Hans Werner "John" Weitz (May 25, 1923 – October 3, 2002) was an American menswear designer[1] who initiated licensing products and selling affordable but stylish clothing that featured his image in the advertising.

[4][5] His parents were part of an active social scene during the Weimar Republic that was glamorous and filled with young artists, writers and actors such as Christopher Isherwood and Marlene Dietrich.

[12] With the recommendation of St. Paul's classmate John Cavanagh, in 1939, Weitz worked in Paris as an apprentice to fashion designer Edward Molyneux.

[12] In 1938, Weitz' parents left Nazi Germany to live in Paris, then London, eventually relocating to New York City.

During this time he was part of a 1944 mission in support of the plan to assassinate Adolf Hitler formulated by German Wehrmacht officers, under the instigation of Claus von Stauffenberg.

[6] In 1964, Weitz shifted from womenswear to menswear, where he focused on classic styles and the practical use and durability of clothing.

[21][22] His company was called John Weitz Designs, Inc.[12] He carried a wide, diverse line of goods and was often featured in advertising that portrayed a glamorous lifestyle.

He also wrote frequent magazine articles on a variety of subjects, including his hobby as a race car driver.

[24] While his early novels were semi-autobiographical, including focuses on style, the fashion business, and his experiences in Germany, his latter non-fiction books were serious biographies of Joachim von Ribbentrop,[25] Foreign Minister of Third Reich, and Hjalmar Schacht,[26] President of the Reichsbank and Minister of Economics.

[3] In addition to his race car driving hobby, Weitz enjoyed boating, and was a member of yacht clubs in Palm Beach, East Hampton, Sag Harbor, as well as part of the US Naval Academy Sailing Squadron.