hechter completed his secondary education and worked as a storekeeper to a fashion house until 1949. by 1956, louis féraud and jacques esterel were selling hechter's designs, and he worked for designer pierre d'alby from 1958. hechter founded the daniel hechter company in 1962 with friend armand ornstein. hechter opened a boutique in 1962, and became known for sporty casual wear. his stated goal was to offer wearable yet high-quality, creative fashion for a wide range of consumer groups. over time he expanded his company, developing it into an international label that encompasses seven different collections. brigitte bardot helped bring his designs to a wider audience when she wore one of his outfits in "la parisienne".