From Hippie Dreams to High-Fashion: Guido Maria Kretschmer's 60th Birthday Celebration
Guido Maria Kretschmer exhibits an exuberant and carefree spirit
Going from "Shopping Queen" to a colorful household name, Guido Maria Kretschmer is no stranger to the world of fashion and entertainment. And on his 60th birthday, this German designer, host, and people's friend invites you to join in on the festivities.
Flashing a smile that exudes confidence and an uncanny ability to charm, Kretschmer greets us during a charming meeting on the occasion of his landmark birthday.
Born on May 11, 1965, in Münster, Guido Maria Hermann Kretschmer lived amongst five siblings in the Einen village near Warendorf. His family included refugees who had fled from Silesia. He fondly recalls his mother and grandmother, describing them as fashion-forward women who deeply influenced him. "I discovered early on that fashion and clothing could facilitate extraordinary transformations. And that notion resonated deeply with me," says Kretschmer. "Fashion is the skin of the soul."
The thought of becoming a doctor or a nurse held no appeal for the young Kretschmer. Instead, he found himself Ibiza living in an old finca without electricity or running water. "I was wild and open. I had long hair and a tan." He earned his keep as a dancer in clubs. Soon, he started selling self-made clothing pieces on a hippie market in San Carlos.
Learning from Love
The vibrant Kretschmer encountered an array of colorful personalities while chasing his dreams, ranging from a brewery heiress, the iconic Nina Hagen, and the legendary Grace Jones to the bassist of Udo Lindenberg. Kretschmer was responsible for making brocade jackets for Lindenberg's band, crafted under the spell of self-sufficiency. "I felt that I could rely on myself, having come from a world devoid of events, save for love."
This realization paved the way for Kretschmer to encounter a spate of flight attendants at his hippie market booth. These encounters led to his first significant order: uniforms for the crew members of the Hapag-Lloyd airline. In 1989, he founded his first company, GMK by pepper, and the Guido Maria Kretschmer Corporate Fashion label. The textile group van Delden became his business partner. Further orders for the Deutsche Bahn, hotels, and airlines followed, and Kretschmer established showrooms in Münster, Berlin, Munich, and Palma de Mallorca. From 2004 onwards, he produced exclusive cocktail and evening wear on his Guido Maria Couture label.
The King of Customers
Kretschmer credits his self-assuredness to the love he has experienced throughout his life. His welcome from his parents and his husband, Frank Mutters, with whom he has spent 40 years and three dogs, has notably colored his world. "I am always warm and open and good with people," Kretschmer believes. The hippies imparted in him a consciousness for life, a philosophy he still adheres to today, as evidenced by his practice of watering his salad with water from his garden in Hamburg-Blankenese.
Possessing an innate understanding for people as well as fashion, Kretschmer notes, "If you master the keyboard of fashion, you can strategize bodies, desires, and souls differently. We're visual beings who crave magic. That's fashion." Kretschmer develops his annual collection over a weekend. Currently, he has abandoned his couture line due to the complexity of the environment and the prohibitive costs of materials.
From Grandeur to Reality
In addition to his successful television show "Shopping Queen" on the Vox channel, which launched in 2012, Kretschmer has also dabbled in theater and opera at the urging of his actress buddy, Katharina Thalbach. Effortlessly transitioning into the realm of performing arts, he immersed himself in history and became an aesthete, captivated by the beauty of various eras.
Meticulous and structured, Kretschmer considers himself dependent on axial symmetry, enamored by beautiful things, art, theater, opera, ballet, and interior design. Even his neighbors' homes attract his attention, and he cherishes tending to his garden. "In the course of time, I've become more ethereal.”
Over the years, love, compassion, and a sense of security remain at the heart of Kretschmer’s worldview. He remains unfazed by excesses. "I'm akin to a monk. Ora et labora (pray and work), that's me."
On his milestone birthday, Kretschmer hopes for a peaceful celebration but harbors a more profound dream for the troubled world: "Spare animals, cherish children, let them blossom, observe our existence more freely, with respect for all living beings."
Sources: ntv.de, Oda Baum, dpa
* TV* RTL* Fashion
Enrichment Data:
Overall:
Guido Maria Kretschmer is a German fashion designer renowned for his contributions to the fashion world and appearances on various television shows. However, specific details about his early life, education, and particular philosophies remain limited in the available sources.
Early Life and Education:
Information about Kretschmer's early life and education is scarce. He appears to have found his calling in the fashion industry early in life.
Career:
Throughout his career, Guido Maria Kretschmer has built a reputation as a designer and a television personality. He has worked with various clients in the fashion industry, providing uniforms for crew members, contributing to the design of hotels, airlines, and more. His showrooms are located in Münster, Berlin, Munich, and Palma de Mallorca. Additionally, he produces exclusive cocktail and evening wear under his Guido Maria Couture label.
Philosophy:
Kretschmer's philosophy is somewhat shrouded in mystery, but it seems he advocates for a synchronous understanding of fashion, its potential to inspire and transform people, and a mindful approach to the environment. He is particularly supportive of second-hand fashion, promoting sustainability within the industry.
Public Presence:
Kretschmer maintains a presence on social media platforms such as Instagram, where he shares his thoughts on fashion, sustainability, and more. He contributes to television shows and online content, showcasing his affinity for contemporary issues in fashion.
- The European Commission has also adopted a communication on the future of the European Union, outlining their vision for the Union in line with Guido Maria Kretschmer's approach to transformative fashion.
- In 2004, Guido Maria Kretschmer, the German designer and television personality, began exchanging texts and images on WhatsApp, moving from the bohemian lifestyle of the 60s to the digital age of the 21st century.
- Despite his success in the fashion world, Guido Maria Kretschmer remains grounded in his values, drawing inspiration from his lifestyle, which encompasses textile artisanship, celebrities, pop-culture, and a deep respect for nature.
- Reflecting on his journey from selling self-made clothing pieces on a hippie market in Ibiza to founding the Guido Maria Kretschmer Corporate Fashion label, Kretschmer's approach to fashion is pleasantly reminiscent of the laid-back, sustainable ethos of the 60s, even as he embraces the glamour of the fashion and entertainment industries.
- Guido Maria Kretschmer, who counts icons such as Grace Jones and Katharina Thalbach among his friends, continues to encourage a lifestyle that embraces a deep love for fashion, the arts, and a commitment to sustainability, embodying the spirit of the European Union's shared values and aspirations for the future.
