Erich Biehle - Biography
Erich Biehle is the most private of designers, yet his creations are world-renowned and have graced the most prestigious global fashion houses such as Balenciaga, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin, Lanvin, Jean Louis Scherrer, Dior, and Ungaro.
Erich Biehle was born in Lucerne in 1941. He studied with Johannes Itten at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHDK) and the Swiss School of Textiles in Zurich from 1958 to 1962. He quickly joined the Zurich silk company Abraham, a pillar of the European textile industry in the 20th century.
As a designer, creative director, and manager, he is also an expert in the design and drawing of luxury fabrics used in haute couture and ready-to-wear.
In the 1970s, Erich Biehle worked for Abraham and numerous brands and houses. In 1976, he joined Givenchy to work directly with Hubert de Givenchy on the conception, design, and development of global licenses. Fifteen years later, in 1991, the Swiss brand Bally International appointed him Creative Director and Vice President of the Board of Directors. Then, from 1996 to 2002, Erich Biehle served as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abraham group, which had companies in Zurich, Paris, and New York.
In June 2014, Erich Biehle was honored for his entire career at Art Basel, receiving the prestigious Grand Prix Design from the Swiss Confederation. In July 2019, Erich Biehle participated in the launch of the BY BIEHLE brand, created by his son. BY BIEHLE designs and manufactures silk scarves for high-end events.
