The former lawyer and untrained fashion designer dislikes simplicity and goes for maximalist value
“Simplicity is boring,” says Philipp Plein. The German designer is unfiltered and proud of it. In the world of high fashion, he is going about his own way—good or bad, that is for people to decide.
Despite the mixed bag of positive and negative press surrounding his collections, he is a successful entrepreneur. The Philipp Plein International Group, which he founded in 1998 and helms, is an independent, self-financed and debt-free company that reportedly generates an average of US$300m in annual revenue.
The outspoken designer shares that he has been a nonconformist since high school and admits to having made his fortune by being loud and over the top. “I think conformism begins when you start compromising your beliefs and following what other people think. I’ve always acted the way I wanted to, no matter what, while pursuing my own idea of style. And I’m glad it worked!” says the 41-year‑old, who is famous for his blinged-out sneakers, sequin-studded sportswear and diamante‑adorned dresses.