At the upcoming Berlin Fashion Week (July 10th to 15th, 2023), the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Businesses will once again award innovative concepts for shows, events and presentation formats with prize money. The aim of the competition is to further strengthen the growth potential of the fashion industry “Made & Designed in Berlin and Germany” and to continue solidarity with designers from Ukraine. The winners can expect prize money of up to 25,000 euros per concept.
The past Berlin Fashion Week in January of this year was characterized by a noticeable spirit of optimism. Berlin was able to present itself as the center of the fashion and fashion design scene and a pioneer in topics such as sustainability, innovation and inclusion.
In order to continue on this path that has been successfully started, the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Businesses is again organizing a concept competition in cooperation with the Fashion Council Germany. From March 29, 2023, concepts can be submitted again in two categories:
In the “STUDIO2RETAIL” category, the 5 best ideas for unusual store and studio event concepts will be awarded up to 5,000 euros each. The aim of these should be to achieve the greatest possible public interest and broad media impact, as well as to take account of the key issues of sustainability, diversity and innovation. The spectrum recently ranged from phygital presentations of new collections to workshops in traditional handicraft techniques and demonstrations of the production of sustainable clothing.
The “BERLIN CONTEMPORARY” category is aimed at participants who present exceptional design achievements with their brands based in Berlin or Germany and who pursue strong, innovative and sustainable approaches in the product, in the corporate philosophy and in the event concept. The show and presentation concepts submitted should be suitable for attracting the interest of numerous national and international trade visitors and for achieving high media impact. For this, 10 winners are to be awarded up to 25,000 euros each. In addition, as a sign of solidarity, the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises is awarding prizes to four Ukrainian designers, each with up to 25,000 euros as part of BERLIN CONTEMPORARY. Most recently, the Ukrainian designers Irina Dzhus, Kristina Bobkova, Lilia Litkovska and Jean Gritsfeldt presented their collections at the BFW in January 2023.
Stephan Schwarz, Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises in Berlin says: “Berlin is the German fashion capital and Berlin Fashion Week is our showcase to the world. What makes our location special is diversity, inventiveness and fresh concepts, and our joint competition is an important vehicle for precisely this. In January, the Berlin Fashion Week was able to present itself as innovative, creative and inclusive as never before and we want to continue this Berlin way in July. I am particularly pleased that we can again support Ukrainian designers and give their creative work space.”
Christiane Arp, Chairwoman of the Fashion Council, says: “The fact that we can continue on the path we have taken with the concept competition confirms that it is the right one. There is really great creative potential in the fashion and design industry here that is unparalleled anywhere else. Supporting these visionary forces in the best possible way is a wonderful and rewarding task.”
Competition concepts can be submitted until April 16, 2023. Read more about Fashion Council Germany here.