Etienne Aigner

Etienne Aigner (1904–2000) was the founder of Etienne Aigner US and Etienne Aigner AG, two presently separate high fashion houses, based respectively in New York City and Munich, Germany. Both companies produce luxury goods including handbags, luggage, belts, wallets, leather accessories and more.

History

Etienne Aigner was born in Ersekujvar, Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1904 (now Nove Zamky, Slovak Republic). Aigner was at first a bookbinder; shortly after the Second World War, he was creating custom-made high-end leather goods for a number of haute couture (high fashion) boutiques in Paris. Aigner established himself designing handbags and belts for the European fashion elite. In 1950, after successful apprenticeships with designers Christian Dior and Cristobal Balenciaga, Aigner arrived in New York City from Paris with plans to launch his brand in the new burgeoning American market.

Aigner’s older brother Lucien was a journalist and photographer.

In 1950, he introduced his Antic Red leather open-pocket bag with angular processing (Antic Red being the brand's signature color). He also perfected the Aigner logo after his monogram, the "a" for Aigner shaped into a horseshoe.

In 1959, Aigner opened his first showroom in Manhattan, New York.

In 1965 the "Aigner" brand and logo were licensed to a German business partner as Aigner GmbH Munich.

Involvement in equestrian world

In 1974, Aigner inaugurated the "Royal Ascot in Munich": the 1974 Etienne Aigner Renntag (Race Day).

Patents

Etienne Aigner took out design patents to protect his products, including:

• Etienne Aigner Buckle Patent: US Patent D218,007: Google Patent Reference
• Etienne Aigner Shoe Ornament Patent: US Patent D211,847: Google Patent Reference
• Etienne Aigner Handbag Closure Clasp Patent: US Patent D211,310: Google Patent Reference
• Etienne Aigner Handbag Closure Clasp Patent: US Patent D214,156: Google Patent Reference
• Etienne Aigner Chain variable element Patent: US Patent D214,156: Google Patent Reference