More about Knize
In 1902, banker Albert Wolff acquired the company. His wife Gisela later took over the business. Through Gisela Wolff, architect Adolf Loos, who was known in Vienna for his pioneering architectural style, came to work for Knize. In 1909, he designed a new shop front made of black marble and glass and redesigned the interior. After the end of the First World War, Fritz Wolff returned to Vienna and took over the management of the company in 1918. Three years later, Ernst Dryden joined Knize as a designer. Dryden had studied under Gustav Klimt at the School of Applied Arts and worked as a poster artist, designer and illustrator.
Today, Dryden is known as the star designer of the 1920s, whose avant-garde fashion gave Knize its image and also earned it the highest international reputation outside Vienna. He also designed the timelessly elegant company logo, which was inspired by English trademarks, and was generally responsible for advertising for the Knize company.
‘Knize Ten’ – the world's first men's fragrance collection – was launched on the international market. “Ten” is known as the highest score in polo. Polo, the sport of the English aristocracy, was the ultimate symbol of elegance for Wolff and Dryden. Dryden designed the packaging for the “Knize Ten” fragrance line, which still exists today in the same timeless design.
Among the most famous customers were Oskar Kokoschka (who paid for his suits with paintings), Marilyn Monroe, Kurt Tucholsky, Josephine Baker, Marlene Dietrich, Billy Wilder and King Juan Carlos of Spain. Even today, Knize Ten enjoys a large fan base, as it is not only one of the first men's fragrances ever created, but also remains a timeless classic that represents elegant understatement with its subtle leather notes.