Press Release
International Like Never Before: This Was Berlin Fashion Week for AW 2025
Berlin, 4 February 2025 - From 31 January to 3 February 2025, Berlin Fashion Week (BFW) once again attracted buyers, journalists and other industry experts from all over the world. Around 30.000 guests discovered the highlights of the collections for autumn/winter 2025 at 35 shows and experienced the unique combination of fashion, art and (club) culture in the German capital at numerous events.
With the leitmotif "The responsible movement of freedom, inclusion, and creativity", BFW sent a strong signal for freedom and the values of authenticity, diversity and openness in turbulent times - all principles that characterise Berlin as a city. These values were also visible and tangible at the shows and events. With extraordinary locations such as the Halle am Berghain for all shows in the NEWEST format, the imposing St. Thomas Kirche, a historic World War II bunker, the fairytale Villa Elisabeth and the iconic, multi-story Kant-Garagen which served as stage for shows, performances and installations in the INTERVENTION format, Berlin Fashion Week emphasized the diversity of the city, while the diverse and inclusive model casts reflected the diversity of its residents on the catwalk.
For the first time, the German Fashion Week took place directly after the Haute Couture shows in Paris and Copenhagen Fashion Week. The new date positioned BFW perfectly in the international show calendar. This not only brought it the largest international audience up unitl now, but also emphasized Berlin's growing importance on a global level.
“This season, Berlin Fashion Week has once again established itself as an important platform for innovative fashion and creative diversity, attracting what is likely its largest international audience to date. Around 30.000 guests from Berlin, Germany, and across the world did not want to miss the event. With the Sustainability Requirements, we have taken a significant step in the realignment process, introducing binding sustainability standards for the first time. We are also increasingly focusing on internationalization by consciously looking beyond our own horizons and collaborating in solidarity with other countries. In doing so, Berlin is demonstrating how responsible transformation can succeed and what the fashion industry of the future can look like. Berlin Fashion Week is firmly established in thefashion calendar, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next edition at the end of June in Berlin.”
Franziska Giffey, Mayor and Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy, and Public Enterprises
THE SHOWS
Berlin Fashion Week once again impressed this season with a mix of established brands and young talents - including the winners of the BERLIN CONTEMPORARY concept competition, which was funded by the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises and endowed with 25,000 euros in prize money each, as well as the participants in the NEWEST showcase format by creative agency NOWADAYS and INTERVENTION, a novel platform for German designers with a global footprint, by communications agency Reference Studios, all of which were supported by the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises. With the Ghanaian label PALMWINE IceCREAM and PLNGNS from Ukraine, brands that are not based in Germany were also supported this season. In addition, Kasia Kucharska, the first winner of the newly created FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund, presented a collection at BFW for the first time.
Kilian Kerner opened Berlin Fashion Week on Friday in the Uber Eats Music Hall, where the other Collective Four designers Danny Reinke and Marcel Ostertag also presented their collections later on.
Horror Vacui by designer Anna Heinrichs showed romantic and playful pieces with colourful prints and ruffles in her "Inner Realms" collection, most of which were elaborately handmade. Sia Arnika also favours maximalism. However, the Danish designer has made it her goal to harmoniously unite maximalism and minimalism - for example, by effortlessly combining radical deconstruction and elaborate draping in her "Harbor Bitch" collection.
Also on Friday, Marc Cain presented his "A Parallel Universe" show at the brutalist Kraftwerk in East Berlin. Then it was over to Alan Balletshofer, who closed day one with his "Collection 007", once again demonstrating his tailoring skills and special attention to detail.
Other highlights of the programme were the performance by SVEASØN, with which Hamburg-based Svea Beckedorf presented her new designs, and the show by Lou de Bètoly, who sent her elaborate creations with embroidered, knitted and crocheted elements down the catwalk in the Spiegelsaal in Clärchens Ballhaus. MARKE was similarly in love with detail. Designer Mario Keine chose the Villa Elisabeth to present the collection "When am I - In the Realm of a Dying World", in which he explored themes such as emotional stagnation and transience. Jale Richert and Michele Beil staged the "Mother" collection for their label Richert Beil, in which they thematised the exhaustion of women due to social burdens and expectations.
