Ever since the creation of his own brand in 1999 (in association with Jutta Kraus), the young man, born 33 years ago in Ulm (Wurtemberg), has created a fantastically beautiful and completely-off-the-wall universe. Bernhard Willhelm started with womenswear, a collection that premiered at the Paris fashion shows in March 1999. He created his first samples for menswear in October 2000, which he wouldn't showcase until January 2003 within the Menswear Fashion Week.
In 1998, graduating from the Royal Academy of Antwerp, Bernhard Willhelm passed from being assistant to Walter Van Beirendonck, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Dirk Bikkembergs. In September 2002, he settled in Paris. Parallel to his collections, from 2002 to 2004, he's successfully directed the italian house of Capucci where he launched their first Prêt-à-Porter collection. His other achievements include a retrospective of his work organised in 2003 by the Ursula Blickle Art Foundation in Germany, alongside the publishing of his book at the Lukas & Sternberd publications in 2004. In 2005, he designed school uniforms for the orphans' aid association, Misericordia. This year he launched his first shoe line, and created the “White Wild Bunch”, a clothing line only available online at YOOX.com. He also received the ANDAM Grand Prize as the most promising talent of the new creative scene.
With his new Men's Spring/Summer 2006 collection, Bernhard Willhelm explores more than ever the concept « Street, Fun, and Chic », wherein we rediscover his love for oversized volumes, flashy colours and surprisingly explosive prints.