The final interview with Swiss textile designer Erich Biehle: ‘Paris was the world!’

Swiss textile designer Erich Biehle died in June aged 83. Just before his death he spoke to SWI swissinfo.ch and reflected on his career and life with Hubert de Givenchy, Yves Saint-Laurent and Audrey Hepburn. I got to know Erich Biehle at an exhibition of his foulards in Zurich. In early 2024 we had several conversations at his home, in his studio and in the famous Kronenhalle restaurant. He died on June 18. Biehle’s studio features many photos, including one of actor Audrey Hepburn in a Givenchy dress and another of fashion editor Anna Wintour wearing an outfit by Michael Kors. The fabric patterns are all created by Biehle. During our interviews he shared his experiences with Hepburn and French designers Yves Saint-Laurent and Hubert de Givenchy and explained why he chose not to stay in New York. SWI swissinfo.ch: Where did your path towards becoming a textile designer begin? Erich Biehle: Soon after I finished school, I began an internship at Ludwig Abraham & Co., one of haute ...