Willy Bogner began as a ski racer, became known as a filmmaker and, as a designer and businessman, shaped the Munich brand Bogner. Here you can find out who is behind the name, what the brand stands for, what Willy Bogner has to do with James Bond and which Bogner glasses you can find in the shop.
Key points at a glance
- Bogner is a ski fashion and sportswear brand from Munich. Willy Bogner Senior founded the company in 1932.
- His son Willy Bogner Junior (born 1942) was a ski racer, took part in the Winter Olympics in 1960 and 1964 and later designed ski fashion himself.
- As a cameraman he was responsible for the ski scenes in several James Bond films. His film Fire and Ice (1986) was the model for the Fire + Ice line.
- Current Bogner glasses are in the product module below. Models and colours change.
What is Bogner? Origin and key facts about the company
Bogner is a German ski fashion and sportswear brand based in Munich. It was founded in 1932 by Willy Bogner Senior, himself a skier. Bogner is still known for ski fashion that combines a sporty look with elegance. The name is also used for eyewear.
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Origin | Munich, Germany |
| Founded | 1932 by Willy Bogner Senior |
| Best-known figure after him | Willy Bogner Junior (born 1942) |
| Known for | Ski fashion, sporty elegance, winter sports films |
| Youth line | Fire + Ice (launched 1989) |
Who is the designer behind Bogner? Willy Bogner biography in brief
Willy Bogner Junior was born in Munich in 1942. His full name is Wilhelm Hermann Björn Bogner, but everyone calls him Willy (you will also see the spellings Willi and Willie). He grew up in a skiing family: his father, Willy Bogner Senior, was a skier and founded the company.
As a young man he competed himself. He won several German championships and took part in the Winter Olympics in 1960 and 1964. After his racing career he joined his father’s ski clothing company and began designing ski fashion himself. That is how the athlete became the designer who shaped the Bogner brand.
In 1972 he married Brazilian-born Sônia Ribeiro. Together they steered the brand more towards elegant sportswear. In the 1980s, colourful down jackets and close-fitting ski suits stood for the Bogner look.
Willy Bogner and James Bond: ski scenes and the film Fire and Ice
Willy Bogner was also a cameraman and filmmaker. He was behind the ski scenes in several James Bond films: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), For Your Eyes Only (1981) and A View to a Kill (1985). For the shots in the first of these films, he reportedly skied backwards down the slope on special skis to get unusual camera angles.
In 1986 his own ski film Fire and Ice (German title Feuer und Eis) came out, combining ski footage with a driving soundtrack. It is regarded as the template for the youth line Fire + Ice, which launched in 1989.
The Bogner style: sporty, elegant, with a retro touch
Bogner combines sportswear with elegance. The 1980s were one of Willy Bogner’s most creative periods, so the retro look of that decade keeps returning in the brand’s fashion.
Glasses are the detail that completes a look. Which frame suits you depends on your face shape, skin tone and daily life. Our guide What Glasses Suit Me? Find Your Type in Five Steps helps you choose.
Bogner glasses in the shop
Right now the shop has models such as Bogner 61012, 61013, 63007, 63040, 65000, 66015 and 66016. Which colours are available is shown on each product page. These are prescription frames: you can order them with lenses in your prescription. You can see all models of the brand on the page Bogner glasses.
Bogner 61012 4945£163.72
Bogner 61013 4672£153.79
Bogner 61013 4591£153.79
Bogner 61011 4817£163.72
Bogner 61012 6385£163.72
Bogner 61012 4711£163.72
Bogner 66015 6500£172.22
Bogner 62014 4856£124.65Frequently asked questions about Willy Bogner and Bogner
Who founded Bogner?
Willy Bogner Senior founded the brand in Munich in 1932. His son Willy Bogner Junior, who became known as a ski racer, filmmaker and designer, made it famous.
What is Willy Bogner’s full name?
Wilhelm Hermann Björn Bogner, but everyone calls him Willy. To tell him apart from his father, people say Willy Bogner Junior.
Does Bogner make ski goggles or ski sunglasses?
Bogner is best known for ski fashion. The Bogner glasses in our selection are prescription frames for everyday wear, not ski goggles. What matters in ski goggles is explained in our guide How to choose ski goggles.
What does Willy Bogner do today?
Here we stick to established key facts: ski racer, designer, filmmaker and businessman. For current information on his roles, please check with the Bogner group itself.
