The Fashion Council Germany's funding program presents young design talents at Der Berliner Salon

The six young up-and-coming talents of our FASHION x CRAFT development program presented their final looks at Der Berliner Salon during Berlin Fashion Week . The initiative aims to further educate and support young graduates in fashion and textile design through tailored workshops in the areas of sustainability, craftsmanship, and innovation.

In an intensive project phase lasting over 12 months, the winners of the third year, Chantal Wehran (Amsterdam Fashion Institute), Jasmin Wottke (HAW Hamburg), Maira Gath (Hochschule Hannover), Michelle Bohnes (HTW Berlin), Niclas Hasemann (Hochschule Pforzheim) and Paula Dischinger (Institut Francais de la Mode), gained important knowledge to lay the foundation for their creative careers.

In April 2024, the designers gathered in Berlin for a three-day workshop where they gained valuable insights from experts such as Johann Erhardt (Haderlump Atelier Berlin) and Olivia Ballard on topics like brand building and business strategies. Afterwards, they traveled to The King's Foundation 's educational center to learn traditional crafts such as basket weaving and weaving. Based on these experiences, the six emerging talents designed their final looks.

At the opening of the Berlin Salon, two further coats were also presented, created in teams of three specifically for the tenth anniversary of the The designs were created as part of The King's Foundation's Future Textiles initiative . All the designs were intended to be a modern adaptation of the classic luxury coat, blending traditional elements with the designers' creative DNA. Aspects such as craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation were incorporated. The emerging designers crafted their final creations, as well as both coats, from traditional fabrics by Harris Tweed Hebrides. These textiles, known for their sustainability, played a central role in the designs and underscore the focus on connecting contemporary fashion with traditional craftsmanship.

Mark Hogarth , Brand Ambassador at Harris Tweed Hebrides, explains: “ Harris Tweed Hebrides is proud to have been part of the ‘FASHION X CRAFT’ project, which culminated in its final presentation at Berlin Fashion Week. Since the first presentation of Harris Tweed® at Highgrove House in England, designers have explored the cultural heritage and character of the fabrics, creating garments that blend traditional craftsmanship with a unique and contemporary aesthetic. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with The King’s Foundation, the Fashion Council Germany, and these talented designers to curate a collection that embraces both style and sustainability as its ethos.”

“Our FASHION X CRAFT initiative demonstrates the power of combining tradition and innovation. By empowering young designers to work with high-quality craftsmanship and sustainable materials, we not only create exceptional fashion but also preserve valuable craftsmanship for the future. That's why it's particularly important to me that we have eBay as a new partner for the next edition and will continue FASHION X CRAFT together with The King's Foundation. We're planning some changes to make the project even more appealing to our participants.” adds Scott Lipinski , CEO Fashion Council Germany.

Continuing the project is an important step in further strengthening the bridge between traditional techniques and modern developments in the fashion industry. With the support of partners like eBay and The King's Foundation, the initiative not only provides a platform for emerging talent but also fosters the exchange of knowledge. The application period for the fourth edition opens at the end of February.

Following their residency in Highgrove, the six designers founded the H6 Collective, which presented an interactive exhibition with live performances during Berlin Fashion Week. The concept won an award in the STUDIO2RETAIL category of the BFW Concept Competition.

More information about FASHION x CRAFT can be found HERE .

(Photo credit: Ben Mönks for Fashion Council Germany)