Career
His fashion career began when he designed with his former wife Karin for which they were awarded all three first prizes in a design competition in 1968. Professionally he had been working as both, a fashion illustrator and journalist and as a freelance designer for fashion houses in Italy, France and Germany.
Wolfgang Joop achieved international success in 1978, when he showed his first fur collection, which the New York Times, among other publications, honored him as the „Prussian Designer.
The label JOOP! was created in 1981 and recognised for its provocative collections as well as for its internationally award-winning fragrances. In early 1982 Joop showed his first prêt-à-porter women‘s collection, followed by his first men‘s collection in 1985. Two years later, with the launch of his first perfume collection, he made his name a trademark, with capital letters to symbolize energy along with an exclamation mark. Clothes, shoes, jewelry, eyeglasses and perfume were immediately available under this brand. Wolfgang Joop sold the company JOOP! in 2001.
In 2003 Wolfgang Joop founded WUNDERKIND.
Wolfgang Joop first presented WUNDERKIND with the Fall/Winter collection 2004 in Berlin to an audience of distinguished press and retail guests.
WUNDERKIND had its international debut in September 2004 when WUNDERKIND was invited by the CFDA to premier the collection at New York Fashion week before repositioning the label and moving to show in Paris in 2006.
With the creation of WUNDERKIND he has built the only German fashion house of its kind. Each sample collection is designed, created and produced in house in the Villa Rumpf, Potsdam, Germany.
The house of WUNDERKIND is offering their worldwide clientele a sophisticated range of luxury Prêt-à-Porter collection and accessories. Besides this the company is selling a limited number of crystal tumbler in cooperation with Theresienthal, a limited porcelain service in cooperation with the Meissen porcelain manufacturer and scented candles in cooperation with Los Angeles based company D.L. & Co. exclusively in company owned stores.
WUNDERKIND opened its first award winning flagship store in Berlin in December 2006.
In 2008 the company opened two more stores in Germany: one boutique on the German luxury resort island Sylt and one vintage boutique in Berlin Mitte.
In addition WUNDERKIND opened its first international flagship store in London’s Mayfair district on Mount Street in November 2008.
WUNDERKIND is sold in 23 countries around the world in the most exclusive boutiques and department stores. WUNDERKIND enjoys a sense of freedom, which defies sartorial conventions and offers a unique take on modern elegance sitting well alongside Givenchy, Balenciaga and Dries Van Noten.
WUNDERKIND presented its first men’s wear collection during Milan Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week in June 2009.