The History of Hugo Boss Watches Many companies starting in the early 1920's faced extreme hardship and bankruptcy before ever getting their business off the ground. Unfortunately, many stayed broke and eventually went out of business. Hugo Boss was no exception, because after starting his clothing business in 1924 located in Metzingen, Germany. Due to the economic climate, he was bankrupt by 1930. Rise to Power Instead of giving up, he set up a new business, and in 1931, joined the Nazi Party. Because of Hitler's rise in power, Hugo's business also flourished. He became the chief supplier of uniforms for the many military parties of the time. But once Hitler and the Nazi Regime was defeated, he was fined 80,000 marks. Though he died in 1948, his business survived and even thrived. In August of 1997, it was revealed that the company produced uniforms for the Nazi army through the use of forced labor from France and Poland during World War II. After Hugo Boss hired an hist...