Archduchess Sophie of Austria: An Imperial Designer

Archduchess Sophie Franziska Maria Germaine of Austria was born on 19 January 1959 at Boulogne-sur-Seine in Paris. The archduchess was the second child and second daughter of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria (1918-2004) and Archduchess Helen (b.1937; née Törring-Jettenbach), who were wed in 1956. Sophie joined an older sister, Archduchess Elisabeth (1957-1983), and was followed by a younger brother, Archduke Maximilian (b.1961). Sophie’s paternal grandparents were Archduke Maximilian of Austria (1895-1952) and Princess Franziska of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingsfürst (1897-1989); her maternal grandparents were Count Carl Theodor of Törring-Jettenbach (1900-1967) and Princess Elisabeth of Greece and Denmark (1904-1955).

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In early 1990, Archduchess Sophie of Austria married Prince Mariano Hugo of Windisch-Grätz (b.1955). The couple have three children: Hereditary Prince Maximilian (b.1990), Prince Alexis (1991-2010), and Princess Larissa. Before she became a wife and mother, Sophie had worked as a fashion journalist and as a muse to Valentino.

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Found this in a draw! Capri 20 years ago??❤️ @realmrvalentino @giancarlogiammetti

A post shared by Sophie Habsburg Design (@sophiehabsburgdesign) on Feb 4, 2019 at 10:50am PST

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For the past ten years, Sophie of Austria has channeled her creative energies into creating a line of elegant and timeless handbags.

Although Sophie’s website is currently being updated, do visit it in the future: Sophie Habsburg

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To read more about the work of Sophie of Austria, check out these articles:

So THAT’S what’s in her handbag! The Queen clutches a purse emblazoned with her friend Archduchess Helen of Austria as she leaves her 80th birthday party at The Ivy

An interview with princess Sophie Habsburg, style icon and talented handbag designer