The winners of the concept competition for Berlin Fashion Week in July 2023 have been selected. Two expert juries, comprised of renowned industry professionals, awarded prizes to 23 winners from 102 submissions. In the "Berlin Contemporary" category (fashion shows), 18 winners will receive prize money of €25,000, including four Ukrainian designers. In the "STUDIO2RETAIL" category (studio/atelier events), five concepts were awarded €5,000 each.

The competition, sponsored by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises and implemented by the Fashion Council Germany, aims to highlight Berlin as a central fashion hub for international industry professionals and to provide a platform for design excellence. The winning concepts of "Berlin Contemporary" impressed with their innovation and outstanding design achievements, and serve as representatives of the German fashion landscape, particularly in international comparison. The "STUDIO2RETAIL" winners impressed with holistic event concepts designed to make fashion accessible to interested consumers beyond the catwalk.

At " Berlin Contemporary," 18 concepts out of 77 applicants impressed with their exceptional design achievements in their collections, a strong brand identity, and outstanding approaches to their corporate philosophies and event concepts. In addition to 14 German brands, four Ukrainian labels were once again recognized, continuing this tradition as a sign of ongoing solidarity with Ukraine this season.

The 14 German winners are: Acceptance Letter Studio , Esther Perbandt, Fassbender , Haderlump Atelier Berlin , LML Studio , Milk of Lime , Namilia , ODEEH , Olivia Ballard , RIANNA + NINA , Richert Beil , Sia Arnika , SF1OG and William Fan .

The four Ukrainian brands are: Bobkova , Litkovska , DZHUS and PODYH .

These designers were selected based on their compelling past collections, as well as their ideas and mood boards for upcoming designs and their presentation concepts. As BERLIN CONTEMPORARY, they represent the diversity of Berlin as a city and offer a mix of established labels and emerging new designers. While familiar names from the first edition of the competition, which impressed in January, can be found, newcomers such as Haderlump Atelier Berlin, Milk of Lime, Richert Beil, and PODYH also make an appearance, promising exciting presentations.

In the "STUDIO2RETAIL" category, five concepts were awarded €5,000 each for creating exceptional store and studio events that focus on the key themes of sustainability, diversity, and innovation. These events are designed to attract the broadest possible audience and facilitate exchange between fashion designers and interested guests. The five winners— PLATTE Berlin , Lou de Bètoly , GATE194 , Christian Wijnants – Berlin Store , and Natascha von Hirschhausen —impressed the jury primarily with their focus on end consumers. Their concepts aim to make Berlin Fashion Week accessible to everyone while simultaneously offering opportunities for sustainable shopping that supports labels outside the mainstream market. The submissions were particularly convincing due to their professional concepts, which promise successful and well-attended events during Fashion Week.

Further information can be found in our initiative and on the Berlin Fashion Week website.