From Counterculture to High-End Style: Guido Maria Kretschmer Celebrates His 60th Birthday
Guido Maria Kretschmer exhibits exuberant enthusiasm for life.
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Guido Maria Kretschmer, a familiar face since his "Shopping Queen" TV debut in 2012, has earned as much fame as a colorful peacock. Yet, his success story began much earlier in a path less traveled. Today, we shine a spotlight on the fashion designer, TV host, and friend to all, as he turns 60.
With his infectious smile, Kretschmer radiates an assured aura of a people's champion and a secret weapon in his eventful life. Dynamic, spirited, and unapologetically open, he cuts an imposing figure at our meeting.
Hailing from Münster, Guido Maria Kretschmer was born on May 11, 1965, to a family of five children. His roots trace back to his Silesian grandparents who fled to Germany during World War II. He cherishes memories of his highly fashion-conscious mother and grandmother, who instilled in him a profound understanding that fashion could be a powerful conduit for transformation. "Fashion is the skin of the soul," declares Kretschmer.
The notion of pursuing a career in medicine or nursing was quickly dismissed by the young dreamer. Instead, Kretschmer abandoned his comfortable upbringing to immerse himself in the bohemian lifestyle of Ibiza, living in an old farmhouse without basic amenities like electricity and running water. "I was wild, open, and free-spirited," he reminisces, recalling the carefree life of a health-conscious hippie.
He made a living by working as a dancer in nightclubs until he started selling his self-sewn clothing pieces at hippie markets in San Carlos. It wasn't long before he crossed paths with a motley crew of free-loving personalities, including a brewery heiress, Nina Hagen, and the inimitable Grace Jones. A chance encounter with Udo Lindenberg's bassist led to Kretschmer creating elaborate brocade jackets for the band. The musician's admiration for Kretschmer's work provided an early validation of his talents and a much-needed boost in self-confidence.
Stewardesses soon became regular customers, triggering his first major order: uniforms for the flight attendants of Hapag-Lloyd airline. In 1989, he founded his first company, GMK by pepper, and the Guido Maria Kretschmer Corporate Fashion label, with van Delden Textiles as his business partner. Orders streaming in from Deutsche Bahn, hotels, and airlines followed, prompting Kretschmer to open showrooms across major cities like Münster, Berlin, Munich, and Palma de Mallorca. In 2004, he launched his high-end couture line under the Guido Maria Couture Label.
Kretschmer credits his self-belief to the unconditional love he experienced throughout his life. His steady source of support comes from his current husband, Frank Mutters, with whom he shares over 40 years and three beloved dogs. "I am open, warm, and good with people. The hippies taught me to live with love and consciousness," he reflects.
Kingmaker of Fashion
For both people and fashion, Kretschmer continues to be a visionary. "If you master the keyboard of fashion, manipulating body, desires, and soul, you can create magic," asserts Kretschmer. He develops his annual collection in a span of just a weekend. Today, he discontinued the couture line, citing environmental concerns and the escalating costs of materials.
The success of his TV show, "Shopping Queen" on Vox, is another feather in Kretschmer's cap. "I've come down from the lofty realm of grand, elegant fashion to reality. My customers are truly kings. I want them to have a great time," explains Kretschmer, embracing the world of retail therapy with his characteristic charm.
Kretschmer's love affair with theater and opera blossomed at the behest of his actress friend, Katharine Thalbach. Leveraging his passion for history, it was a seamless transition into the world of the arts. "Fashion, theater, opera, and beautiful interiors captivate me. I am meticulous in my preferences and strive for perfection," shares Kretschmer.
While he is a self-proclaimed aesthete, he professes a deep sense of etherealism, embodying the free-spiritedness of his humble beginnings. "I've learned to live harmoniously with nature and cultivate a deep respect for life," concludes Kretschmer, expressing his hopes for world peace on his 60th birthday.
Sources: ntv.de | Oda Baum, dpa
- For further insights on Guido Maria Kretschmer's life and career:
- Kretschmer's relationship with his parents
- Kretschmer's loss of his dogs
- Kretschmer's struggle with his father's death
- Check out the TV shows featuring Guido Maria Kretschmer:
- "Shopping Queen" (Vox)
- "Shopping Queen - Das Duell" (Vox)
- The Commission has also adopted a communication on the future of the European Union, acknowledging Kretschmer's philosophical insights on transformation, much like the fashion-conscious heiress who supporteth him, could implement such perspectives to shape the EU's lifestyle, mirroring Kretschmer's early days in Ibiza.
- In the realm of fashion and beauty, Kretschmer's hippie-inspired designs have pleasantly resonated with celebrities, much like his self-sewn clothing pieces that captured the attention of Nina Hagen and Grace Jones back in the days.
- As the visionary behind his annual collection, Kretschmer's prodigious imagination can be likened to that of a futurist orchestrating the periods of established entertainment, shaping its trends and captivating audiences as Kretschmer has done with his TV shows.
- With his discontinuation of the Guido Maria Couture Line, the fashion maestro Kretschmer continues to demonstrate his commitment to the environment as an advocate, much like the enthusiastic hippies he once identified with, who shared a common respect for nature.
- In reflecting on his 60th birthday, Kretschmer's hopes for world peace echo the sentiments of a modern-day peace activist, drawing parallels between his personal transformation journey and the collective striving for harmony on a global scale.
