Hugo Boss, Germany's largest clothing maker, said first-half profit gained 17 percent as the company sold more luxury women's wear. Net income rose to 54 million euros from 46 million a year earlier, the Metzingen, Germany-based company said in a statement on the DGAP news wire today. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg had forecast a net loss of 6 million euros. Sales rose 14 percent to 712 million euros.

Chief Executive Officer Bruno Saelzer is drawing customers to the company's Boss Woman line and higher-end goods such as leisure-wear collection Boss Orange. Hugo Boss, which is controlled by Valentino Fashion Group SpA, has benefited from increased demand for high-end fashion. ``Hugo Boss has continued to grow in all key global markets,'' Saelzer said in the statement. ``We are particularly pleased with the positive business performance in the U.S. as well as dynamic growth of Boss Womenswear.''