NEWS: Berlin Fashion Week Concept Competition 02/2024 - The winners have been chosen.

Berlin, 27. October 2023: 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 for the third time in this form. From a total of 89 applications, the best 24 concepts have now been selected by two specialist juries made up of renowned international industry experts. In the “Berlin Contemporary” category (fashion presentations), 18 winners, including 4 Ukrainian designers, were each awarded 25,000 euros. In the “STUDIO2RETAIL” category (B2C events), 6 concepts were awarded EUR 5,000 each.

The aim of the competition, which is organized by Fashion Council Germany on behalf of the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises, is to strengthen Berlin's international relevance as a fashion location and to offer design talents and their collections a stage. In the “Berlin Contemporary” category, the award-winning fashion labels impressed with particularly innovative and creative collections, a coordinated presentation concept that suits Berlin as a fashion location and a strong brand image. In this way, they shape the narrative of a Berlin Fashion Week that shows the diversity of creativity, reflects the zeitgeist of society and offers talents from different communities a platform. At “STUDIO2RETAIL”, the winning concepts are particularly aimed at offering interested end consumers access to the fashion week through events throughout Berlin outside of the fashion shows, discovering German fashion brands and highlighting new opportunities for responsible fashion consumption.

Michael Biel, State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public 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 such unique and diverse ideas 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.”

From a total of 63 applications, 18 winners were chosen in the “Berlin Contemporary” category. After a formal examination of the completeness of the documents, the chances of realizing the concept as well as the ecological and social sustainability strategy in the corporate 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 business development evaluated the labels and their concepts based on design performance, marketability, media impact and the innovation factor.

This season, the solidarity-based support of Ukraine, its designers and the Ukrainian Fashion Week was continued and 4 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.

Among other things, references from previous collections and the labels' media impact served as a basis for the decision. This meant that a broad spectrum of styles representing Berlin in all its facets could once again be selected. The “Berlin Contemporary” winners once again include established brands such as NAMILIA, Richert Beil and WILLIAM FAN, as well as 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 at Berlin Fashion Week with their show. They have particularly impressed with their professional visual appearance, their strong recognition value and the high-quality workmanship of their clothing.

Christiane Arp, CEO of Fashion Council Germany: “I was delighted with the many great and innovative concepts for the Berlin Contemporary competition. It was not easy to make a decision, but this year's selection of designers makes me confident that Berlin and Germany are increasingly generating international attention as a fashion location and thus gaining relevance.” 

At “STUDIO2RETAIL” this season, 6 innovative event concepts were awarded EUR 5,000 each as part of the concept competition. In addition to 5 prize money from the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, a sixth prize money was provided by Berliner Sparkasse, which supports the media and creative industry in addition to its established offers. Natascha von Hirschhausen x LoopLook was thus selected as the sixth winner. This and the five other winners - HUMAN TOUCH, KATHARINA DUBBICK, PLATTE, rebirth studios and SBLMTN studio - were selected from a total of 26 submissions and impressed the judges 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 can gain insights behind the scenes of fashion creators, get to know exciting new German brands and immerse themselves in the fascinating world of Berlin fashion, even if they are not trade visitors. 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 thus enrich the city,” says Scott Lipinski, CEO of the Fashion Council Germany.

Jurors

Berlin Contemporary:

Christiane Arp (Fashion Council Germany / Vorstandsvorsitzende), Dilys Williams (Centre for Sustainable Fashion / Director), Hanan Besovic (@ideservecouture / Fashion Experte) Johanna Dramé (Senatsverwaltung für Wirtschaft, Energie und Betriebe), Patrick Pendiuk (Vogue Germany / Senior Fashion Features Editor), Simone Heift (The KaDeWe Group / Group Buying Director), Thibaud Guyonnet (VOO STORE / Buying Director).

STUDIO2RETAIL:

Dries Vriesacker (Enfnts Terribles / Creative Director), Herbert Hofmann (Highsnobiety / Creative- & Buying Director), Johanna Dramé (Senatsverwaltung für Wirtschaft, Energie und Betriebe), Manuel Almeida Vergara (Berliner Zeitung / Ressortleiter Mode & Stil), Marvin Mario (Content Creator & Stylist), Scott Lipinski (Fashion Council Germany / CEO).

All shows and events during Berlin Fashion Week can now be registered for the official BFW calendar.

The official calendar will be published in December. In 2024, Berlin Fashion Week will take place from February 5th - 8th and July 1st - 4th.