In the world of luxury fashion, few brands have captured the essence of timeless craftsmanship and modern elegance quite like GALLUS BEAR GmbH. Founded by visionary entrepreneur Paddy Gloor, this Swiss brand has earned global acclaim for its exquisite silk accessories, which blends the storied tradition of St.Gallen embroidery with contemporary design. Most recently, GALLUS BEAR was honored with the prestigious title of Best Luxury Fashion Accessories in Switzerland by Luxury Lifestyle Awards, reaffirming its place among the leaders in the high-end fashion accessories market.

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Paddy Gloor to explore his journey as a founder, his passion for Swiss craftsmanship, and his vision for the future of luxury fashion. We also dive into his insights on the broader luxury industry – where it’s headed, the challenges it faces, and the role digital transformation will play in shaping its evolution. With his deep understanding of both heritage and innovation, Gloor’s perspective offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of tradition and modern luxury, making this conversation one that every fashion aficionado and industry insider won’t want to miss.

Guiding this conversation is Alexander Chetchikov, President of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, a global authority in luxury excellence. With over 16 years of experience recognizing and promoting the world’s finest luxury brands through the renowned Luxury Lifestyle Awards, Chetchikov brings a deep understanding of the luxury landscape and its ever-evolving dynamics.

Questions:

Alexander Chetchikov: As the luxury market continues to evolve, what does “luxury” mean to you in today’s world? Has your perception of luxury changed since founding GALLUS BEAR?

Paddy Gloor: The meaning of luxury is deeply personal and often shaped by one’s own baseline. For some, it’s the ability to afford and acquire anything they desire. For others, it’s about having freedom and quality time with family. For me, luxury is the ability to fully enjoy the present moment—free from financial worries—and to spend as much time as possible in nature with my wife and our two dogs.

AC: The luxury industry is increasingly embracing digital transformation. How do you see the role of digital technology in shaping the future of luxury fashion, especially in terms of personalization and customer engagement?

PG: Before founding GALLUS BEAR GmbH, I ran an internet agency for over 25 years, where I developed digitalization and e-commerce strategies for several well-known brands in Switzerland.Looking ahead, a personalized approach and strong customer loyalty will become even more critical—particularly in the luxury segment, where clients expect tailored attention and dedicated service. For many companies, this will require a significant shift in mindset and processes. A seamless digital shopping experience, loyalty programs offering exclusive added value, and highly personalized content will be key ingredients for success in the luxury market of the future.

AC: With consumer preferences shifting towards more bespoke and tailored experiences, how do you see the future of luxury fashion services evolving in the next 5 to 10 years?

PG: As already mentioned, individual and tailored service is the key to success in the future. However, as customers are not shopping locally in-store but are increasingly making these purchases online, innovative digital consultations are in demand. In this way, an extravagant and exclusive shopping experience can be created around the clock, regardless of location and at any time, which will delight customers.

AC: Collaboration has become key to innovation in luxury. How important do you think collaboration is within the luxury fashion industry, and can you share any thoughts on the type of partnerships that could shape the industry’s future?

PG: With our exclusive GALLUS BEAR products, we operate in a clear niche market in the luxury fashion industry. As we have focused on accessories, collaboration with partners who offer complementary services and other products to our items is essential.

The difficulty, however, is to find the optimal partners, both locally and worldwide, for a good cooperation at the same level and with the same awareness of the digital, exclusive shopping experience. Top brands can complement each other perfectly and together create an even better experience for customers. This results in stronger customer loyalty and a stronger reputation and brand recognition.

AC: As sustainability continues to gain momentum, how do you think the luxury industry can balance preserving exclusivity and heritage with the demand for ethical production and environmental responsibility?

PG: Sustainability, particularly in the fashion industry, must be championed with greater urgency. In recent years, consumer behavior has shifted too far in the wrong direction. There is a growing need to reawaken awareness around the responsible use of resources, and clothing recycling must become a shared responsibility—both for consumers and producers globally.

Our focus lies in delivering exceptional quality that stands the test of time. In the past, durability was a core consideration in product design, with garments made to last for decades. Unfortunately, this mindset has faded in today’s fast-paced world, giving rise to a throwaway culture. The short lifespan of cheaply produced textiles has only added to the mounting waste crisis and placed unnecessary pressure on the environment.

Preserving our ecological balance is imperative. While we import silk—due to the unavailability of such exclusive fabrics in Switzerland—our remaining premium products are crafted entirely in Switzerland, primarily in and around St. Gallen. Upholding Swiss craftsmanship and quality remains central to our identity.

