High Society, The Art of Ski Fashion

Meet Stefanie Caroline Engel, the co-owner of High Society, a fashion brand where glamour meets performance.

Long term Monaco resident, Stefanie Caroline Engel was born in Germany, before moving to the Principality in 2010.

Stefanie worked in the field of marketing before. She studied International Business Studies (IBS) in English and Spanish at the University of Paderborn in Germany, a program supported by Siemens and Wincor Nixdorf. Following her studies, she had the opportunity to work with Adidas through their marketing agency CIP, where she was involved in exciting projects such as miAdidas and the Stella McCartney collaboration, where her interest for fashion was sparked.

“After receiving a job offer from OAKLEY in Zurich, I made the personal and professional decision to instead begin a new chapter in Monaco — a choice that allowed me to not only grow my career in a dynamic international environment but also to build a life with my now-husband, professional racing driver Maro Engel.”

Before relocating to Monaco, she began working with Maro’s mother on the brand Kelly.ski, which they successfully developed into an internationally recognized ski fashion label. 

In 2019, the duo decided to revive the family’s original brand, High Society, breathing new life into its legacy. Today, the Monaco-based team behind High Society is dedicated to bringing a bold fusion of alpine glamour and haute couture to the snowy runways of the world.

How do you see the ski couture movement today?

“Ski couture is having a real moment — and it’s exciting to watch. Today, we see major fashion houses entering the space, which confirms what we’ve always believed: skiwear is more than technical gear, it’s a lifestyle. The mountains have become runways in their own right.

But at High Society, this isn’t new — we’ve lived and breathed ski couture since 1985. We were one of the first to blend high-performance fabrics with fashion-forward design. Our collections are created for women who don’t want to choose between functionality and elegance. We design signature pieces that move effortlessly from the slopes to the après-ski scene.”

High Society stands for unrivalled dedication to the highest quality, technical materials, uncompromising functionality and performance on the piste. Their designs are a testament to the perfect fusion of fashionable aesthetics and high-performance functionality.

Functionality is non-negotiable

How do you strike the perfect balance between technical innovation and high-end fashion in your ski collections?

“At High Society, we see no compromise between performance and luxury — for us, they go hand in hand. Since the beginning, our mission has been to create ski apparel that performs exceptionally on the slopes while embodying the elegance of high fashion.

We achieve this balance by starting every design with the woman in mind — how she moves, what she needs, and how she wants to feel. 

Our technical innovation comes through in the details: 4-way stretch fabrics, water- and windproof materials, thermal insulation, and intelligent cuts that adapt to the body. But performance is nothing without style. So we bring in couture-inspired silhouettes, rich color palettes, and refined details like faux fur, velvety textures, and our signature star symbol.

Every design is created and made in Monaco, where fashion and function naturally meet. The result is clothing that empowers women to feel confident, beautiful, and completely at ease — whether they’re on the slopes or at the après-ski lounge.”

How do you test your outerwear to ensure it performs well in extreme alpine conditions while remaining stylish?

“Functionality is non-negotiable — but neither is style. Our outerwear is rigorously tested in some of the harshest alpine conditions, both in lab-controlled environments and, more importantly, in the mountains themselves. We collaborate closely with professional athletes, mountain guides, and alpine adventurers who push our garments to their limits — from sub-zero temperatures to high winds and demanding physical movement.

At the same time, we never compromise on aesthetics. Our design philosophy is rooted in performance luxury — meaning each piece must perform at the highest level while looking effortlessly elegant on and off the slopes. 

The process is a constant dialogue between innovation and design, ensuring that our clients feel as confident in the elements as they do at après-ski.”

What are the key features of great skiwear?

“Great skiwear should do three things: protect, perform, and empower. At High Society, that means that truly exceptional skiwear is a seamless fusion of performance, protection, and understated elegance. 

At its core, great skiwear must deliver technical excellence: waterproof and windproof fabrics, breathable membranes, precision tailoring for unrestricted movement, and intelligent insulation that adapts to altitude and changing weather.

But beyond function lies emotion — how the garment makes you feel. The silhouette should flatter, the materials must feel luxurious against the skin, and every detail — from seams to fastenings — should reflect thoughtful craftsmanship. 

For me, great skiwear instills confidence: it should make you feel ready to conquer the slopes while looking impeccable at the chalet, in the resort, or wherever alpine elegance lives — be it Gstaad, Courchevel, Aspen, or beyond.”

Made for confident, free-spirited, and effortlessly elegant women

What inspires your seasonal collections?

“Inspiration is a family affair — quite literally. Believe it or not, I work closely with my mother-in-law, Sissy Engel, who founded HighSociety back in 1985 alongside her former husband in Munich. 

Just two years later, they moved the company to Monaco — a pivotal decision that ultimately brought me here as well.

Sissy is the creative force behind our collections and remains remarkably ahead of her time. Season after season, she anticipates trends with an instinctive eye — from bold prints to daring color palettes — many of which are echoed by other ski brands a year or two later. 

She draws inspiration from various sources obviously including the fashion runways of the world such as Paris, Milan, New York and the leading textile and fashion fairs we attend.”

High Society Fashion places strong emphasis on elegance and femininity. Who is the woman you design for?

“She is confident, free-spirited, and effortlessly elegant. She could be a fashion muse, a businesswoman, or a mother — often all three. She values quality, uniqueness, and the beauty of details. 

Above all, she’s a woman who dresses for herself. Our Ski Angels are bold, graceful, and loyal just like the women we create for.”

Where can people see your collection in Monaco?

“Our pieces are proudly designed in Monaco, and you can now find High Society at MC Market (www.thecorner.com) at Larvotto. 

It’s the perfect setting to discover our universe, elegant, curated, and infused with Riviera charm. We also invite you to follow us on social media for exclusive previews and campaign moments across the Principality.”

What does the term ‘High Society’ mean to you today?

“To us, High Society is about spirit. It represents a lifestyle of elegance, freedom, and fearless femininity.

It’s a community of Ski Angels, women who support one another, who move with grace, and who radiate confidence from the first lift to the last glass of champagne.

It’s a brand created by women, for women, and it celebrates those who dare to be bold, who carry beauty in the details, and who live life fully, on and off the slopes.

Born in 1985, High Society is more than a name. It’s a legacy of fashion, strength, and sisterhood that continues to evolve with every season.”

Discover High Society and experience how glamour and functionality seamlessly coexist on the snowy catwalks. 

For further information: www.highsociety.ski

Instagram: highsociety.ski