Werner G. Scharff

Werner G. Scharff (July 7, 1916 – August 17, 2006) was a German-American arts patron, fashion designer,[1][2] and land developer. He was co-founder and chairman of Lanz Incorporated, a designer and manufacturer of dresses and nightgowns.[3] The Lanz flannel granny nightgown became a staple of women's nightwear in the late-1950s.[4] As a large landowner, Scharff has been called a pioneer of Venice Beach in Los Angeles for contributing to the development and expansion of the city.[5] His investments include the Cadillac Hotel, Beach House on Ocean Front Walk, L.A. Louver, and James Beach Cafe.[6]

Werner Scharff
BornJuly 7, 1916
Landau, Germany
DiedAugust 17, 2006 (aged 90)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.

Early life

Scharff was born in Landau, Germany, the youngest of three brothers. His father, a grocer, died when he Scharff was 10, forcing him to leave school and join the family's grocery business. By age 20, Scharff, with the family business failing, Scharff used his savings to move with his brother Kurt to New York City in 1937,[7] arriving as political refugees.

Career

Once in New York, Scharff and his brother partnered with Austrian retailer Sepp Lanz, an émigré, in his Austrian-style clothes and sleepwear retail store. Scharff soon discovered there was a demand for the clothing line in California.[8] In 1938, the Scharffs and Lanz relocated to Los Angeles to open a store location on Wilshire Boulevard, specializing in Austrian-inspired ski clothing and sleepwear. When American film actress Hedy Lamarr wore their clothes in the film Ziegfeld Girl, the company received film credits, which gave the Lanz line national attention.

In 1946, the Scharff brothers bought the business from Lanz and focused on manufacturing. The same year, Scharff encouraged nearby clothing retailers to sell their line in their stores. At the same time, the company established a wholesale business with department stores worldwide.[9]

Lanz flannel granny nightgown

In 1953, Scharff designed and unveiled a nightgown line, "the granny gown," which was made of inexpensive cotton flannel and became Lanz Inc.’s signature product. It was based on a dress that Scharff's landlady had worn. By the late 1950s, the gown became a popular cover-up for women.[10] As a result, the company expanded to 30 retail stores and establish a manufacturing division. Playwright Wendy Wasserstein was known to have worn a Lanz nightgown while writing.[11][12]

Venice Beach

In the 1950s, Scharff began buying and refurbishing properties in Venice, Los Angeles. During a lengthy downturn with businesses on the oceanfront, he helped design a master plan for the community that included storefronts. He became one of the largest property owners in Venice.[13]

Scharff also commissioned artwork, including building murals that include a Van Gogh tribute "Starry Night" at Wave Crest and Ocean Front Walk and a portrait of Venice founder Abbot Kinney that highlights a five-story brick apartment building Scharff once owned on Venice Boulevard.[7]

Personal life

Scharff was married three times and was divorced twice. He had five children. He then married his third wife Simone Hormel Scharff, who had children from her previous marriage, including musician Smokey Hormel.[14]

In the early-2000s, Scharff was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He died at his Santa Monica, California home on August 17, 2006.[13]

References
  1. Hevesi, Dennis (2006-08-31). "Werner Scharff, 90, Designer of a Classic Warm Nightgown, Dies". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  2. "Stephen Markel: The Enigmatic Image: Curious Subjects in Indian Art". www.asianart.com. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  3. Wilson, A. (2014-11-14). Major Companies of the USA 1988/89. Springer. ISBN 9789400912977.
  4. Nelson, Valerie J. (2006-08-27). "Werner Scharff, 90; Arts Patron, Clothier Helped Dress Up Venice". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  5. "Lanz Sleepwear Founder Dies at 90". www.apparelnews.net. September 1, 2006. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  6. "Werner Scharff; clothing designer and Venice Beach patron; 90 | The San Diego Union-Tribune". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  7. "Werner G. Scharff dies at age 90". The Argonaut Newspaper. August 31, 2006. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  8. Bramlett, Lizzie. "Vintage Fashion Guild : Label Resource : Lanz". vintagefashionguild.org. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  9. LaMagna, Dal (2010-10-18). Raising Eyebrows: A Failed Entrepreneur Finally Gets it Right. John Wiley & Sons. p. 160. ISBN 9780470874370. Werner Scharff nightgown.
  10. Yearly, Patrick (2017-01-15). They Were Giants 2007. iUniverse. ISBN 9780595428137.
  11. "Werner Scharff, 90 - Los Angeles Times". August 27, 2006. Retrieved 2017-01-15 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. Pedersen Budge, Rose Mary (1988-12-23). "PRACTICAL, PRETTY LANZ CELEBRATING 50 YEARS". Deseret News. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  13. "Venice developer's lease Terminated: Evicted by even Bigger DEVELOPER - Werner Scharff 1916–2006". Freevenice.org. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  14. "Beachhead People Archives". www.virtualvenice.info. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
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