Joop

German fashion designer, Wolfgang Joop is the namesake founder of the fashion and cosmetics company, was born in 1944. After completing his studies at the Wilhelm Gymnasium high school in Braunschweig, at his father's insistence, Joop began college with the study of advertising psychology. However, disinterested in this career path he dropped-out, began working as a restaurateur and became involved in the art world. He began formal art studies, in 1968, which he also never completed. he has two daughters: fashion and jewelry designer Jette Joop and Florentine Joop. His design career began in earnest when he participated in a fashion competition sponsored by the German magazine, Constance, and won all top three prizes. He went on to become a fashion editor at the women's magazine, Neue Mode, and in 1971 he left to work independently as a freelance journalist and designer. In the early 80s, he debuted his first Pret-a-porter women's collection, followed by his first men's collection. He was awarded a number of prestigious fashion accolades. With the launch of his namesake JOOP! perfume, clothes, shoes, jewelry and eyeglasses collections on an international scale, Joop became recognized as a true fashion star and is considered on par with his iconic German compatriot Jil Sander.

In 1987, the launch of his first highly successful namesake perfume collection. The collection is also noted for its popular aftershave products. The fragrance product line for men began with JOOP! Homme eau de toilette and aftershave, and then expanded to include: JOOP! Jump For Him eau de toilette and aftershave, JOOP! Rococo for Men eau de toilette, JOOP! Go For Him aftershave, JOOP! Joop For Him eau de toilette, Joop! Nightflight eau de toilette, and JOOP! What About Adam For Him eau de toilette. And for women, the scents include JOOP! Femme eau de toilette, JOOP! Jette For Her eau de toilette & JOOP! Rococo for Women Eau de Parfum.

Wolfgang sold the vast majority of the shares in his Hamburg-based company in 1998, and in 2001, sold the remaining. The brand is no longer produced by its namesake company, but rather is exclusively licensed out. His many interests outside of fashion include illustration, art collecting, philanthropy, and writing. In 1999, he established the Wunderkind Art label, which debuted internationally in New York in 2004.