Wolfgang Joop was born in Potsdam, close to the grounds of Sanssouci Palace. His last name, Joop, is a Dutch first name. He began his fashion career when he and his former wife Karin entered a fashion contest in 1970 and managed to win the top three prizes. Prior to that Joop studied advertising psychology and art education. He worked as a free-lance artist and held a professorship at the University of Fine Arts in Berlin.

Wolfgang Joop has two daughters, Jette born in 1968 and Florentine born five years later in 1973. He maintains residences in Monte Carlo, Hamburg and New York. He recently acquired an historic villa in Potsdam, his childhood home-town, which is currently being renovated by noted architect Prof. Dr. Joseph Kleihues.

Wolfgang Joop is unceasingly in touch with international artists and photographers. His exchange and involvement with the latter, his curious outlook and the changing spirit of time are his sources of inspiration.

Wolfgang Joop is not only a designer but also an illustrator. His drawings and drafts have been featured in numerous exhibitions and are part of several museums' permanent collections. Wolfgang Joop himself collects contemporary art and sculptures.

Frequently he is called upon to create not only the hemlines but also the headlines. He writes editorial stories for news magazines like Der Spiegel, Stern and Zuricher Weltwoche. Wolfgang Joop is personally involved in two charitable organizations: Dunkeiziffer e.V., which helps sexually abused children and Hamburg Leuchtfeuer, a charity to support HIV sufferers.