Werner G. Scharff (July 7, 1916 – August 17, 2006) was a German-American arts patron, fashion designer,[1][2] and land developer.
[4] As a large landowner, Scharff has been called a pioneer of Venice Beach in Los Angeles for contributing to the development and expansion of the city.
By age 20, Scharff, with the family business failing, used his savings to move with his brother Kurt to New York City in 1937,[7] arriving as political refugees.
[8] In 1938, the Scharffs and Lanz relocated to Los Angeles to open a store location on Wilshire Boulevard, specializing in Austrian-inspired ski clothing and sleepwear.
[9] In 1953, Scharff designed and unveiled a nightgown line, "the granny gown," which was made of inexpensive cotton flannel and became Lanz Inc.’s signature product.
[4] Cronk's murals commissioned by Scharff include a self portrait, depicting the artist as a superhero;[14] a tribute to van Gogh's "Starry Night" at Wave Crest and Ocean Front Walk; and a portrait of Venice founder Abbot Kinney that highlights a five-story brick apartment building Scharff once owned on Venice Boulevard.