NEWS: The seven finalists of the FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund at the Berliner Salon

The FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund, which is jointly initiated by the Fashion Council Germany and VOGUE Germany, has selected its finalists. At a festive cocktail reception in the James-Simon-Galerie on Monday afternoon, the seven labels were announced, which are now starting the second selection phase: Kasia Kucharska, Lou de Bètoly, LUEDER, NAMILIA, Richert Beil, SF1OG and Sia Arnika.

During Berlin Fashion Week in July 2024, the creations of the up-and-coming designers will be exhibited at Der Berliner Salon in the iconic Bode Museum. The group exhibition, organized by the Berlin agency NOWADAYS, is curated by Managing Director Marcus Kurz and FCG CEO Christiane Arp. The aim of the FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund is to promote young design talents who pursue a particularly innovative and creative approach and to accompany them on their way into the industry.

Christiane Arp, Chairwoman of the Board of Fashion Council Germany, emphasizes: "We have received many outstanding applications, which have once again made it clear how high the level of designers based in Germany is and that they can also keep up in international comparison. For this reason, the jury and I did not find it easy to select the finalists. But I am convinced that we have selected seven great designers."

At the official Berlin Salon Opening, the seven finalists were presented to the professional audience. In the group exhibition, the designers each exhibit two looks from their collections. The exhibition can still be visited by the public throughout the week until Sunday, July 7th. In an application process lasting several weeks, the finalists were selected by a top-class jury of experts. The second selection phase begins immediately, in which they must submit further documents, including an introduction video including a business plan and, optionally, a collection concept. In September 2024, the winner will be announced at an event in Berlin.

Scott Lipinski, CEO Fashion Council Germany: "With the exhibition of the seven finalists at the Berliner Salon, we are building on the successful partnership of recent seasons. For the July Edition, we are once again pleased to have the opportunity to offer a stage to the participants of one of our initiatives. The renowned exhibition of the Berliner Salon offers the perfect setting for this and also strengthens the connection between the two institutions through Christiane Arp's curation."

In the group exhibition of Der Berliner Salon, some members of the Fashion Council Germany are also exhibited. Among them are Anne Bernecker, Des Filles Désir, International Citizen, Karen Jessen, Katharina Dubbick, Leinz Contemporary Eyewear Berlin, Natascha von Hirschhausen, PB 0110 and Société Angelique.

More details on the first issue of the FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund can be found on VOGUE.de and on the Fashion Council Germany website.

The initiative was awarded in the competition for innovative event formats. Co-financed by the European Union and the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises.