Together with Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey, State Secretary Michael Biel opened Berlin Fashion Week and called for solidarity with Ukraine.

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Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey and State Secretary Michael Biel opened Berlin Fashion Week in front of around 150 guests, including brands, designers, organizers and media representatives at Kraftwerk Berlin. At the request of the organizers, Berlin Fashion Week will take place for the first time in March.

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Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey opened Fashion Week with the following words: “This important event today is also a sign that we are committed to art, culture, creativity and also to freedom and solidarity. In times that are difficult and in which we feel for the people who are at war or who come to Berlin from Ukraine and need help. I know that many of them, like us, have had discussions in preparation for Fashion Week about how to deal with this. Today is day 18 of Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine. We are all shocked and appalled. We are in Berlin to help in any way we can. And we also asked ourselves whether we could allow an event like this to take place. And I tell you: Yes, we can - especially in these times. Because we are all here together sending a sign of solidarity, compassion, cooperation, help and freedom. We stand for our democratic values ​​and freedom, especially in this situation. And so thank you for being here!"

State Secretary Michael Biel, Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Enterprises commented: "Ladies and gentlemen, the Governing Mayor has found impressive words and described the situation we currently have in Europe. I believe it is an important signal that we must send out from this fashion factory. Berlin is the city of freedom, Berlin is the city of solidarity and we say very clearly, loudly and distinctly: No to war "ni viyni" and the world must hear that, including from Berlin Fashion Week. The topic of creative industries has found a very special place. We are both aware of this, this Senate is very aware of it and you always show very impressively how important it is that we support this economy for Berlin. They are important for this city and 4800 companies in Berlin are involved in the fashion industry or are the fashion industry. 25,500 jobs are based in this economy and 5 billion euros in sales is no small contribution, they are an important part of the backbone of Berlin Economy, for Berlin companies, and we would like to thank you very much for that on behalf of politicians!”

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Following the opening reception, the Berliner Salon, one of the many highlights of Berlin Fashion Week, took place. The Fashion Council Germany and the Berliner Salon organized the opening reception to mark the opening of Berlin Fashion Week.

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Together with the alliance of German aid organizations Aktion Deutschland Hilft e. V., the Fashion Council Germany is calling for donations for emergency aid in Ukraine. Donations can be made using the following link.