HUGO BOSS in the First Half of Fiscal 2008

METZINGEN, GERMANY, Jul 31 (MARKET WIRE) --

HUGO BOSS in the first half of fiscal 2008:
Positive trend of sales and operating income before one-time effects
Group sales up by over 8 % on a currency-adjusted basis

In the first six months of 2008, the HUGO BOSS fashion group has
continued its successful trend and again seen growth in sales and
operating income after adjustment for one-time effects. Sales in the
reporting currency rose by 5% to EUR 831 million (H1 2007: EUR 794
million), and by over 8% on a currency-adjusted basis.

In Europe, sales adjusted for currency effects increased by 4% in the
first six months of 2008, with Germany showing a slight decline in sales
(H1 2008: EUR 174 million; H1 2007: EUR 177 million). By contrast, sales
in the rest of Europe rose by 4% to EUR 299 million (H1 2007: EUR 382
million). In particular, the Group's own retail stores continued to be
the driving force for the sales development in the first half of 2008.

HUGO BOSS again recorded double-digit rises in sales in the growth regions
of North America and Asia. On the American continent, the Group saw an
increase in sales of 14% in local currencies in the first six months of
the current business year. Despite uncertainties in consumer spending in
the USA, sales in the first six months of 2008 rose by 17% in local
currency and by 2% in Euros compared with the equivalent period in 2007
(H1 2008: EUR 106 million; H1 2007: EUR 104 million).

In the markets of Asia/Other Regions, HUGO BOSS again achieved
double-digit increases in sales in the first two quarters of 2008 with a
rise of 33% in local currencies. In particular, sales performance in the
Peoples Republic of China with growth of 46% adjusted for currency
effects and 28% in the reporting currency (H1 2008: EUR 24 million; H1
2007: EUR 19 million) played an important role in this improvement. This
trend underlines the importance of the Peoples Republic of China as a
growth market for the HUGO BOSS Group.

In addition to its expansion into the growth markets, HUGO BOSS has again
continued to develop its potential in all existing product categories.
HUGO BOSS is continually seeking to develop future growth opportunities
with new initiatives such as the launch of BOSS Kidswear and the
expansion of its royalty business by the inclusion of jewelry
collections. The royalty business continued its extremely successful
trend in the first six months of 2008 with an overall rise of 10% to EUR
21 million (H1 2007: EUR 19 million).

Group EBIT of EUR 88 million after the first half of 2008 declined by 5%
compared to last year's period (H1 2007: EUR 93 million). However, after
adjustments to account for the special effect arising from the changes in
the Managing Board in the first quarter of 2008, operating results showed
a clearly positive trend with a rise of 9%.

HUGO BOSS has reaffirmed its previous outlook for 2008 as a whole. The
Managing Board anticipates sales growth after currency adjustments of
6-8%, with EBIT expected to increase by 8-10% before adjustments for
special effects.

Further information on HUGO BOSS as well as the complete interim financial
report January-June 2008 can be found on our website at
www.group.hugoboss.com.

HUGO BOSS 31 July 2008: http://hugin.info/131370/R/1239388/265422.pdf

If you have any questions, please contact:

Philipp Wolff
Director of Communication
Phone: +49 7123 94-2375
Fax: +49 7123 94-2051

Nicole Besemer
Director of Investor Relations & Treasury
Phone: +49 7123 94-2478
Fax: +49 7123 94-82478

Copyright 2008, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

-0-