AC:  You founded GALLUS BEAR after being inspired by the St.Gallen Textile Museum. Can you tell us more about that moment of inspiration and how it led to the creation of your brand?

PG: During a visit to the Textile Museum in early June 2020, my wife and I came across ties featuring St. Gallen embroidery dating back to 1860. We weren’t particularly fond of those historical examples, but the idea of creating a modern tie with St. Gallen embroidery stuck with me. I searched extensively online but couldn’t find anything comparable—so one evening, I sat down at my computer and began sketching my own designs.

Even the very first draft looked promising. A few days later, I found myself in a fabric store, browsing shelf after shelf. I had a clear vision of the fabric, silk, and embroidery I wanted to use. While I didn’t yet find the perfect materials, what I chose was good enough for a first prototype.

With fabric in hand and the concept taking shape, I reached out to a few industry experts familiar with fashion production. The response was overwhelmingly positive, which gave me the confidence to move forward. Soon after, I began working with a local sewing studio to produce the first prototypes.

That moment marked the beginning of the brand—founded during the challenging days of the coronavirus pandemic, and inspired by a single museum visit.

AC: GALLUS BEAR is renowned for reviving the St.Gallen embroidery tradition. Why do you think preserving heritage craftsmanship is vital in a contemporary luxury market that often gravitates towards innovation over tradition?

PG: I believe that tradition will prevail longer than short-term innovations. In the fashion industry, as in other areas, the cycle always comes back to trends that have already existed. So we are currently in the retro trend of the tie and bow tie. It’s back to wearing these beautiful accessories – for both men and women. And the traditional craft of original St.Gallen embroidery has been known all over the world for several decades and it is hard to imagine the fashion industry and interior design without it.

That’s why we believe that we have hit on the perfect timing with the combination of St.Gallen embroidery and the fashion trend of ties and bow ties. I think the success of our story confirms this and spurs us on to bring further designs and products to the market in the future. However, I don’t want to reveal too much about our latest creations at this stage. So it remains exciting.

AC: As a visionary entrepreneur, what personal philosophies or values guide your leadership style? How do these beliefs translate into the culture and success of GALLUS BEAR?

P.G. I have already built up, expanded and successfully sold several companies. Regardless of size, location or industry, I believe that what counts is an honest management style that leaves room for input and ideas from all employees. True to the motto: “Together we are much stronger”. The days of patrons with dictatorial management and deep corporate structures are a thing of the past. I believe that transparent communication and regular exchanges with employees are authentic and conducive to a successful company with a collegial corporate culture.

AC: Since GALLUS BEAR’s founding in 2021, what would you consider the most defining moment for your brand? What impact has winning the “Best Luxury Fashion Accessories in Switzerland” award had on your company’s trajectory?

PG: When building a brand or a company, there are many important milestones that are crucial for success.

One of the most important moments was winning the first award in autumn 2023. At the “Swiss Wedding Awards” ceremony at The Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich, we were awarded 15 out of 16 points in the field of established brands and companies. We were able to receive the award in the “Men’s Fashion” category and toast to it. This award from Luxury Lifestyle Award is another very important milestone for us in our internationalization and expansion into further target markets. We are very excited about the response from all over the world.

AC: With your family’s background in textiles and your own experience in the Swiss fashion industry, how does your personal journey and Swiss heritage influence the designs and success of GALLUS BEAR?

PG: Yes, exactly. My mother worked as a pattern director at the world-famous St. Gallen fashion company AKRIS. And my father also worked for various textile companies and was responsible for market development. This clearly influenced me, although I initially made a career in e-commerce and software development.

My special designs are influenced by tradition and the original St.Gallen lace. This type of embroidery is typical of our region and has made it famous worldwide. So my designs and my products should also be characterized by this origin in the future.

I believe that we Swiss are very determined and ambitious in working towards our goals. When building up a company or a brand, many things are subordinated for success. So I also had to give up some other things temporarily. But as the saying goes: nothing comes from nothing.

As our conversation concludes, it’s evident that Paddy Gloor’s vision for GALLUS BEAR is a perfect blend of Swiss heritage and modern luxury. Through his dedication to preserving the tradition of St. Gallen embroidery while embracing contemporary elegance, Gloor has created a brand that resonates with discerning clientele who value craftsmanship, quality, and exclusivity.

GALLUS BEAR shines of innovation and style and under Gloor’s leadership, it’s poised to continue shaping the future of high-end fashion accessories with originality and precision.