Joe Strassner

John Friedrich Strassner (born 28 April 1898 in Berlin-Charlottenbourg, died about 14 March 1970 in New York) is a German designer and costumer. John Friedrich Strassner began his professional career at the theatre in Munich. He returned to Berlin and opened his own fashion show on the Kurfürstendamm. In the mid-1920s, cinema began to gain importance in Strassner's career. During silent cinema, he was mainly active for Eichberg-Film, the production company of director Richard Eichberg At that time, he became acquainted with Eichberg's protégé, Lilian Harvey, for whom he worked particularly intensively at the beginning of the era of sound cinema. Strassner's creations were characterized by a great chic, elegance and glamour. His costumes were worn by the most important stars of those years: Hans Albers, Heinz Rühmann, Käthe von Nagy, Elisabeth Bergner, Willy Fritsch, Emil Jannings, Anna Sten.. Thanks to Lilian Harvey, Strassner responded to an offer from Hollywood in early 1933, where he designed the costumes of two unsuccessful American films from Harvey. Given the lack of offers, Strasssner left the United States, but could no longer return to Nazi Germany, due to his Jewish origin.Joe Strassssner settled in London in 1934 and became an important creator of costumes from the 19th century. His company "Strassner Ltd., Haute Couture" existed until the spring of 1941. During the Battle of England, Strassner moved to Los Angeles and became an American citizen. He no longer worked in cinema and theatre.