Berlin Fashion Week kicks off the new season

From September 5 to 10, the German capital will be dominated by the 23rd Berlin Fashion Week. With 36 runway shows, 25 exhibitions and installations, two conferences with several talks and panels, 15 exclusive events and numerous side events, the metropolis is once again the hotspot of the national and international fashion scene.

More than 150 actors and brands from Germany and abroad, extended platforms, new, exclusive and partly unused locations, top-class cooperations and an even closer international exchange underline the international importance of Berlin Fashion Week.

At the upcoming edition of Berlin Fashion Week, the two core themes of sustainability and innovation form the content pillars that shape the entire program.

Opening Reception with Secretary of State Michael Biel & Christiane Arp

Berlin Fashion Week will be officially opened on September 5 at the exclusive Opening Reception x FIRESIDECHAT by Michael Biel, State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Energy and Industry of the State of Berlin and sponsor of Berlin Fashion Week, and by Christiane Arp, Chairwoman of the Fashion Council Germany.

"Only with new ideas are there prospects for the future - and that's what we want to actively promote. The high class and diverse program of Berlin Fashion Week this season shows how much potential there is in Berlin's creative industry. We are happy to be able to give a platform to the Ukrainian Fashion Week especially in these times and to set an important sign of solidarity;" explains State Secretary Michael Biel.

With its networking format, the Firesidechat, the Fashion Council Germany has been regularly bringing together decision-makers from the fields of fashion, media, business, culture and politics since 2018.

Berlin Fashion Week as an international stage for Ukrainian designers

Berlin Fashion Week continues its commitment to Ukrainian designers and sets a sign of solidarity beyond its own borders. In cooperation with Ukrainian Fashion Week, Berlin Fashion Week offers more than 35 Ukrainian fashion designers in Berlin the opportunity to present their designs to an international audience. Designer Kristina Bobkova, who comes from Kiev, will open the show format of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

A special highlight is the show of the Ukrainian designer Jean Gritsfeldt, who will personally present his work as part of the group exhibition DER BERLINER SALON.

"It's impossible to take a step forward without looking to the past. After ten years, my work is still characterized by similar ideas. Even then I dreamed of love, recognition and freedom, and with the current collection I revisit values that are more relevant than ever for my creativity and with regard to the current Ukraine War," explains Gritsfeldt.

The support of Ukrainian fashion designers is a joint effort of the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Labor, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, DER BERLINER SALON, Estethica, Fashion Council Germany, Neo.Fashion and 202030 - The Berlin Fashion Summit.

The program highlights of Berlin Fashion Week

The traditional kick-off of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will take place on Monday evening with the "MBFW Opening: Mercedes-Benz Creators Night", which Mercedes-Benz will dedicate to two collaborations: the Mercedes-Benz Capsule Collection "ACC01" made of recycled materials under the artistic direction of the Berlin creative studio Acte TM, which will be staged as an installation. And the performance of the American musician and tech entrepreneur will.i.am with the Mercedes-AMG unique "The Flip". MBFW will be held exclusively as the first event at Telegraphenamt Berlin. The new location in Berlin-Mitte reflects MBFW's focus on New Luxury, Contemporary Boutique and High Fashion and is the perfect setting to spotlight the collections of the six designers. Further highlights are the panel talks by Mercedes-Benz and Estethica. www.mbfw.berlin

DER BERLINER SALON is expanding its exhibition concept and moving to the Kulturforum for the upcoming edition of Berlin Fashion Week. The format thus further expands its long-term commitment to sustainable fashion and design from Germany. Focal point is the group exhibition curated by Christiane Arp with 30 local and national participants. For the first time, this will be complemented by an alumni installation with 24 designers and manufacturers who have already participated in the Berlin Salon in the past. The supporting program will be rounded off with the final entries of the Rising Voices Award, which is hosted by the Fashion Council Germany and the lifestyle brand UGG®.

Estethica, the renowned format for progressive, sustainable fashion, is revived at Berlin Fashion Week. The program features an exhibition worth seeing of ten designers who challenge the status quo, a mentoring and business support program and a promotion of innovative young talents from Ukraine. As an evolution of the successful Fashion Open Studio initiative in Berlin, Estethica presents the group exhibition "What Lies Ahead" as part of 202030 - The Berlin Fashion Summit, as well as sophisticated lectures and discussions in collaboration with MBFW and POOL. The Estethica program also includes a live upcycling lab with the Berlin City Mission and the House of Materialization, which addresses sustainable designers inside and the interested public. www.estethica.com

202030 – The Berlin Fashion Summit will take place for the first time completely physically and over three days for the first time in the Colosseum cinema. Once again, an extensive program of panel discussions, interviews and keynote presentations with more than 50 top- class international speakers will be offered. Under the title "Fashion for Positive Impact: Regenerative Transformation", the sustainability conference will open its doors to thought leaders and progressive minds to discuss the most pressing issues of our time and present practical solutions for the industry. www.202030summit.com

Neo.Fashion takes place for the sixth time this season and has become the most important and largest platform for graduates and young talents in Germany. This year, the format presents designs of more than 80 graduates from eleven universities. A new feature is the showroom for 15 Aspiring Designers. In addition, the format is also the stage for the designs of young talents from Ethiopia and Ukraine as well as graduates from the University of Kiev. www.neofashion.de

The STUDIO2RETAIL event & shopping format organized by the Fashion Council Germany has set itself the task of supporting Berlin's stationary retail trade and local designers during Berlin Fashion Week. On behalf of the Senate Department for Economy, Energy and Operations, the Fashion Council Germany called for the competition and provided prize money totaling 80,000 euros. Six concepts of innovative offsite shows as well as eight store events have been awarded and will take place during Berlin Fashion Week. In addition, STUDIO2RETAIL invites interested end consumers to more than 30 events organized by brands and stores.www.studio2retail.berlin

For the third time Highsnobiety celebrates their hometown with BERLIN, BERLIN. As in previous years, a wide variety of creative scenes from the city of Berlin will be presented in a curated omni-channel performance. The BERLIN, BERLIN program includes an interview with the multidisciplinary collective Live From Earth, a showcase of the hip label 6pm, a preview of Ian Cheng's new Berghain show to limited exclusive collections in collaboration with institutions like Neue Nationalgalerie, Tresor and HÖR. The BERLIN, BERLIN Prize, endowed with 20,000 euros, will once again be awarded to an emerging brand from Berlin. Exclusive parties, a preview of the Schinkel Pavillon 15th Anniversary exhibition and other events will make BERLIN, BERLIN a physical experience for visitors.

Under the title "Infinitude" the interdisciplinary Reference Festival goes into its sixth round: It illuminates the now in eternal change. The program between fashion and art starts on September 6 during the Berlin Fashion Week and ends on September 13 during the Berlin Art Week, thus underlining the bridging between the disciplines. The most exciting newcomers as well as renowned protagonists from fashion and art will present themselves in showcases and talk formats in some of the hottest locations in the capital, including the Schinkel Pavillon and the Julia Stoschek Collection.