The fact that the Berlin fashion scene is closely linked to the local club scene is nothing new. What is new, however, is that the NEWEST shows - this time by SF1OG, PALMWINE IceCREAM and Maximilian Gedra - were fittingly held at Halle am Berghain. SF1OG kicked things off with Rosa Marga Dahl and Jacob Langemeyer. They explored the term "uniform" and its historical significance for subcultures in the rock and indie scene. PALMWINE IceCREAM was the only African brand to present its collection at this edition. The Ghanaian-British designer Kusi Kubi combined tailoring with sustainability by creating sophisticated one-off pieces from deadstock materials. Maximilian Gedra rounded off the NEWEST shows with his collection "The Office", a bold, gender-inclusive reinterpretation of classic business fashion.
Other highlights of the programme were the performance by SVEASØN, with which Hamburg-based Svea Beckedorf presented her new designs, and the show by Lou de Bètoly, who sent her elaborate creations with embroidered, knitted and crocheted elements down the catwalk in the Spiegelsaal in Clärchens Ballhaus. MARKE was similarly in love with detail. Designer Mario Keine chose the Villa Elisabeth to present the collection "When am I - In the Realm of a Dying World", in which he explored themes such as emotional stagnation and transience. Jale Richert and Michele Beil staged the "Mother" collection for their label Richert Beil, in which they thematised the exhaustion of women due to social burdens and expectations.
The grand finale of the second day took place in the S-Bahn depot in Schöneweide, where Haderlump presented the "SOLIVAGANT" collection. It wasn't just the fashion that was inspired by the railway passengers of the mid-20th century - guests were appropriately transported directly to the location on a historic S-Bahn train.
On Sunday the INTERVENTION format by Reference Studios, set in the historic former car park and architectural gem Kant-Garagen, took center stage. The first winner of the FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund Kasia Kucharska, known for her intricate, eye-catching creations made of moulded latex, kicked things off. She used her Fashion Week debut as an opportunity to explore new techniques and craftsmanship. In addition to dynamically gathered blouses and shorts, she also presented dresses made from deconstructed jumpers and mesh - without any seams, but held together by functional latex ornaments. Marie LUEDER showed her collection "The Shell" with her signature touch of drama and performance. Two hovering drones, a glass chandelier and a large-scale projection were set against a massive 19th century style carpet, printed with the faces of her diverse cast, doubling as her runway. She sent printed and airbrushed t-shirts, mesh and lycra ensembles as well as faux fur lined hoods and headpieces down the catwalk. GmbH also remained loyal to the German capital and caused a sensation with "From Another Reality". In turbulent times, Serhat Isik and Benjamin Alexander Huseby looked inwards and presented the essence of what the label is known for - playing with gender norms and eye-catching silhouettes as well as tailoring and workwear that form a surprising symbiosis. An emotional and intimate ordeal, with a finale set to the tone of Kate Bush's "Under Ice". Andrej Gronau closed the INTERVENTION format with a collection inspired by small mementos from childhood, inviting the audience to take a closer look. He revealed skirts and scarves with fluffy, teddy-bear textures, as well as star-shaped cut-outs on boots and leather jackets that brought back memories of crafting. He showed that the true value of clothing is not only measured materially, but above all emotionally.
Another highlight was the Avenir collection, designed by Sophie Claussen, which impressively showcased the label's craftsmanship. Recycled materials such as denim were used to create new, innovative designs that were unrivalled. Afterwards, Clara Colette Miramon, who celebrated her runway debut last season, invited guests to the historic St Thomas Church in Kreuzberg. Her collection "Maria hat geholfen" was inspired by sacred art.
