Hugo by Hugo Boss 20th anniversary capsule collection

A capsule collection of 20 pieces
Hugo by Hugo Boss has launched a capsule collection of 20 pieces to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Built in a streamlined palette of black, white and red, the range of basics is smart, sleek, almost futuristic in concept, true to the label's avant-garde approach
(Image credit: Hugo Boss)

2013 is a banner year for Hugo, a full two decades since the Hugo Boss diffusion line hit stores with its first menswear collection. Like any rational 20-year-old, the brand began the year with a birthday bash - a fashion show and after-party to kick off Berlin Fashion Week. To keep the party going, today a capsule collection of 20 pieces for men and women hits its stores.

The range of basics by Bart De Backer and Eyan Allen - designers of Hugo menswear and womenswear respectively - are smart, sleek, almost futuristic in concept, true to the label's avant-garde approach. The collection is built in a streamlined palette of black, white and red - the essential shades of the brand's archives. Trousers are slim and cropped just above the ankle; white shirts are inset with slim panels of black; suits are adorned with barely-there hardware and a timeless white wool coat has no visible fasteners at all.

The designers have not forgotten the accessories. They've included a classic black leather handbag and overnighter and the requisite pair of shades. Perhaps most memorable, however, are the shoes. Allen's black leather ankle boots for women are punked up with back zippers and a slash of red on the heel. Men's brogues in austere black leather by De Backer get a hit of colour in a pair of red laces.

The collection is available online and at select Boss stores across Europe, with prices starting at £150.

The Sunglasses and dress

Left: 'The Sunglasses', £155 and 'The Coat', £480; Right: 'The Dress', £350

(Image credit: Hugo Boss)

The Biker Jacket

Left: 'The Biker Jacket', £420; Right: 'The Jeans', £169, 'The Weekender', £600

(Image credit: Hugo Boss)

The Ankle Boots and bag

Left: 'The Ankle Boots', £380; Right: 'The Bag', £500

(Image credit: Hugo Boss)

The Dress Shirt

Left: 'The Dress Shirt', £99; 'The Suit', £550

(Image credit: Hugo Boss)

The Red Blazer

Left: 'The Red Blazer' £350 and 'The Red Pants', £189; Right: 'The Blouse', £189

(Image credit: Hugo Boss)

The Scarf and T-shirt

Left: 'The Scarf' £89; Right: 'The T-Shirt', £79

(Image credit: Hugo Boss)

The Lace-ups and watch

Left: 'The Lace-ups', £270; Right: 'The Watch', £485

(Image credit: Hugo Boss)

Tracks and a pair

As part of its 20th anniversary capsule collection, Hugo has also created a compilation of tracks and a pair of 1990s-style foldable headphones detailed with a signature red cable 

(Image credit: Hugo Boss)

Based in London, Ellen Himelfarb travels widely for her reports on architecture and design. Her words appear in The Times, The Telegraph, The World of Interiors, and The Globe and Mail in her native Canada. She has worked with Wallpaper* since 2006.