Born in Linz, Austria in 1966, Carol Christian Poell was raised within the trade of Gerberlehre, or leather-making. His father, grandfather and uncle all worked in the leather business, finding new ways to, “give life back to leather,” a phrase that Poell would later use to define the aesthetic of one of his collections. At the age of 15.
Shortly after graduating high school, Poell attended the Senior Academy of Commerce and the School of Fashion and Design in Graz, Austria. While living in Graz, Poell was essentially given two choices: Hone his skill in Gerberlehre or pursue tailoring. At that point, he was already an experienced leather-maker with a modest knowledge of tailoring, essentially forcing Poell to pursue the latter.
Although Poell was content with his decision to separate himself from the family business, he found himself dissatisfied after leaving the School of Fashion and Design for The Costume Michelbeuern School for Tailoring and Dressmaking in Vienna. He quickly realized that tailoring in Vienna did not require any sort of university-level education, causing him to pivot his career path one last time towards fashion design. Shortly after, Poell moved to Milan to conclude his academic career at the Domus Academy where would receive his masters in fashion design, meet Sergio Simone and together establish CCP Srl in 1995, CCP’s official production and distribution company.
By 1994, when Poell was set to release his first menswear line
The following season, Spring/Summer 1995-96, Poell released his first full collection, the “1st Intended Collection.” The presentation garnered enthusiastic reactions for Poell’s unique vision. He quickly established a reputation as the most “researched” designer in fashion, a refreshing change of pace applauded by numerous figures in the industry, most notably by then Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld
By 1999, roughly three years after the release his first full collection, Poell was set to release his first women’s offering.
”I am a designer and I want to make real clothes using a series of artisan’s skills.”