PLNGNS, on the other hand, made a statement with its "Identity Season" collection, which focussed on sustainable innovation and upcycling. Unique, functional unisex pieces were created by redesigning everyday objects. Following his successful runway debut at BFW in July 2024, Marlon Ferry presented his new collection in Bunker West, a historic World War II bunker. In it, he addressed the fragile present, but also the resilience of humanity by combining traditional craftsmanship techniques with innovative technologies.
On Monday, William Fan celebrated the 10th anniversary of his label at the Berlin Philharmonie with the "ALTER EGO" collection. Inspired by Peking Opera, it combined traditional and modern elements. Later, ODEEH founders Otto Drögsler and Jörg Ehrlich invited guests to a special still-life installation at Kunstpalais, where they presented their collection "THE BEAUTY of CREATIVE CHAOS" - a collection that celebrated the freedom of the individual style of the ODEEH woman through strong contrasts. To round off the fourth day, Laura Gerte showed her "Looped & Bound" collection, which anticipated the fusion of man and machine with futuristic looks.
THE EVENTS
Sustainability was once again the focus of BFW. On the one hand, through the new Sustainability Requirements, which are currently being tested in the pilot phase and will apply as binding minimum standards for all shows from February 2026. Secondly, through numerous events that dealt with topics such as sustainable fashion, conscious consumption and the urgently needed transformation of the industry. Following its successful premiere last year, the METAMORPHOSIS-Dialogues about Change format, initiated by the Fashion Council Germany in partnership with eBay and supported by NIO, returned. From 31 January to 3 February, the talk series took place at NIO House Berlin, where national and international experts from the circular economy and the fashion industry discussed key topics such as the urgently needed transformation of the industry. Another talk format, 'Made to Last', took place on Friday. The event, organised by FashionChangers, focused on sustainable fashion and longevity. On Sunday, a similar topic once again took centre stage: the 202030 SUMMIT x HASTE STUDIOS hosted an exciting discussion on regenerative strategies and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Another event highlight was the NEXT GEN Pop-Up by PLATTE.Berlin, which offered young designers such as Mona Gutheil, Sezgin Kivrim and Essie Kramer a valuable platform to present their collections to a wide audience. The launch event on Friday marked the official start of this programme and provided the young talents with valuable retail experience.
The Studio2Retail programme was once again an integral part of Berlin Fashion Week this season and offers both small and established labels, showrooms and shops a first-class opportunity to present their collections to the public. Supported by the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises and Berliner Sparkasse, it puts creative and sustainable fashion in the spotlight.
At the same time, this format opens up the BFW to the public, as all interested parties have access. The programme started on Friday and included brands such as Balletshofer, Buki Akomolafe & EMEKA Suits, H6, Kitschy Couture, MAHORDE, NOMAD X COLLECTIVE, CCY CURRENCY X SCHEPPERHEYN, PLATTE.Berlin, wu.er studio, Human Touch, Natascha von Hirschhausen, Daniel Kujawa, Raer Scents Parfums, Gina Melosi and Laramz & Perlensau.
Also on Friday, Sezgin Kivrim presented his new collection entitled "Where Do You See the Sun?". The shows by Laurin Schuler and Vanessa Baernthol as well as a show including an after-show party by Marina Hoermanseder completed the programme on this day.
Saturday started with Kitschy Couture. The label hosted a "Valentine's Date" at La Bohème Artistique. There, designer Abarna Kugathasan presented her latest designs with sculptural silhouettes and playful details inspired by lingerie and saris. At other shows over the weekend, Maria Chany, Rebekka Ruétz, Melisa Minca and Mona Cordes presented their new collections.
