Kniže & Comp.

Kniže & Comp. is a traditional Viennese fashion house founded in 1858 by the Czech tailor Josef Kniže. The business began as a specialist maker of sportswear, riding clothes, and liveries before developing into a court-linked tailor and luxury men's outfitter. It is often described as one of the earliest men's fashion brands in the modern sense, combining made-to-measure clothing, retail, design, and branded toiletries under one name. The company established its reputation in nineteenth-century Vienna through royal, aristocratic, sporting, and institutional clients. It received a Progress Medal at the 1873 Vienna World's Fair and was granted permission to use Persian and Ottoman court designations. In 1888, after an earlier unsuccessful application, the firm received the designation of k.k. Court Tailor. Following Josef Kniže's death, ownership passed through his family and later to Albert Wolff and his heirs. From 1904 the business operated under the name Kniže & Comp. The house's visual and architectural identity was shaped during the Belle Époque. Its principal Vienna premises at Graben 13 were designed between 1910 and 1913 by Adolf Loos, one of the most influential architects of Viennese modernism. The interior and salons became an important expression of the brand's restrained luxury and have remained closely associated with its identity. Loos and his collaborators also designed or influenced several former international branches, including locations in Karlovy Vary, Berlin, Paris, and Prague. Kniže expanded beyond tailoring during the twentieth century. Lingerie production began in 1915, and a men's retail operation was introduced in 1922. During the same period, advertising consultant Ernst Dryden helped develop the company's fashion image and connected its polo-inspired aesthetic with Knize Ten, an exclusive men's toiletries and fragrance range. The name referred to polo's highest handicap rating. Knize Ten became the house's best-known fragrance creation and an important extension of its tailoring identity. The business was severely disrupted by political persecution and war. In 1935 the company name was changed to Wolff-Knize under Fritz Wolff-Knize. After the Anschluss of Austria in 1938, the Jewish Wolff family was persecuted and emigrated first to Paris and then to New York. The New York business, operating under the name Knize, opened a store on 56th Street in 1941. The Vienna operation continued during the war under employee management as Kniže & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, while the Berlin branch was destroyed. After 1945, the company lost its branches in Karlovy Vary and Prague as a result of the political division of Central Europe. The Paris branch closed in 1972 and the New York store in 1974. From the mid-1970s, Rudolf Niedersüß became involved in the business. His company, C. M. Frank, merged with Kniže & Comp. in 1978, and a women's collection was subsequently introduced. Later developments included a men's store on Bräunerstrasse, expansion of the Graben premises, renovation of the historic Loos salons, and the creation of a neighboring women's store in former Krey bookstore premises. Bernhard Niedersüß joined the company in the early 1990s, and a Prague branch reopened in 2012. Kniže's historical clientele included European aristocrats, political figures, business leaders, actors, artists, and entertainers. Documented associations include the last Shah of Iran, Oskar Kokoschka, Marilyn Monroe, Kurt Tucholsky, Josephine Baker, James Dean, Marlene Dietrich, Georgia O'Keeffe, Laurence Olivier, Fritz Lang, Billy Wilder, and King Juan Carlos of Spain. These associations, together with its court-tailor history, architectural heritage, and continuing emphasis on bespoke clothing, position Kniže as a heritage luxury outfitter rooted in Vienna rather than as a mass-market fashion label.

Josef Kniže founded the business in Vienna in 1858 as a tailoring concern specializing in sportswear, riding clothes, and liveries. Its early clientele included aristocratic houses, sporting organizations, and members of European ruling families. The firm received a Progress Medal at the 1873 Vienna World's Fair and later obtained permission to use Persian and Ottoman court designations. Although an application for the title of Viennese court supplier was initially refused in 1886, the company received the designation of k.k. Court Tailor in 1888. After Josef Kniže's death, his son Josef Jr. and Johann Kallina operated the store. Albert Wolff joined the firm in 1885 and became sole proprietor in 1888. After Wolff died in 1902, his widow Gisela and their children took over. The business adopted the name Kniže & Comp. in 1904. Its defining architectural period followed soon afterward. Adolf Loos designed the principal Graben 13 premises between 1910 and 1913, creating an interior that became central to the house's restrained, modernist luxury. Further locations in Karlovy Vary, Berlin, Paris, and Prague were designed by Loos or his collaborator Heinrich Kulka. The company broadened its activities in the early twentieth century. It introduced lingerie production in 1915 and men's retailing in 1922. Advertising consultant Ernst Dryden helped shape a polo-related visual identity and connected that image to Knize Ten, a men's fragrance and toiletries line. The number ten alluded to the highest handicap in polo. Knize Ten became the most recognizable product extension of the tailoring house. The Nazi period brought dispossession, persecution, migration, and operational disruption. In 1935 the company was renamed Wolff-Knize under Fritz Wolff-Knize. Following the 1938 Anschluss, the Jewish Wolff family left Austria, moving first to Paris and then to New York. The New York operation established a store on 56th Street in 1941. During the war, the Vienna business was managed by employees under the name Kniže & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, while the Berlin branch was destroyed. After the war, Kniže lost its Karlovy Vary and Prague branches because of the Iron Curtain. The Paris branch closed in 1972, followed by the New York branch in 1974. Rudolf Niedersüß acquired a share from 1976, and his company C. M. Frank merged with Kniže & Comp. in 1978. A women's collection was added during this period. The company later opened a men's store on Bräunerstrasse, expanded the Graben store, and renovated its historic salons. Paolo Piva led work on the second floor and Loos interiors in 1992–1993, while adjacent premises were adapted for women's retailing. Bernhard Niedersüß joined the business during this period. A Prague branch was reopened in 2012. The brand's historical reputation rests on bespoke tailoring, court and aristocratic patronage, cultural associations, and the survival of its Viennese architectural setting. Its documented clients have included the Shah of Iran, artists, actors, writers, entertainers, and European royalty. The available reference material does not establish a current corporate owner, executive structure, website, or detailed contemporary operating footprint.

