In July 2023, the Berlin Fashion Week was able to build on the change initiated last season and sent a strong signal with the diversity, inclusion and sustainability of its formats, events and shows. The summer edition convinced with its creative freedom and showed a new qualitative claim.
The designers presented outstanding collections in breathtaking Berlin locations. In order to build on the successful edition and to continue to promote creative talent and their ideas, the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Businesses, in cooperation with the Fashion Council Germany, is again organizing a concept competition. From September 11, 2023, concepts can be submitted in two categories:
As part of STUDIO2RETAIL, stationary retail formats, creative events and designers from Germany are to be supported in Berlin. Outstanding, innovative and sustainable event concepts that are aimed at end consumers and that focus in particular on the key topics of sustainability, inclusion, education and community are awarded prize money. This season, the five most convincing concepts will each receive up to EUR 5,000.
BERLIN CONTEMPORARY is aimed at outstanding fashion designers who pursue sustainable and innovative approaches with their labels and want to present their collections to a specialist audience at the next Berlin Fashion Week. In addition to established designers, new, exciting and up-and-coming talents are also addressed and promoted. In the past seasons, the presentation concepts of the winners were particularly convincing due to their creativity, sophisticated design, high quality craftsmanship and innovative shows in iconic locations.
This season, fourteen German labels and, as a sign of solidarity, four Ukrainian labels will once again be awarded prize money of EUR 25,000 at BERLIN CONTEMPORARY. This is intended to continue the support of the Ukrainian Fashion Week and its creative people.
The competition concepts can be submitted until October 3rd, 2023. The winners, who will be selected by a jury of industry experts, will be announced at the end of October 2023.