Margaretha Ley together with Wolfgang Ley was the co-founder of House of Escada. She had studied with the designer to the Swedish Royal Court and won a Miss Sweden Beauty contest and came to Paris, became a top fashion model and this gave her an insight into the fashion industry. Studied draping, cutting and creating a total look. Married and took over a knitwear factory of her husband when he died. Initially, she worked at the French Couture House of Jacques Fath and then she and her second husband Wolfgang Ley started up their own salon.