Casual-urban: athletes and bodyguard found fashion brand
Created: 08/26/2022, 09:54
By: Peter Loder
In creative mode: Ann-Christin Steinhart and Eckart Lutzeier design fashion.
The celebrity bodyguard even got the label's name tattooed on his forearm.
© Weber
Ann-Christin and Philipp Steinhart are already celebrating success as professional athletes.
Now the couple wants to conquer the fashion world together with celebrity bodyguard and multi-entrepreneur Eckart Lutzeier.
The idea came about in an unusual way.
Olching – Ann-Christin Steinhart (33), backcourt player at HCD Gröbenzell, has the ideas and designs the clothes.
Her husband Phillipp (30), defender at TSV 1860, serves as a male model, is a consultant and does logistical work.
And Eckart Lutzeier (59), who already accompanied Paris Hilton through the Munich nightlife, is a business partner and namesake.
Eckltz is the name of the label with a star as a trademark.
The first collection in a raspberry-colored look will be launched in October.
The product line includes the so-called streetwear scene, i.e. casual urban street fashion such as hoodies, shirts, jackets and baseball caps.
How the company was founded is a long story.
Ann-Christin, who everyone just calls Anni ("Because it's just shorter") comes from a Palatinate fashion family.
Her parents still run two shops in Bad Dürkheim and Grünstadt.
The daughter was trained as a retail clerk in the local company.
"I've always enjoyed dressing differently and well." Anni gave friends and acquaintances appropriate tips.
"Advice suits me."
Eckltz: Hobby turned into a job
Two years ago, she showed how perfectly she has turned her hobby into a career in front of the cameras with Germany's cult fashion designer Guido Maria Kretschmer on the TV show "Shopping Queen".
At that time she presented 185 pairs of shoes from her private boutique.
At that time, the couple, who had been married since 2018, were still living in Olching right next to Eckart Lutzeier.
The Steinharts now live near Markt Indersdorf and thus back in the home district of the footballer, who was born in Dachau.
Anni has also set up her office there, where she creates and sketches ideas for her fashion line.
Despite the physical distance, contact with “Ecki” and his family has not broken off.
Which is why during an afternoon on the terrace together, when we also talked about the future and dreams, the idea of doing something together in terms of fashion came to fruition.
(
By the way: everything from the region is now also available in our regular
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Lutzeier describes his new role in the fashion world as a “silent partner and pioneer”.
The multi-entrepreneur, who is well connected in the sports, celebrity and business world, naturally lets his contacts play.
When the groundbreaking coffee gossip on the terrace came to an end, everything was clear: "Everything was sealed with a handshake, just as it should be between real friends," recalls Anni Steinhart.
All that was missing was an extraordinary, memorable label name that had not yet been registered anywhere in the world.
When she was driving home in the car, she thought of it "as if struck by lightning": ECK-hart-Lu-TZ-eier.
The logo is supplemented by a five-pointed star, which is intended to symbolize family ties: "Eckart has four children, Philipp and I have one." The new business partner and long-time bodyguard was so fascinated and convinced by the idea that he logo tattooed on his right forearm.
Eckltz: It is only produced in Europe
"The name will say it all," promises Anni.
After many discussions, a partner company was also found: United Fashion Service (UFS) is based in Schloss Seefeld (Starnberg district) and develops tailor-made brand concepts.
The products are produced exclusively in Europe.
Very important for Anni Steinhart: “I am a perfectionist and I always find something disturbing.
That’s why everything has to fit.”
After examining a first sample delivery, it has now been confirmed that it fits: "The color is perfect." Even more important: "The mixture of materials is right."
Eckltz: Daughter of the TV chef
Husband Phillipp, the footballer who is currently suffering from an injury, is also involved.
After the daily closing time for training, he is available as a model if required on the Munich Löwen site on Grünwalder Strasse.
Also on board is Jenny Lafer (27).
The daughter of the prominent TV chef Johann Lafer and her husband Moe take care of the photos that are important in the fashion industry and look after the social media area.
The products "in the middle price segment" will soon be available online on a website that is still to be designed and in pop-up shops rented for a short time.
An official presentation event is planned for October in Fürstenfeldbruck.
Some models can already be found on the Instagram and Facebook profiles.
You can find more current news from the district of Fürstenfeldbruck at Merkur.de/Fürstenfeldbruck.
