Highlights of the BFW 6 / 7

BALLETSHOFER

Drawing inspiration from sportswear and characterized by strict cuts and clean silhouettes, Alan Balletshofer showcased his craftsmanship through tailored, short, boxy jackets, loose-fitting trousers, and coats with classic potential, paired with newly interpreted Timberland boat shoes. This is the second time Balletshofer has presented his collection during Berlin Fashion Week. This season, however, the native Swabian, who founded his own label in 2019, is also among the Berlin Contemporary winners. The designer presented his collection '2024 - 006' on the first floor of the Martin-Gropius-Bau.

There are no titles for your collection, each is named after the year and a continuous number. This season it is called: 2024 - 006. What inspired you? 

It comes from a fusion of personal experiences and everyday observations. Drawing from my teenage years and young adulthood, I integrate memories to infuse my designs with a blend of nostalgia and innovation. Alongside traditional artistic influences, I find inspiration in the architecture and everyday experiences of urban life. 

We saw many tones of grey, brown and a lot of black. Why did you decide on a more down-to-earth color palette?

I wanted to focus more on the silhouette, rather than visually striking colors. This season these are ranging from shapes with a wide back and tailored front elements, high positioned pocket to tall collars. These are playing a pivotal role in this collection and are showcasing the outside allure of people walking around urban settings. 

Do you have a favorite look? 

At the moment it is a coat with an offset armhole, which pushes the rear volume forward when the hands are in the upper pockets but is still fitted at the front. The other two pieces would currently be the pleat pants which have a hidden blue silk stripes that opens like a gill when walking and a wool set which has been waxed, giving it the features of an outerwear piece with the look and quality of Italian wool.

Next to your fashion the footwear was standing out. Can you tell us something about that?

Yes! We are very happy to announce that we are cooperating with Timberland. To capture the essence of both brand identities we wanted to create something transitional showcasing the blend of the two brands. Our vision involves isolating classic tailoring components such as the front toe box of a classic Oxford Shoe and fusing it with the foundation of the iconic Timberland footwear styles. 

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CLARA COLETTE MIRAMON

Candy colors, ruffled tops, super low-waist capri pants, minishorts, corsets, and a strong touch of the 2000s: With her 'Nesting' collection, Berlin Contemporary winner Clara Colette Miramon celebrates her major runway debut at Berlin Fashion Week. For this, she transformed a historic ballroom into her dreamy setting.

“‘Nesting’ delves into the strengths and vulnerabilities of femininity. Inspired by the female surrealist artists of 1930s Paris, the collection features silks and jerseys in light tones of white gray and pink, contrasted with darker accents. Denim pieces in a deep unwashed color, while mesh items combine vibrant prints with faux fur details.

Key looks include a white jersey ensemble paired with a voluminous ruffle cardigan and knee pad leggings, challenging traditional proportions. "The Umbrella Dress" mimics the shape of an extended umbrella, while corset looks and padded silhouettes reimagine the forms Clara Colette Miramon is renowned for. A standout piece is a dress entirely crafted from reclaimed boxing gloves.

The show takes place in a historic ballroom, painted entirely white, with a set design featuring a girl asleep on a mountain of earth, inviting the audience into her dreamscape. Collaborating with visual artist Camille Soulat, who created the illustrations for the collection’s prints, added a unique touch to the designs.

Berlin's fashion scene is undergoing an exciting transformation, with numerous emerging designers and new talent making their mark. It's a thrilling time to be a part of this dynamic industry.”

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NAMILIA

The turnout for the Namilia show on Wednesday evening was enormous. Nearly 600 guests, including fans, ravers, queer style icons, and content creators—many impressively dressed in outfits from the brand—gathered in front of the location "The Tunnel" at Potsdamer Platz subway station. Emilia Pfohl and Nan Li presented the 60 looks of their 'Good Girl Gone Bad' collection on the longest and clubbiest runway of this Fashion Week, staging a wild, colorful, and confident party of pop culture and provocation in collaboration with the 2000s cult brand Ed Hardy.

Super short minis, loud fake-fur coats, bright pink leather-look ensembles, sexy ball gowns with the usual provocative messages: tops with the rhinestone slogan “Fashion Victim,” “I love Ozempic” on print shirts, and redesigned Ed Hardy original pieces shaped the look of the collection. Since 2015, Namilia has been offering high-quality, conceptually demanding pieces at affordable prices, capturing the hearts of young people—nearly 80% of their customers are under 35 years old.

"'Good Girl Gone Bad' is a collection that dives into the lifecycle of fame and explores the pop cultural landscape of the 00s and early 2010s—a period notorious for its paparazzi flashbulbs and ruthless tabloid gossip. In collaboration with Ed Hardy, we are reimagining the iconic status of celebrity culture by transforming archive and vintage garments into couture gowns and elevating streetwear pieces with handcrafted embroidery and couture tailoring. Our collection examines why society pushes individuals to their breaking points for recognition and the cyclical nature of fame, where everyone feels they can achieve stardom through social media, experiencing both its worship and its cutthroat critique. We’re questioning the societal obsession with categorizing individuals into stereotypes, only to watch them fail to meet these impossible standards. This fascination with watching others fail, especially women, whose decline from diva to 'whore' as the limelight fades, is a powerful commentary on the destructive yet inspiring spectacle of fame. For the first time ever, we're also featuring upcycling, using deadstock Ed Hardy pieces and vintage garments to challenge and reflect on these cultural dynamics."

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Neo.Fashion. Best Graduates Show & Award

On Wednesday evening, the Best Graduates Show was the grand finale of Neo.Fashion. Hosted by Hadnet Tesfai, the graduates selected by the jury received an award.

Best Design:
Marvin Mülleck
„I share my bed with dreams“
Kunsthochschule Weißensee

Best Craftsmanship:
Marie-Louise Müller
„HESSENCE ERITAGE“
Macromedia Berlin
 
Best Sustainability Concept: 
Nadine Aurin-Liew
„Nutzmensch“
HTW Berlin

Best Innovation:
Christian Nemnich
„wool venture“
HS Pforzheim

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