Arts Sponsorship

Arts sponsorship at HUGO BOSS: A long-standing tradition

Fashion can be viewed as an interface between individual and society, as an invitation to a conversation between personality and environment. At the same time, it is an expression of artistic creativity. Because of this, support for contemporary art has been an integral part of our corporate culture for more than twenty years.

For HUGO BOSS, the parallels between fashion and art are unmistakable. Both give a person an opportunity to experience himself and his environment in a new and different way, expose him to new ideas and make him more tolerant and open-minded. With this in mind, it is our long-standing objective to foster interaction between fashion and art and inspire a global public dialog.

To this end, we count many internationally renowned museums among our partners. The cooperation with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, launched in 1996, marks a milestone in the company's art engagement. Together with this institution, we award the globally acclaimed HUGO BOSS PRIZE every two years. In 2013, this accolade has been companioned by the HUGO BOSS ASIA ART Award, curated by the Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai. In addition, we regularly support various contemporary art exhibitions and projects.

The manner in which HUGO BOSS is sponsoring the arts is exemplary. On the one hand, it is closely connected to the activities of the company and achieves concrete effects. On the other hand, it respects the line separating business and artistic activity.

Mateo Kries

Milestones

1996 | HUGO BOSS PRIZE

After the start of the global arts program in 1995, the partnership with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation produces the HUGO BOSS PRIZE just one year later. Today, this prize ranks among the most recognized accolades in the world of art. Every two years, HUGO BOSS awards the prize to artists from all around the world whose works open up new perspectives in contemporary art.

Image: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, photo: David M. Heald, © SRGF, New York.

1998 | The paper suit by James Rosenquist

A suit made of paper: In collaboration with the Pop Art Artist James Rosenquist, HUGO BOSS launches a new edition of the paper suit that the artist wore himself at various events in the 1960s. Limited to a 100 copies, the suit is now a collector's item.

1999 | Sylvie Fleury's Formula One Dress

Even art and sports are often more closely tied to each other than one might think at first. Together with Sylvie Fleury, HUGO BOSS develops a hand-tailored Formula One Dress made of fire-resistant fabric and a bright flame lining. The first dress from the limited edition is auctioned off at Serpentine Gallery in London that same year.

2013 – HUGO BOSS ASIA ART AWARD

In order to strengthen the emerging art scene in Asia, HUGO BOSS bestows the first HUGO BOSS ASIA ART Award for the first time. It is designed to foster cultural exchange and to shed new light on contemporary art in China and southeast Asia in particular. The nominated artists are granted the opportunity of presenting their work in a group exhibition at the Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai.

2015 | Sailing yacht "HUGO BOSS"

When art, design and technology meet, groundbreaking innovations come about. Renowned industrial designer Konstantin Grcic, whom HUGO BOSS has already supported in a solo exhibition in the Vitra Design Museum, designs the new cutting-edge sailing yacht "HUGO BOSS" for the sailor Alex Thomson, a top athlete participating in races worldwide.

Arts at a glance

HUGO BOSS PRIZE

The HUGO BOSS PRIZE is awarded every other year. It honors artists whose work makes a significant contribution to the further evolution of contemporary art.

Discover more

HUGO BOSS ASIA ART Award

With this art prize, HUGO BOSS has been supporting emerging Asian artists since 2013, granting them a platform for exhibiting their works at the Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai.

Discover more

Exhibitions and projects

Supporting art exhibitions in order to foster dialog on current topics in society is an integral part of our commitment. For this purpose, HUGO BOSS cooperates with renowned art museums all over the world.

Discover more