Fashion Designer Claude Montana was born in 1949 in Paris to a German mother and Catalanian (Spanish) father. At an early age, he traveled to London (1971) and began his career by designing papier-m‰che jewelry encrusted with rhinestones. He soon returned to Paris, where he designed biker's leathers for the MacDouglas leather company (1972). In 1973, he designed a ready-to-wear leather collection in collaboration with Michelle Costas.
Montana's own ready-to-wear company was founded in 1979, and two years he later presented his first collection, Hommes Montana. He opened his first boutique in Paris in 1983, and another in 1986. The Montana Fragrances Company was created in 1984.
Montana designed haute couture for the House of Lanvin 1990-92, where he won two consecutive Golden Thimble awards. Unfortunately, his designs were considered too bold for the more traditional Lanvin customer, and Montana was replaced by Dominique Morlotti. Lanvin was unable to produce another successful haute couture collection.
Montana, who greatly admired Mme.Gres (1910-1993) as a couturiere, specializes in strong colors, monochromatic fabrics, and lots of leather and wool. His classic and structural pantsuits feature razor-sharp tailoring and strong silhouettes with dramatic proportions. In addition to his own lines, Montana currently designs men's wear for Complice, an Italian company.
Montana married long-time friend Wallis Franken in 1993.
He is a member of the Chambre Syndicale du Pret-a-Porter, the French trade association for the fashion industry.
