ESCADA

ESCADA is a German luxury womenswear house built on bold, feminine designs, with a reputation for fine fabrics, exclusive embroidery and elaborate knits. The appeal is the craftsmanship and the colour-and-pattern combinations rather than a loud logo, so it rewards anyone who values fit and finish. It is worth it if you want elevated, occasion-ready pieces; the brand carries less hype than some rivals right now, which can also mean better value on previous-season styles.

ESCADA divides its world into fashion, accessories like bags, shoes and small leather goods, and licensed lines such as fragrances and eyewear, so there are several ways in. For the heart of the house, look to the main-line womenswear, where the embroidery, appliqués and bold colour work that built the brand really show. A tailored piece or an evening look is the most ESCADA way to begin.

The two have history together: ESCADA owned a majority stake in St. John Knits from 1990 before selling it in 1993. In aesthetic, ESCADA leans toward bold, vibrant prints and statement femininity, while St. John is better known for understated, knit-based tailoring. If you want colour, embellishment and occasion impact, ESCADA is the more expressive choice.

ESCADA was founded in 1978 in Munich, Germany, by Margaretha and Wolfgang Ley. Margaretha, a former model with a solid tailoring education from the Royal Court in Stockholm, became known for her bold, feminine designs, and the first womenswear collection, featuring exquisite inlays and appliqués, was presented that same year. The house is now headquartered in Aschheim, Germany.

ESCADA is owned by Regent, L.P., an international private equity firm led by investor Michael Reinstein, which acquired the brand in October 2019. Ownership has changed hands several times over the years: after the house went into insolvency in 2009 it was bought through Megha Mittal, before passing to Regent a decade later. Through it all the ESCADA name and its design DNA have continued.

Yes, the house has weathered real turbulence. ESCADA filed for insolvency at the Munich Local Court in August 2009 after a bond exchange offer fell through, and it filed again in 2020 with plans to limit some operations. Despite that, the brand has continued through restructuring and new ownership, and it still designs and retails womenswear, accessories and licensed lines today.

From its first collection, ESCADA stood out for unusual combinations of colours and patterns, exclusive embroidery and elaborately designed knitted fashions. That love of bold, feminine statement-making, paired with careful tailoring rooted in founder Margaretha Ley's Royal Court training, is the through-line of the house. It is fashion designed to be noticed, finished to a luxury standard.

ESCADA has a notable following. Diana, Princess of Wales wore an ESCADA coat for a formal visit to Berlin in 1987, Kim Basinger accepted her Oscar in 1998 in an ESCADA gown, and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden has been a regular customer who wore the house to several royal occasions. In 2019 the brand named singer Rita Ora the face of its spring campaign, and she co-designed a version of the ESCADA Heart Bag.

Yes. After a sustained campaign by animal-rights groups beginning in 2007, ESCADA confirmed in October 2010 that it would go completely fur-free by 2011. That commitment marked a clear shift for the house away from fur in its collections.

Because ESCADA's appeal lies in its embroidery, appliqués and fine knits, treat these as investment garments. Follow the care label closely, favour gentle or specialist cleaning for embellished and beaded pieces, and store knits folded rather than hung so they keep their shape. A little care keeps the colour and the handwork looking as sharp as the day you bought it.