Matthäus Stern Continues Kitzbühel's Leather Tradition
Hans Frauenschuh GmbH, a long-standing leather goods business in Kitzbühel, is now run by the third generation. The company maintains its focus on high-quality, locally crafted leather products.
Kitzbühel's Hans Frauenschuh GmbH, a business known for its tradition, quality, and attention to detail, continues its operations. The company has been a cornerstone of craftsmanship in the region for over seventy years.
Matthäus Stern, 31, now leads the family business alongside his aunt, Elisabeth Frauenschuh. The enterprise was initially founded as a tannery by his grandparents in the late 1940s, with a primary focus on the craft itself and the materials.
Despite originally studying law, Stern has gradually transitioned into the family business. He is currently responsible for logistics, purchasing, and quality control of the hides, particularly the chamois-tanned deer leather which is the workshop's main material.
Dirndl dresses hold a special place in the collection, representing Elisabeth Frauenschuh's passion project. These feature a unique pattern combining tradition with clean, timeless lines. Fabrics are carefully selected, predominantly from Austrian weavers, and all garments are exclusively made in Austria by hand.
The product range has expanded over the decades to include furniture, a venture Stern personally oversees. However, the underlying philosophy remains consistent: to create enduring clothing and pieces, described by Stern as 'timeless elegance.' Kitzbühel itself is characterized by Stern as a blend of classic, sophisticated, and beautiful nature, a reflection found in the company's products.