BURGER-KEHL & CO, PKZ, 1916 by Leonhard F. W. Fries

This 1916 poster by Leonhard F. W. Fries advertises Burger-Kehl & Co., a Swiss men’s outfitter associated with PKZ (Paul Kehl Zürich). The artwork depicts two sharply dressed men, one in a yellow coat and the other in a green suit, engaged in conversation while pointing toward an early biplane soaring in the background. The scene, framed by minimalist borders and fine typography, captures a moment of sophistication and modernity, reflecting the brand's focus on timeless style and quality tailoring for the discerning gentleman.

Founded in 1881, PKZ (Paul Kehl Zürich) rapidly became one of Switzerland’s leading retailers for men’s fashion. By the time this poster was created, PKZ was known for promoting elegant, tailored clothing for an emerging cosmopolitan clientele. Leonhard Fries, a Swiss artist, created numerous advertisements during this period, often employing a clean, restrained style that complemented the era’s Art Nouveau and early modernist influences. This poster encapsulates a pivotal moment in European fashion, aviation, and advertising, as new technologies and designs began to symbolise progress.