NEWS: FASHION COUNCIL GERMANY OPENS FIRST BRANCH OUTSIDE BERLIN: "localONE"

Mannheim, May 3, 2023:

The Fashion Council Germany announces the opening of its first branch in Mannheim in June 2023 as part of an FCGFIRESIDECHAT in Mannheim. Among the guests were Christiane Arp (FCG), Christian Heinrici (Textilwirtschaft), Andreas Hilgenstock (Engelhorn), Hubertus Junge (Alpha Industries), David Lehr (Breuninger), Jürgen Leute (Luisa Cerano), Dr. Peter Kurz (Lord Mayor of Mannheim), Robert Rivera (Different Fashion), Magdalena Schaffrin (Studio MM04), Christian Sommer (Next Mannheim) und Nicoline Wöhrle (Dr. Hauschka).. The aim of “localONE” is to enable increased activation of the federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Hesse from Mannheim.

In future, “localONE” will support regional members, carry out political lobbying and identify new funding opportunities. Scott Lipinski, Managing Director of the FCG, explains: “The Fashion Council Germany has never focused exclusively on Berlin. We started in Berlin and that's where our office is, but we have a nationwide focus. The limited number of regional activities has encouraged us to expand a national network in order to offer as many members as possible a direct point of contact and to have a stronger presence outside of Berlin. localONE is a pilot project that we want to expand to other locations if successful. localTWO, THREE, FOUR and FIVE are our goal.”

The Fashion Council Germany has found a strong local partner in NEXT Mannheim and, in particular, TEXTILEREI in Mannheim. A possible pop-up area in the TEXTILEREI as well as contact opportunities with Mannheim stores and players create additional benefits for existing and potential members. Nico Hoffmeister, head of TEXTILEREI and future localONE manager, emphasizes: “We are delighted that the Fashion Council Germany is opening its first regional office in Mannheim with our support. Since its foundation in 2015, the FCG has achieved a great deal and established itself as the leading interest group for fashion in and from Germany. They unite young start-ups with established companies like no other organization does in Germany. With localONE, both our local designers and the creatives of the entire German fashion industry have the opportunity to be represented in a new location.” 

Mannheim's Lord Mayor Dr. Peter Kurz is delighted with this development: “For the city of Mannheim, the cooperation with the Fashion Council Germany offers the opportunity for supra-regional networking and enables us to forge a strong bond with the German fashion industry with the help of TEXTILEREI and NEXT Mannheim. Mannheim is an exceptional location where the cultural and creative industries have long had a real home with cultural and economic significance. Now, with the Fashion Council Germany, we have gained a new strong partner that will increase our visibility.”

Further FCG local offices are being planned and will be accessible to all regional members throughout Germany in the future. For the time being, the FCG would like to define the structure, offers and initiatives with the Mannheim pilot project. The Berlin office will continue to act as the head office and remain the central point of contact for the FCG.