“A dictator of fashion” they called her. This very building the Deutsche Meisterschule für Mode Designschule München housed Gertrud Kornhas-Brandt. She led this renowned institution for years. Its history is woven into the fabric of Munich’s fashion legacy.
The Deutsche Meisterschule für Mode Designschule München isn’t just a school. It’s a living testament to Munich’s rich history. Founded in 1931 it’s been shaping the German fashion industry for nearly a century. It started as a national training center supported by three powerful textile unions. Its initial goal was ambitious. To train young women to become leading designers and businesswomen.
The school’s early years were marked by challenges. Conflict arose with guilds who feared competition during the Great Depression. Yet it persevered. Even showcasing its designs at the 1936 Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The school played a role in developing traditional Bavarian fashion. The Nazi era presented further challenges. Kornhas-Brandt who was not a member of the Nazi party faced opposition. She even requested a meeting with Hitler to discuss the future of German fashion. The meeting never happened. Hitler planned a fashion academy in Vienna instead.
After the war Kornhas-Brandt worked tirelessly to restart the school. In 1946 classes resumed with just 18 students. By 1948 the first male student enrolled. The post-war era brought its own struggles. Materials were scarce. Many women made do by altering existing clothing. Despite the limitations Kornhas-Brandt described Germany as a “modern fashion nation” even in 1950.
The school continued to evolve. In 1957 a position for an artistic director was created. Horst Klöff who served from 1958-1962 valued the spiritual aspect of fashion design. He adored clean and stark lines. Under director Georg Weith the school started organizing study trips to Paris Florence and Venice. It also collaborated with prominent European designers. These included Marc Bohan Yorn Heinz Schulze-Varell and Heinz Oestergaard. Uli Richter even guest lectured in 1971.
Today the Deutsche Meisterschule für Mode Designschule München thrives. It boasts over 250 students. Its alumni include notable names like Gabriele Blachnik Ayzit Bostan Karl-Ludwig Rehse Sabina Sakoh and Gabriele Strehle. This building you see before you stands as a symbol of enduring creativity and innovation in German fashion. It’s a place where history and the future of fashion intertwine. It’s a place where dreams are cut sewn and styled into reality.