BERLIN CONTEMPORARY
TARGET GROUP
Brands, designers at Berlin Fashion Week
APPLICATION PHASE
07/2026: Completed
01/2027: Application period until October 5, 2026
CATEGORIES
Promotion
ABOUT THE INITIATIVE
Berlin Contemporary is a concept competition in which exceptional German and international brands are supported during Berlin Fashion Week to present themselves and their collections.
Since January 2023, we have been jointly initiating the BERLIN CONTEMPORARY funding program with the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises . Within the framework of the BFW concept competition, prize money is awarded in the categories BERLIN CONTEMPORARY and STUDIO2RETAIL to particularly creative and innovative brands. The concept competition was launched for the eighth time in July 2026, and the application phase for the AW27 season competition started on September 7, 2026.
The “ BERLIN CONTEMPORARY ” category is aimed at participants whose (predominantly) German-based brands present exceptional design achievements and pursue strong, innovative, and sustainable approaches in their products, corporate philosophy, and event concepts. Submitted show and presentation concepts should be suitable for attracting numerous national and international trade visitors and achieving significant media impact. A total of 19 winners will each receive €25,000 – for the first time since the SS26 season, this includes international labels, among them at least one brand from an African country.*
An expert jury selects the concepts that will be awarded prize money by the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises. This season's jury in the "BERLIN CONTEMPORARY" category consists of Christiane Arp (Fashion Council Germany), Johanna Dramé (Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises), Mumi Haiati (Reference Studios), Stavros Karelis (Onassis Foundation), Susanna Lau (Susiebubble), Sara Sozzani Maino (Fondazione Sozzani), Eniafe Momodu (Prism Creative Limited), Irene Ojo-Felix ( Models.com ), and Patrick Pendiuk (Vogue Germany).
In the category “ STUDIO2RETAIL ”, the 6 best ideas for extraordinary store and studio event concepts will be awarded up to 5,000 euros each – prize money was provided by Berliner Sparkasse.
An expert jury selects the concepts that will be awarded prize money by the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises. This season's jury in the "STUDIO2RETAIL" category consists of Jasmina & David ( Jasmina.tv ), Mehmet Deniz (KaDeWe), Johanna Dramé (Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises), Elliot Hoste (Dazed), Sonja Hodzode (Creative Consultant), Kirsty Keoghan (eBay), Scott Lipinski (Fashion Council Germany), Kai Margrander (Harper's Bazaar Germany), and Nina Trippel (Cee Cee Creative).
More information about BERLIN CONTEMPORARY and STUDIO2RETAIL as well as about BFW can be found HERE .
* In addition to the prize money, this fashion label will receive support with show production and PR, including guest management through a local production agency. The winning brand is responsible for organizing the trip, including travel and accommodation costs, as well as shipping the collection and handling customs clearance.