Chapter 1
For Esthethes There Is Still Hope
In 1997, from his living room in Zurich, Patrick Peritz established design agency F.E.T.I.S.H. (fet·ish also fet·ich (fet’ish, fe’tish): An object of unreasonably excessive attention or reverence). Having first studied economics, Patrick acquired production experience in China. After a short time employed as a product manager, he took the risky decision to manage the product development of a small snowboard brand – and learned how to draw at the same time. Combining an economics background with a zest for creativity Patrick believed in his recipe for success. To expand on F.E.T.I.S.H. and its potential, Patrick opened up the company’s services to other brands. As one of the first design companies to work with computers to develop tech packs, the business grew fast. Within a short time, F.E.T.I.S.H. began to hire people with a good design background. One of the first Brands F.E.T.I.S.H was involved is ZIMTSTERN, the most authentic swiss snowboard company. This two young companies grew together for nearly 5 years.
November 1999 saw the next important step in the evolution of F.E.T.I.S.H. On design and production trips to other continents, the crews from F.E.T.I.S.H. saw many great brands that had never been offered to the fashion crowd in Europe. To facilitate their entry to Zurich, the design network opened a ‘brand laboratory’ via a shop called THE GLOSS, a high-level street-wear shop. Again and again The F.e.t.i.s.h. discovered new labels: The GLOSS was the first shop offering CHEAP MONDAY outside of Sweden, thanks Mats, RVCA is sold in the GLOSS already more than 3 years, also Creative Recreation was brought to Europe by the first time by Patrick. THE GLOSS offers F.E.T.I.S.H. a useful side-effect: Since most of its labels are brands from innovators for innovators, F.E.T.I.S.H. has access to these fresh looks, combined with a commercial check via the stores. Since early October 07 F.E.T.I.S.H. has a new adoptive daughter. The exclusive Streetwear Boutique Grand is part of the F.E.T.I.S.H. family. Grand Boutique strikes back with uncompromising Streetwear. Determinedly Grand Boutique carries labels originating in the skateboarding / street culture. Labels launched by design luminaries and artists, influencing and living the Zeitgeist of contemporary Streetwear. The range includes Japanese labels such as Visvim, Neighborhood, Idiom . Straight out of the US, Grand presents the most exclusive Nike sneakers and slickest clothing, whose special collections evolve from collaboration with the hottest hip artists. But insiders will also find labels like WOOD WOOD, PAM, MAIDEN NOIR, CAMO, ORIGINAL FAKE, COMME DES GARCONS PLAY, OPENING CEREMONY. A multitude of items are only available at Grand. And finally F.E.T.I.S.H. has his own little gallery, Grand Gallery.
F.E.T.I.S.H. worked on projects with the world’s leading brands in snowboard/freeski outerwear (BURTON, QUIKSILVER, VANS, DC, VÖLKL…), street-wear brands (CARHARTT, EASTPAK, QWST, ZOO YORK, FREITAG…) and some outdoor brands (THE NORTH FACE, MAMMUT…). Fashion, Skate, Surf and Snow is the F.E.T.I.S.H. territory. For this target market the specialists work on all kinds of products: outerwear, t-shirts, knitwear, gloves, shoes, bags, POS systems, toys, catalogues. The F.E.T.I.S.H.ists are invited to consult brands based in Europe, USA and Japan.
Chapter 2
Design Agency F.e.t.i.s.h. decided to go Grand!
Founder Patrick Peritz has decided to partner with long time employees Mirko Noser and Philipp Michel. The One Man show now has become a real dream team. Together with the structural changes they have decided to change the name. F.e.t.i.s.h. to Grand Studio Ltd.
Mirko Noser will be responsible for all graphic related concepts and works. The graphic department now includes 5 graphic designers. Patrick Peritz as senior partner will be responsible for strategic consulting. After 14 years of maturing and hundreds of successful projects, it’s finally time to raise the ante and move to an even higher professional level. F.e.t.i.s.h. has grown from a bunch of creative guys to a real creative hub, now called Grand Studio with lots of grand services to offer. Grand aims to create as much devotion to fashion and design as possible. We believe For Esthetes There Is Still Hope!
Chapter 3
Grand Studio goes east.
In the spring of 2012 Grand Studio Asia has been set up in China, namely in the heart of Shanghai’s French Concession neighborhood. Over the past decade, Shanghai has become Asia’s thriving fashion metropolis and is therefore the perfect place for expanding.
Chapter 4
The journey continues.
With a strong team of 15 designers, operating across the 2 international offices in Shanghai & Zurich, Patrick & Mirko are continuing to manifest their credo of combining technical sportswear design with contemporary fashionable aesthetics- a vision they’ve had since the very beginnings.
The ’hands on’, targeted -and personal- client / agency relationships are now being further supported by the set up of our branch ‘Grand Supply Ltd.’: offering prototyping, research & development, soft goods production and supply chain management.
Being constantly challenged to ‘re-invent’ ourselves as the ‘original’ sportswear design agency established 25 years ago, Grand is investing in ’The (Mountain) Studio’ -together with the founders of Peak Performance- creating an innovative, state-of-the-art performance Ski- & Outdoor brand.