With his tanned skin and stylish clothing as his main features, the famous fashion designer Wolfgang Joop reached his 75th birthday on November 18th. Joop isn't planning a big party, according to his circle of friends. Because it is a day under special circumstances. At the beginning of the month, Joop broke his ankle in a fall in the bathroom. “It’s the classic: smooth stone floor, some water – and it’s all over,” his partner Edwin Lemberg told the DPA. Joop then came to the hospital. To describe the man as just a designer would be too short. He is also a painter, visual artist and author.
Wolfgang Joop – A great talent turns 75
With Jil Sander and the now deceasedKarl Lagerfeldhe is one of the most successful Germans in the industry. The artist was born on a farm in Potsdam. In 1954 the family moved to Braunschweig. In the GDR he longed to return and enjoyed his visits to Potsdam with Aunt Ulla on the family estate Gut Bornstedt. In his book “The Only Possible Time” from this year, he talks about his first big moment in the 50s. He put together his outfit with wool socks and loose pants from his grandfather's closet.
Wolfgang Joop studies advertising psychology and art education, but only after graduating. He later developed as a visual artist, painter, writer and even an actor. However, his greatest talent is drawing. He already used this ability at school. In 1978 he presented his first own fur collection, while in 1982 the first women's collection under the brand “Joop!” arises. The fashion designer became famous with this label, but sold it in 1998. Three years later he also left the brand as chief designer. In 2012 he was awarded the Design Prize of the Federal Republic of Germany. The following year he returns with the luxury label “Wunderkind”.
As a writer, he had his premiere in 2003 with the novel “Im Wolfspelz” about fashion king Wolf. Ten years later his autobiography “Undressed – From a Life with Me” was published. In it he reports - to the questions of the journalist and writer Rebecca Casati - about the most important stages of his life. Joop also appears as a juror on television: He took part in Heidi Klum's casting show “Germany's Next Top Model” on Pro Sieben in 2014/2015. This year he returned as a guest judge. The fashion designer got to know the world and also lived in New York and Monaco. But in 1998 he returned to his hometown of Potsdam. Joop initially lived in the renovated “Villa Wunderkind” with his partner Edwin Lemberg and his dog Lotte.
News about the fashion designer
Today he lives with his partner and ex-wife Karin on the estate in Sanssouci Park. He and his ex-wife have two daughters: Jette, a jewelry and fashion designer, and Florentine, an author and painter. The return to Potsdam was preceded by a public family dispute, which was primarily due to a strained relationship with daughter Jette. In his last book, “The Only Possible Time,” Joop tells how he returns home for the family reunion and provides insight into his life. As in the 2013 autobiography, this is also about uncertainty, loneliness and defeat.
Joop wouldn't be Joop if he didn't keep reinventing himself. At Berlin Fashion Week in July, he presented shirts and T-shirts with colorful prints for the textile company Van Laack - with drawings by Joop on some of the items. He spoke of a “resurrection”. “I always want to show in this country that you can stay here and make a difference.” Basically, he has a clear opinion on current fashion: “It can no longer be clearly defined,” he told the women’s magazine “Donna”.
