Berlin Fashion Week has undergone some fundamental changes since its debut in 2007. What has been the most significant transformation of the Berlin Fashion Week format for you to date?

Neo.Fashion. has been around since 2017 and has only been an official part of Berlin Fashion Week since 2020. A lot has changed since then, especially for me as an organizer. This means that Berlin Fashion Week has also changed. In my view, new formats are now receiving more attention and acceptance. The whole thing is no longer so "elitist". I would say that Berlin Fashion Week is opening up. The supportive role of the Berlin Senate and the Fashion Council Germany is particularly noteworthy. I personally also feel a steadily growing cohesion and exchange between the stakeholders. This change is more than positive.

Since last season, Berlin Fashion Week has been undergoing a change of heart: the focus is on innovative formats, young designers and sustainable concepts. How do you assess this positive change for Berlin Fashion Week in an international comparison?

I don't know the shows in the other countries well enough. But for Berlin and Fashion Week, I see clear signals that everyone responsible is aware that something had to change. Therefore, one of the most important decisions is that the Fashion Council Germany, as patron of the German fashion and design landscape, is now primarily responsible for the planning, implementation and communication of the BFW.

I also see it as positive that there is a clear strategy for the new, different formats and that this is being further developed. In the interests of Neo.Fashion., I am of course pleased that the young talent is now being given more and more visibility and attention.

What are you most looking forward to at the upcoming Berlin Fashion Week?

I am looking forward to the many discussions and exchanges with the participants and guests and, of course, to the many great collections from Germany's best graduates and young up-and-coming designers. I am grateful and proud that, despite all the adversities, we have once again managed to welcome young design talent from Ukraine. I am also looking forward to the bubbling creativity on every corner, which will also be reflected in completely new formats such as "Neo.Fashion.Letters- Fashion meets Art".

The Neo.Fashion. will take place on July 11th and 12th, 2023 in the Alte Münze. The "Neo.Fashion. Award Show" of the Best Graduates and Aspiring Designers will also take place in the Alte Münze on Wednesday, July 12th, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

ABOUT Neo.Fashion.

The Neo.Fashion. has set itself the goal of being a platform and hub for the best graduates of fashion schools and young designers from all over Germany and the German-speaking region and of presenting Fashion for Future to a broad audience of professionals and visitors as part of the "Best Graduates' Shows", exhibitions and digital presentations as well as other show formats.

As a new future network, the Neo.Fashion. project offers young aspiring designers from universities across Germany as well as already established fashion creatives an (event) platform for presenting their collections, for further training, for making contacts with fashion brands and the industry and for networking. The format of Neo.Fashion. is unique in this form and breadth and an absolute premiere for promoting young talent in the German fashion and creative landscape. The event follows a sustainability approach, both in its organization and implementation. Neo.Fashion. wants to continue to grow in the coming years - to ensure sustainability, the participation of all German universities with fashion design is sought.

We would like to thank Jens Zander for the interview.