The Berlin Contemporary AW25 showroom at the Hotel Château Royal opened its doors to invited guests on Saturday. Press representatives, stylists, buyers and fashion experts were given exclusive access. They were able to take a closer look at the new collections of 14 Berlin contemporary designers on site. On the same day, Neo.Fashion presented "Momentum", a new platform in the NOTAGALLERY where up-and-coming labels such as B.A.R.E. and Nowrubi organised fashion shows and pop-ups. Natascha von Hirschhausen realised the pop-up store 'B-STORIES' together with PB0110, Société Angelique, Dawn Denim and Alina Schürfeld. She was also one of five brands that received 5,000 euros each as part of the eBay Circularity Support programme and created two looks from pre-loved items that will be available exclusively on the eBay online marketplace from 4 February.
As part of the INTERVENTION format, Kant-Garagen hosted runway shows as well as other events. These included a special vinyl DJ set by Mancunian duo Space Afrika and a customisation workshop hosted by tattoo artist Magic Rosa presented by UGG. Both were staged within a bespoke circular installation, which also served as an ideal meeting point for guests between the four shows. On the groundfloor in the "Levi's Indigo Lounge", Levi's denim pieces could be customised with artworks by New York based artist Ally Bo, screen printed by Et Al Press. In the same space, internationally renowned jazz musician Nubya Garcia performed as part of “Levi's Indigo Note”
On Monday, the BERLINER SALON celebrated its 10th anniversary at the Gemäldegalerie Berlin. Over 50 designers presented collections that combined classical art with contemporary design. Curated by Christiane Arp and Marcus Kurz, the Salon emphasised the connection between fashion, sustainability and craftsmanship. Another highlight of this year's edition was the premiere of the RAUM Berlin format, in which designers Anne Bernecker, Gerrit Jacob and Emilia Pfohl and Nan Li from Namilia each presented ten looks and showcased their unique visions in a more intensive, curated setting.
At the same time, the Melagance showroom opened its doors to fashion enthusiasts, who were able to discover the latest collections and designs from brands such as Arc'teryx, Diemme, Veilance and many more.
In addition, experts and creatives from the fields of fashion and technology came together on Monday as part of YOONAVERSE - Fashion Meets Tech. Where not only the latest innovations that will shape the future of fashion were discussed, but the increasing interlinking of fashion, AI, sustainable production and digital worlds was also highlighted.
The official Berlin Fashion Week Closing Party of the Fashion Council Germany took place at Coco Boule. In collaboration with Berliner Sparkasse and PLATTE.Berlin and with the support of 1664 Blanc and an impressive line-up from Urban Logic, the closing of Fashion Week was celebrated.
THE GUESTS
BFW emphasised its international relevance this season with a large number of prominent guests and leading experts from the fashion industry - including Carlo Capasa, President of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, and Pascal Morand, President of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode as well as Allegra Versace, daughter of Donatella Versace. Mark Holgate, fashion critic for US Vogue, documentary filmmaker and journalist Loïc Prigent, Stavros Karelis, founder and buying director of concept store Machine-A and Selfridges head of buying Bosse Myhr also travelled to Berlin. From the UK, journalists from British Vogue, AnOther Magazine, Dazed and the Guardian came to visit.
From the US, editors from Forbes, Hypebeast, i-D and Paper travelled to the German capital. In addition, content creators from all over the world came to Berlin, among them Caro Daur (@carodaur) from Hamburg, Hanan Besovic (@ideservecouture), fashion critic Bliss Foster (@blissfoster), Kozue Akimoto from Japan (@akimoto_kozue), Kim Russell (@thekimbino) as well as globetrotter Declan Chan (@declanchan). As important multipliers, they made a significant contribution to further increasing the global visibility of Berlin Fashion Week and consolidating its relevance on the international fashion stage.
The initiators of Berlin Fashion Week would like to thank the partner brands for their support!
NIO: For providing shuttles that brought our international guests comfortably and safely from appointment to appointment.
Château Royal Berlin: For providing stylish premises - both for events and for our international guests.
Lefty: For their support as an influencer marketing platform.
1664 Blanc: For the special beer that enriched many Berlin Fashion Week events.
The next Berlin Fashion Week will take place from 30.06 to 03.07.2025.
All images from Berlin Fashion Week are available for download in the official Media Hub.
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