant outfit worn with, for example, a classic trench coat from a different brand. He likes sparkle, controversial prints, vivid colors and exposing the best features of the wearers silhouette – for those that are not afraid of being seen. The brand’s clothes often feature logos and the iconic skull. Although more formal dresses tend to be more reserved, casual garments are sporty, “cosy” and comfortable, perfect for wearing every day.
Philipp Plein
Dress with straps
Philipp Plein
Shoulder bag
Philipp Plein
Patterned crop top & skirt
Philipp Plein’s designs can be the first step to refreshing your wardrobe, seeing it from a different perspective and spicing it up. If you think that life’s too short to wear boring clothes, check out the designer’s products available on Vitkac.com for ready-made, inspiring and eye-catching looks.
