His family name stands for the unmistakable style of Kitzbühel. Frauenschuh is the combination of tradition and modernity — in design, materials and first-class workmanship. Skiservice Magazin met founder and visionary Kaspar Frauenschuh.
Kaspar Frauenschuh, a trained tanner and leather cutter, was just 21 when he took over his parents' business in 1974. The tannery and leather factory had made a name for itself. The “Kitzbühel Style” was created here in the sixties. Here, guests from all over the world ordered their custom-made leather products, especially deerskin.
Kaspar was not intimidated by responsibility. He wanted something new. From the world's fashion capitals, he brought new styles and global brands to Tyrol. The family supported him to the best of their ability. The name Frauenschuh soon became synonymous with the new Alpine style.
It all started with a fleece jacket
Caspar wanted more. Fashion should not only look chic, but also function flawlessly at the same time. In his fashion, you should feel comfortable and be able to move freely. In 1997, he founded his label “Frauenschuh — Luxury Sportswear from Austria”.
His first own piece was a fleece jacket. Tight fitting yet comfortable. “A diving jacket,” the conservatives scoffed. Kaspar was undeterred. “If the general public doesn't like it, it usually becomes a trend,” he grins. The fleece jacket became his first “masterpiece”.
This is what he calls his brand's most important pieces, which often last several seasons. “We stick to the things we've done really well,” he says about the development of his collections. “We're not fashion, we're modern. But lasting in value and style.” Under his direction, a team of six people develops the pieces, each of which bears its own unique signature. The style of Frauenschuh is unmistakable.
Combining function with aesthetics
He combines traditional materials such as loden, walk and deerskin with technical materials such as Swiss Schoeller Stretch and the finest nylon from Japan, creating the comfort and lightness that characterize his line. It is manufactured in small factories in Austria, Germany and Italy. Frauenschuh is “Handmade in Europe”.
“All our leather comes from animal-friendly farming, our contract partners treat their employees properly and pay wages that you can live on,” underlines Kaspar Frauenschuh. Social responsibility is part of his philosophy.
“We all eat lunch at one table. This is where we discuss ideas, problems and, above all, solutions.”
“A woman's slipper would be great.”
He would never move away from Kitzbühel. “I was already Weissgottwo,” muses the fashion entrepreneur, visionary and Kitzbüheler. “I live centrally here, but still in the middle of the mountains.” It is 90 minutes to Munich or Salzburg, in three hours you are in Italy or Vienna, and the quality of life is right on your doorstep. “Here I can meet exciting people, concentrate on archery or avoid the hustle and bustle of high season on a ski tour.”
When asked what he would like to do one day, he thinks about it first and then smiles: “A women's slipper would be great.”
As always, he thinks big: “Not just any shoe. The best alpine après-ski boot.” He still lacks the know-how and limits. “But I already have a feeling of what it takes.” We can be excited.
This text by Christian Gartmann is in Skiservice Magazine 2018 appeared. He was commissioned by Corvatsch ski service created.