"German Officer Uniform Designer" Topic

"Where are we going?"
"Deserting to the Germans."
"Great. I love their uniforms."

WWII movie dialog

"That uniform is concentrated arrogance and superiority in cloth. You put it on, you feel as invulnerable as a tank. You don't want to take it off".

Peter O'Tool speaking about his character's SS general's uniform in the movie Night of the Generals.

A guest at a party in my home was glancing through my WWII library when she came across a WWII German officer uniform paining guide. She knows very little about WWII or military topics. However, as a fashion designer, the WWII German officer dress uniforms fascinated her. Finding the cut, color, design, insignia, etc. perfectly balanced, she asked me who designed the uniform. I was stunned by the question. I've painted hundreds of German miniatures including 54mm and 90mm presentation figures but never gave any thought to where the uniform design came from. I said I didn't know but supposed, being a military uniform, that it was the product of a bureau or department in the German army or War ministry. She said that was nonsense. That design was not the product of any group of functionaries.

Is she right? Does anyone know who was responsible for the design of German officer's (regular army and SS) uniforms in WWII?

Given the Nazi attention to detail in creating just the "right" imagery in all things, from posters, to architecture, movies, etc., I have to believe the uniforms also had a designer.

It was Hugo Boss…

Hugo Boss? Damn! I have Hugo Boss overcoat I bought in Munich several years ago. Maybe that explains my strange desire to invade Poland whenever I wear it.

Thanks Condottiere.

For those who are interested, see the following from Wikipedia:

Hugo Boss established his company in Metzingen, Germany, in 1923, only a few years after the end of World War I, while most of the country was in a state of economic ruin.

Before and during World War II, Boss's company both designed and manufactured uniforms and attire for the troops and officers of the Wehrmacht as well as for other governmental branches of Nazi Germany, including the SS.

I thought you were joking so had to check it out myself .

There's a set of Mitchell and Webb sketches where they play Nazi officers.

Lines like "I think we might be the baddies -- our uniforms have skulls all over them".

V. Funny. Probably tubed if anyone can voodoo their search tool to produce useful results.

It's basically a later 19th century uniform design – that's why they progressively moved away from it eventually adopting a copy of British BD.

Katie – it's on Youtube a search using 'Mitchell and Webb Nazi' should turn it up.

I don't know that the design can be credited to any one person or group. There are clear similarities between the WWII uniforms and earlier uniforms, all the way back to the Imperial Army. I suspect that the uniforms just evolved with time, a small change here, another change there and they ended up what they were. But they certainly were… impressive.

It is here! The New Fuhrer sketch is very funny too!
link

Hugo Boss baby!

AX

Like most military clothing throughout history, it evolved from practical garments of civilian clothing.

Evil, to prosper, must seem beautiful or true, or few would embrace it. Similarly, lies must seem good or beautiful, and ugliness must seem true or good.

This is why the villains usually have the better uniforms.

"This is why the villains usually have the better uniforms."

That's complete garbage. Villains never consider themselves to be villains. Certainly the Germans didn't.

Now there is a killer Trivia question.

Explaines a lot about the way they advertise their aftershave (Boss, not the Nazis)
"They say its black tie" (Pulls on scruffy top) "Boss- your rules"
Which includes PUTTING UNIFORMS ON LOONIES.