As part of the BFW concept competition, concepts for fashion presentations and B2C events for the upcoming Berlin Fashion Week in February 2024 could be submitted in this form for the third time. From a total of 89 applications, the best 24 concepts were selected by two juries made up of renowned, international industry experts. In the “Berlin Contemporary” category (fashion presentations), 18 winners, including 4 Ukrainian designers, were awarded 25,000 EURO each. In the “STUDIO2RETAIL” (B2C Events) category, 6 concepts were awarded 5,000 EURO each.
To strengthen Berlin as a fashion location
The aim of the competition, which is implemented by the Fashion Council Germany on behalf of the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Business, is to strengthen the international relevance of Berlin as a fashion location and to provide a stage for design talent and their collections. In the “Berlin Contemporary” category, the award-winning fashion labels impressed with particularly innovative and creative collections, a coordinated presentation concept that fits Berlin as a fashion location, and a strong brand presence. In this way, they shape the narrative of a Berlin Fashion Week in international comparison, which shows the complexity of creativity, reflects the zeitgeist of society and offers a platform to talent from different communities. In “STUDIO2RETAIL”, the winning concepts are particularly aimed at offering interested end consumers access to the fashion week outside of the fashion shows through events throughout Berlin, discovering German fashion brands and showing new possibilities for responsible fashion consumption.
Michael Biel, State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Energy and Enterprises: “Once again, the competition allows us to present winners who show that Berlin Fashion Week is a true hotbed 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 the creative minds here who present ideas as unique and diverse as only Berlin can. Ukraine will also have its space again when we offer four Ukrainian talents a stage in February. It is important to me that we continue to express our solidarity in view 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.”
Berlin Contemporary
From a total of 63 applications, 18 winners were chosen in the “Berlin Contemporary” category. After a formal check for the completeness of the documents, the chances of realizing the concept as well as the ecological and social sustainability strategy in the company concept and the event idea, the concepts were passed on to the jury. The 7 internationally experienced experts from the press, social media, sustainability and economic development evaluated the labels and their concepts based on design performance, marketability, media effectiveness and the innovation factor. This season, the solidarity support of Ukraine, its designers and the Ukrainian Fashion Week was continued and four Ukrainian labels were honored for the third time: 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.
References from previous collections and the media impact of the labels served as the basis for the decision. This meant that a wide range of styles could once again be selected, representing Berlin in all its facets. The “Berlin Contemporary” winners once again 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 be making their debut with their show at Berlin Fashion Week. These were particularly impressive with their professional visual appearance, their strong recognition value and the high-quality workmanship of the clothing.
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 as a fashion location will increasingly generate international attention and therefore become more relevant.
STUDIO2RETAIL
At “STUDIO2RETAIL” this season, 6 innovative event concepts were awarded 5,000 EURO each as part of the concept competition. In addition to five prize money from the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Enterprises, a sixth prize money was also made available by Berliner Sparkasse, which supports the media and creative industry in addition to its established offerings. Natascha von Hirschhausen x LoopLook was chosen as the sixth winner. This and the 5 other winners: HUMAN TOUCH, KATHARINA DUBBICK, PLATTE, rebirth studios and SBLMTN studio convinced, from a total of 26 submissions, with their diverse concepts, which represent a good mix of visually appealing brands and innovative event ideas. What they had in common was their hands-on approach and passion for their ideas. Consumers interested in fashion gain insights behind the scenes of the fashion designers, get to know new, exciting German brands and, even if they are not trade visitors, can immerse themselves in the fascinating Berlin fashion world. In exchange with the designers and organizers, they have the opportunity to actively participate and thus be a part of Berlin Fashion Week.
“Berlin Fashion Week has uniquely realigned itself in recent seasons, and now it will continue in 2024 with great presentation formats. The “Berlin Contemporary” and “STUDIO2RETAIL” formats offer us the unique opportunity to promote emerging talents and support them financially in implementing their ideas as part of Berlin Fashion Week. Designers and creative people have the opportunity to present their creations to a national and international professional audience and thereby enrich the city,” says Scott Lipinski, CEO of the Fashion Council Germany.