Berlin Fashion Week concept competition 02/2024: The winners have been chosen.

Berlin, 27. October 2023: As part of the BFW concept competition, concepts for fashion presentations and B2C events for the upcoming Berlin Fashion Week in February 2024 were submitted for the third time. From a total of 89 applications, the best 24 concepts were selected by two juries of internationally renowned industry experts. In the "Berlin Contemporary" category (fashion presentations), 18 winners, including 4 Ukrainian designers, were each awarded EUR 25,000. In the category "STUDIO2RETAIL" (B2C events), 6 concepts were awarded EUR 5,000 each.

The aim of the competition, which is implemented by the Fashion Council Germany on behalf of theBerlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises, is to strengthen Berlin's international relevance as a fashion location and to provide a stage for design talents and their collections. In the "Berlin Contemporary" category, the award-winning fashion labels impressed with their particularly innovative and creative collections, a coordinated presentation concept that fits Berlin as a fashion capital, as well as a strong brand presence. In an international comparison, they shape the narrative of a Berlin Fashion Week that shows the complexity of creativity, reflects the zeitgeist of society and offers a platform to talents from different communities. At "STUDIO2RETAIL", the winning concepts aim to offer interested end consumers access to BFW with side events all over Berlin, where they can discover German fashion brands and new possibilities for responsible fashion consumption are demonstrated.

Michael Biel, State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Energy and Operations: „Once again, the competition allows us to present winners who show that Berlin Fashion Week is a true academy of talent. With around 5,000 companies and 25,000 employees, Berlin is the most important location for fashion and the creative industries in Germany. We have creative minds here who present such unique and diverse ideas as only Berlin can. Ukraine will also have its space again when we offer a stage to four Ukrainian designers in February. It is important to me that we continue to express our solidarity in light of the situation there. I am looking forward to the implementation of the concepts, which are characterized by innovative and sustainable ideas and give hope for an inspiring fashion week."

From a total of 63 applications, 18 winners were selected in the "Berlin Contemporary" category. After a formal review of the completeness of the documents, the chances of realizing the concept as well as the ecological and social sustainability strategy in the business concept and the event idea, the concepts were passed on to the jury. The 7 internationally experienced experts from press, social media, sustainability and business development evaluated the labels and their concepts on the basis of design performance, marketability, media impact and innovation factor. This season, the solidarity-based support of Ukraine, its designers and the Ukrainian Fashion Week will be continued and for the third time 4 Ukrainian labels were awarded: BOBKOVA, DZHUS, GLÜCK CLOTHES and PLNGNS. The 14 German winners are: AVENIR, Dennis Chuene, Kitschy Couture, Lou de Bètoly, LUEDER, MALAIKARAISS, MARKE, NAMILIA, OLIVIA BALLARD, RIANNA + NINA, Richert Beil, SF1OG, Sia Arnika and WILLIAM FAN.

Among other things, references from previous collections and the media impact of the labels served as the basis for the final decision. This made it possible to select a broad spectrum of styles that represent Berlin in all its facets. The "Berlin Contemporary" winners include established brands such as NAMILIA, Richert Beil and WILLIAM FAN, but also smaller labels such as AVENIR, Dennis Chuene, MARKE and OLIVIA BALLARD. New this season are GLÜCK CLOTHES, Kitschy Couture and LUEDER, who will give their debut at Berlin Fashion Week. They were particularly convincing with their professional visual appearance, their strong recognition value and the high-quality of the clothes.

Christiane Arp, Chairwoman of the board of Fashion Council Germany: „I was very happy about the many great and innovative concepts for the Berlin Contemporary competition. It wasn't easy to make a decision, but this year's selection of designers makes me confident that Berlin and Germany are increasingly generating international attention as a fashion location and thus gaining relevance."

At "STUDIO2RETAIL" this season, 6 innovative event concepts were awarded EUR 5,000 each as part of the concept competition. In addition to 5 prizes from the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises, a sixth prize was also provided by the Berliner Sparkasse, which thus supports the media and creative industries in addition to its established offerings. Natascha von Hirschhausen x LoopLook was selected as the sixth winner of the competition. Their concept as well as the 5 other winners HUMAN TOUCH, KATHARINA DUBBICK, PLATTE, rebirth studios and SBLMTN studio convinced, out of a total of 26 submissions, with their diverse concepts that represent a good mix of visually appealing brands and innovative event ideas. What unites them is their hands-on approach and their passion for their ideas. Thus, end consumers interested in fashion get a glimpse behind the scenes of the fashion designers, get to know new exciting German brands and can immerse themselves in the fascinating world of Berlin fashion even if they are not trade visitors. In exchange with the designers and organizers, they get the opportunity to actively participate and thus be a part of Berlin Fashion Week.

„Berlin Fashion Week has uniquely realigned itself in the past seasons, now it continues in 2024 with great presentation formats. "Berlin Contemporary" and "STUDIO2RETAIL" offer us the unique opportunity to promote emerging talents and to support them financially in the realization of their ideas within the framework of Berlin Fashion Week. Designers and creatives are allowed to present their creations to a national and international professional audience and thus enrich the city", says Scott Lipinski, CEO of Fashion Council Germany.

Jury of experts:

Berlin Contemporary:

Christiane Arp (Fashion Council Germany / Chairwoman), Dilys Williams (Centre for Sustainable Fashion / Director), Hanan Besovic (@ideservecouture / Fashion Expert) Johanna Dramé (Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises), Patrick Pendiuk (Vogue Germany / Senior Fashion Features Editor), Simone Heift (The KaDeWe Group / Group Buying Director), Thibaud Guyonnet (VOO STORE / Buying Director).

STUDIO2RETAIL:

Dries Vriesacker (Enfnts Terribles / Creative Director), Herbert Hofmann (Highsnobiety / Creative- & Buying Director), Johanna Dramé (Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises), Manuel Almeida Vergara (Berliner Zeitung / Head of Fashion), Marvin Mario (Content Creator & Stylist), Scott Lipinski (Fashion Council Germany / CEO).

All shows and events during Berlin Fashion Week can now be registered for the official BFW calendar here (shows) and here (other events).

Fashion events for consumers during Berlin Fashion Week can now be registered in the STUDIO2RETAIL calendar here.

The official calendar will be published in December.

In 2024 Berlin Fashion Week takes place from the 5^th – 8^th of February as well as from the 1^st – 4^th of July.

If you are interested in interviewsor further information, please contact:

Press contact:

Fenja Niechoj

Communications Manager, Fashion Council Germany

press@fashion-council-germany.org

t +49 30 994 0489 – 53