The winners: Inside the concept competition for the upcoming summer edition of Berlin Fashion Week have been determined.
A total of 25 talents will receive funding as part of the “Berlin Contemporary” and “Studio2Retail” competitions, the Fashion Council Germany said on Tuesday. Both programs are financed by means of the state of Berlin and the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRE).
The “Berlin Contemporary” competition will take place for the sixth time this season, but this year the concept also opened for international labels outside of Germany and Ukraine. However, the prize will continue to be awarded by the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Operations / Project Future and the Fashion Council Germany. The award -winning labels, including this year the Ugandian label Buzigahill, the Ghanaian brand Palmwine IceCream and the Orange Culture label from Nigeria, each receive 25,000 euros and present their collections for spring/summer 2026 as part of Berlin Fashion Week.
In addition to the three brands from the African continent, 16 other brands that stood out of 79 entries have prevailed. Among other things, Blumarine creative director David Koma, who will present his own label in Berlin, as well as well-known BFW participants: Inside such as GmbH, Haderlump, Richert Beich, SF1og, brand, Sia Arnika and Lueder. Andrej Gronau, Balletshofer, Colrs, Gerrit Jacob, Ioannes, Kitschy Couture, Laura Gerte and Milk of Lime will also take part in the Berlin fashion week as part of “Berlin Contemporary”.
At the same time, the winners are also determined this season: inside the “Studio2Retail” competition format. A total of six labels receive funding to implement their creative event concepts during the fashion week directly in the urban area of Berlin. The format, which is deliberately aimed at the general public, was launched by the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Companies and is intended to promote the visibility of fashion from an exclusive runway shows. Five of the selected projects are considered with prize money of 5,000 euros each, financed by the state of Berlin. Another price is traditionally awarded by the Berlin Sparkasse.
The excellent labels are Apoc X Madomorpho, Effenberger Couture, Lou de Bètoly, Selva, Sezgin and Vladimir Karaleev.