• 2012

  Prague branch reopened

  [1]Kniže & Comp.en.wikipedia.org

  Kniže returns to Prague with a reopened branch.

• 1992

  Historic Vienna interiors renovated

  [1]Kniže & Comp.en.wikipedia.org

  Paolo Piva renovates the second floor and historic Loos salons, while adjacent premises are adapted for women's retail.

• 1978

  C. M. Frank merger

  [1]Kniže & Comp.en.wikipedia.org

  Rudolf Niedersüß's company C. M. Frank merges with Kniže & Comp.; a women's collection is introduced.

• 1941

  New York store established

  [1]Kniže & Comp.en.wikipedia.org

  The emigrated business establishes a Knize store on 56th Street in New York.

• 1938

  Wolff family forced into exile

  [1]Kniže & Comp.en.wikipedia.org

  Following the Anschluss, the Jewish Wolff family is persecuted and leaves Austria.

• 1922

  Men's retail operation launched

  [1]Kniže & Comp.en.wikipedia.org

  Kniže adds retailing for men's clothing and works with advertising consultant Ernst Dryden.

• 1915

  Lingerie production introduced

  [1]Kniže & Comp.en.wikipedia.org

  The company expands its clothing production into lingerie.

• 1910

  Adolf Loos designs the Graben premises

  [1]Kniže & Comp.en.wikipedia.org

  Work begins on the company's landmark Vienna store at Graben 13, designed by Adolf Loos.

• 1904

  Name Kniže & Comp. adopted

  [1]Kniže & Comp.en.wikipedia.org

  The business begins operating under the Kniže & Comp. name after the Wolff family assumes control.

• 1888

  Court tailor designation granted

  [1]Kniže & Comp.en.wikipedia.org

  Kniže receives the designation of k.k. Court Tailor after an earlier unsuccessful application.

• 1873

  Progress Medal at the Vienna World's Fair

  [1]Kniže & Comp.en.wikipedia.org

  The firm receives a Progress Medal at the Vienna World's Fair.

• 1858

  Business founded in Vienna

  [1]Kniže & Comp.en.wikipedia.org

  Josef Kniže establishes a tailoring business specializing in sportswear, riding clothes, and liveries.

A heritage Viennese luxury outfitter centered on bespoke tailoring, formalwear, architectural legacy, court-supplier history, and discreet service. Its brand world combines traditional craftsmanship with a modernist Vienna identity and extends into the Knize Ten men's fragrance line.

• Menswear · 1858

  Bespoke men's tailoring

  The house's core activity is made-to-measure men's clothing, including suits, formalwear, and historically documented tailcoats. Kniže's reputation was built on individual fitting, traditional tailoring, and service to aristocratic, court, artistic, and business clients. The Vienna salons and long association with formal dress remain central to its heritage positioning.

• Specialist clothing · 1858

  Sportswear, riding clothes, and liveries

  Josef Kniže began by making practical and ceremonial garments for sporting and equestrian use. Riding clothes, sportswear, and liveries established the technical foundation of the business before it developed into a broader luxury outfitter. The early specialization also connected the firm to aristocratic estates, clubs, and polo-related imagery.

• Fragrance and men's toiletries · 1922

  Knize Ten

  Knize Ten is the house's best-known fragrance and toiletries range for men. Its identity was shaped in the 1920s with advertising consultant Ernst Dryden, who associated the line with polo and an exclusive sporting lifestyle. The name refers to the highest handicap rating in polo, linking the product to the brand's established equestrian and aristocratic associations.

• Womenswear · 1978

  Women's collection

  A women's collection was introduced after the 1978 merger with C. M. Frank. Later retail development included a dedicated women's store created from neighboring former bookstore premises near the historic Vienna location. The available reference material does not specify the collection's current assortment or scale.

• 1992

  Renovation and retail expansion in ViennaStrategy

  Background

  The company sought to preserve its historic architectural identity while adapting the premises for expanded retail activity.

  Action taken

  Paolo Piva renovated the second floor and Loos salons, and neighboring premises were adapted into a women's store.

  Aftermath

  The project reinforced the Graben location as both a functioning store and a significant example of Viennese modernist commercial interiors.

  Source

• 1978

  Merger with C. M. FrankM&A

  Background

  Rudolf Niedersüß had taken a share in Kniže from 1976, creating a path for closer integration with his existing company.

  Action taken

  C. M. Frank merged with Kniže & Comp.

  Aftermath

  The combined business introduced a women's collection and continued the modernization of the historic Vienna house.

  Source

• 1922

  Expansion into men's retail and Knize TenProduct launch

  Background

  The company was broadening beyond workshop tailoring while seeking a distinctive luxury identity for a wider men's clientele.

  Action taken

  Kniže introduced men's retailing and developed the Knize Ten men's fragrance and toiletries line with advertising consultant Ernst Dryden.

  Aftermath

  The fragrance line became a durable extension of the tailoring house and remains one of its most recognizable branded offerings.

  Source

1. 1Kniže & Comp.en.wikipedia.org