Daniel Hechter

Daniel Hechter

Born in 1938, Daniel Hechter is a fashion designer from the striking city of France, Paris. He is occasionally referred to as the originator of prêt-a-porter and in fact his family owned a company of ready-to-wear. He was brought up in an environment of fashion lovers and sympathizers. Unfortunately he was forced to not see his father, who was a war prisoner, at the age of four and was taken to Paris with his mother until he turned seven years old. In 1958, for two years Hechter served the army. After growing up, he married Marika and the two have a daughter. Later in 1980, he got married again and this time to Jennifer Chambon.

The designer finished off his secondary education and worked as a storekeeper for a fashion house until the year 1955. A year later, his designs were being sold by Jacques Esterel and Louis Féraud. In 1958, Hechter began working for Pierre d’Alby. By 1962, he was capable of founding his own brand, Daniel Hechter, with Armand Ornstein. The same year, he opened up a boutique to display and sell his collections. Soon he became recognized for his casual sporty wear. His intended goal was to offer to the market high-quality, creative and wearable fashion for a variety of customer groups. With time his company expanded and developed into an international brand. He rose to fame when one of his designs were worn by Brigitte Bardot in la Parisienne.

In 1966, he started working with Scott Paper Company to make nonwoven paper dresses and received attention for being an avant-garde designer. By 1971, he started designing apparels for tennis and ski players. After eighteen years, Hechter launched his debut perfume line.

In 1992, his role changed as a designer and Hechter entered politics through the Marseille regional council. Five years later, he retired and shifted to Geneva. Hechter was elevated as the Etolie Carouge Vice President of the soccer club. In 2000, the talented man published Le Boss, his novel.

Hechter was very much involved in sports, especially football. He was a major financial contributor in the early years of Paris Saint-Germain and from 1973 to 1974, he was the management committee’s chairman. In 1998, Hechter designed street wear for the soccer team of France.

Hechter marketed and promoted his concept of the commercial practicality of lifestyle apparel with a huge success. Soon he exported his work to around forty-seven countries and licensed goods in Canada, Australia, Europe, South America and the United States.

He treated fashion as lifestyle and revolutionized the couture world during the 1960s – military coats, pant suits, and clothing with a sporty touch – all this in an era of arty hairdos and chic high heels. In 1962, he introduced his trends in the catwalks and then  to stores in Paris. This was a new way women could appeal to themselves in the fashion landscape. After 1969 he devoted his time to menswear.

During the 1970s, his unique and creative ideas led him to the success of his company. His advertisements were out-of-the-box, stylish and innovative.

Between the 80s and 90s, clothes became an expression and a kind of attitude towards fashion and as whole life. Daniel Hechter designed wearable, persuasive and beautiful fashion for both women and men. He created apparel that radiated the spirit of Paris, capital and fashion city of France.