Old Friends, New Faces: The winners of the BERLIN CONTEMPORARY and STUDIO2RETAIL concept competitions

Berlin, 30.10.2026

Several Debuts at Berlin Fashion Week AW27: Expert Juries Select Winners of the BERLIN CONTEMPORARY and STUDIO2RETAIL Concept Competitions

Berlin Fashion Week (BFW) is gaining momentum, welcoming both familiar faces and new friends this season. Among the approximately 150 applications submitted for the two concept competitions BERLIN CONTEMPORARY and STUDIO2RETAIL were once again numerous labels hoping to make their debut at the upcoming edition of BFW.

A total of 19 labels from six countries will present runway shows in Berlin between 29 January and 1 February 2027, with support from the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises. In addition, six concepts for studio events have been selected, bringing together industry professionals and the general public. Among the winners in both categories are several designers who have not previously presented their work in Berlin.

“Berlin Fashion Week continues to demonstrate the importance of creativity, experimentation and new perspectives within the international fashion landscape,” says Sara Sozzani Maino (Fondazione Sozzani), who is once again part of the BERLIN CONTEMPORARY jury this season. “What is particularly exciting is seeing brands develop a distinctive vision while challenging conventions and exploring more conscious approaches to fashion.” Her fellow juror Irene Ojo-Felix (Models.com) adds: “Being part of the jury has been a rewarding experience, particularly in supporting emerging design talent and recognizing the possibilities for growth beyond their immediate markets. Fashion is a global industry, and talent exists everywhere.”

Alongside BALLETSHOFER, BARRAGÁN, clara colette miramon, DAGGER, Fruché, GmbH, Haderlump Atelier Berlin, JOHN LAWRENCE SULLIVAN, Kasia Kucharska, KOLYA BOGATYREV, LUEDER, Lou de Bètoly, MARIE-LOUISE MÜLLER, MARKE, ORANGE CULTURE,Richert Beil and SF1OG, all of which have previously been part of BFW, two newcomers have also been selected: Nigerian label OSHOBOR, which will make its debut in the German capital with its elaborate material treatments and striking colour contrasts, and Berlin-based Madomorpho, which has so far made its mark at BFW solely through an artistic installation.

The STUDIO2RETAIL event category also welcomes a new name: OOR Apparel. The fashion label founded by Berlin-based publisher OOR Studio, whose media titles include Numéro Berlin and Fräulein Magazin, will present its collection at BFW for the first time. The concepts by Anne Bernecker, MALAIKARAISS, Milk of Lime, VLADIMIR KARALEEV and WILLIAM FAN have also been selected.

“It was my first time serving as a jury member for the STUDIO2RETAIL competition, and I was genuinely impressed by the large number of high-quality submissions,” says Kai Margrander (Harper’s BAZAAR Germany). "We love seeing designers push boundaries and reimagine what the future of fashion retail can look like,” adds fellow juror Jasmina (jasmina.tv). “We can't wait to see these concepts come to life and bring a little more diva energy to Berlin's shopping scene!”

In addition to the event concepts and design achievements, both juries once again considered sustainability approaches as part of their decisions. The BFW Sustainability Requirements came into effect in July 2026. Going forward, only brands that meet the minimum standards set out in this binding framework will be included in the official BFW show schedule with their shows and events.

BERLIN CONTEMPORARY is a concept competition that supports 19 labels with €25,000 each to realise a runway show during Berlin Fashion Week. The prize money is provided by the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises. In addition to labels headquartered in Germany, up to seven international brands can be selected. The highest-ranked brand from an African country – ORANGE CULTURE this season – also receives additional support with production, guest management and press relations. Furthermore, all winning labels have the opportunity to stage their shows through the production formats INTERVENTION by Reference Studios or re:MODE by Press Factory and 0049x. The winners are selected by an expert jury comprising Christiane Arp (Fashion Council Germany), Eniafé Momodu (Prism Creative Limited), Irene Ojo-Felix (Models.com), Mumi Haiati (Reference Studios), Stavros Karelis (Onassis Foundation), Johanna Dramé (Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises), Patrick Pendiuk (Vogue Germany), Sara Sozzani Maino (Fondazione Sozzani) and Susanna Lau (Susiebubble).

STUDIO2RETAIL is a competition that recognises six concepts for showroom, pop-up or exhibition formats during Berlin Fashion Week, engaging end consumers alongside the international fashion industry. Five prizes of €5,000 each are provided by the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises. A sixth prize – awarded to OOR Apparel this season – is funded by Berliner Sparkasse. The winners in this category are also selected by an expert jury, which this season comprises Jasmina & David (Jasmina TV), Elliot Hoste (DAZED), Johanna Dramé (Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises), Kai Margrander (Harper’s BAZAAR Germany), Kirsty Keoghan (eBay), Mehmet Deniz (KaDeWe), Nina Trippel (Cee Cee Creative), Scott Lipinski (Fashion Council Germany) and Sonja Hodzode (Stylist & Creative Consultant).

Registration for the official Berlin Fashion Week AW27 schedule is now open. Runway shows can be registered at fashionweek.berlin/show-slot-registration.html until 9 November 2026, and side events at fashionweek.berlin/side-event-registration.html until 4 January 2027. Further information on registration is available at fashionweek.berlin/official-schedule/show-schedule-information.html.