Dryden was born on August 3, 1887 to German-Hungarian parents in Vienna. After completing his studies at the Vienna Arts and Craft School, he gained fame as a poster artist in Berlin between 1910 and 1918. Following the First World War, Dryden returned to Vienna and began his career as a fashion designer. He designed for icons of the industry such as Kniže & Comp. men’s fashion and founded his own brand, Hello. In 1926, Dryden moved to Paris to work for the leading German fashion magazine Die Dame. In 1933, he relocated to New York and, after a very successful year 1934, to Hollywood, where he designed costumes for several major film productions and haute couture until his death in 1938.

Dryden was proud, witty, and a raconteur. Respected as a teacher by the younger generation, he was known for his “work and work again” principle. Dryden had a very clear understanding of contemporary fashion and liked to proclaim the rules of his art, often and in a very convincing manner. His maxim was that whoever designed men’s fashion could not be less stylishly dressed himself.

Dryden learned poster art from the masters of his day, among them, such important artists as Gustav Klimt. In 1910, he moved to Berlin, where poster art was in full bloom. Dryden was best known as a fashion expert and his posters had a considerable influence on the fashion world. Just a few years later he could rightly say: “Finally, the elegant Berliners look like my drawings.” In 1915, Dryden was conscripted into the army, served in World War I and received the Iron Cross from Emperor Franz Joseph I for his accomplishments. Dryden moved to Vienna in 1918 after the war.

Soon Dryden returned to his favorite field of activity in Vienna – fashion. From 1921 he worked closely with the men’s outfitter Kniže & Comp. and was instrumental in its rise to become the most elegant men’s clothing brand in Vienna. Together with Fritz Wolff (the owner) and Adolf Loos (the architect), he formed the triumvirate of talents. They worked for such illustrious customers as Empress Elisabeth and the artist Oskar Kokoschka.

Dryden popularized the idea of elegant men’s fashion in Vienna at a time when women’s fashion was preferred in boutiques. This is illustrated by an anecdote. As always, exquisitely dressed Dryden was walking along the Ringstrasse one day when a lady asked him: “Where can you find such elegant suits?” “Nowhere,” Dryden replied, “I designed this one myself.” Through Dryden’s untiring work and innovation, Kniže clothing was soon considered in Vienna to be the ultimate in fashion. Parallel to his work at Kniže, Dryden also established the fashion label Hello, working in a role that would probably be described today as creative director. He not only designed the fashion, but also advertising campaigns, store designs and magazines. With Hello, Dryden succeeded in launching an international brand chosen by customers such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

Dryden’s knowledge of fashion, his ability as an illustrator and his experience in Berlin and Vienna made him the perfect candidate for a key position at Die Dame magazine in Paris. He headed the magazine and designed a wealth of covers and illustrations. Closely connected to the Parisian fashion world, he had access to the design studios of Chanel, Worth and Patou. During these years Dryden further perfected his skills as a designer and fashion connoisseur. In addition to his work at Die Dame, he also designed posters and advertisements for renowned customers such as Bugatti, Cinzano and Vogue.

Dryden was a smash success in New York. He promptly began working for clients like Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Marshall Field & Co and Germaine Monteil. Not only can fashion trends clearly be seen in his sketches, but social change as well. For example, the role of women is reflected not only in the fashion, but also in the poses.

Dryden recognized the most important social change that had begun in New York at that time. People wanted to buy fashion prete a porter and no longer from a custom tailor. And often the most popular designs were inspired by movie costumes. Although tremendously successful, Dryden ended his stint in New York after less than a year and headed to Hollywood.

These exclusive designs are created and executed by Thomas Oláh, a fashion designer entirely according to Dryden’s taste. Similar to Dryden, he works for the film industry and possesses extensive knowledge of fashion history paired with craftsmanship at the highest level.

Designing and crafting these pieces takes time and love. If your interest has been sparked, please contact us. We will send you a proposal for an appointment depending on the waiting list. We are looking forward to designing for you.