Fashion Council Germany presents the winners of the FASHION X CRAFT funding project in partnership with the Swarovski Foundation and The Prince's Foundation at the Firesidechat during Berlin Fashion Week.

The eight young designers were presented to the 200 national and international guests from fashion, media, culture, business and politics.

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At the first Firesidechat of the year, held during Berlin Fashion Week, the winners of the new FASHION X CRAFT funding project, launched by the Fashion Council Germany in partnership with the Swarovski Foundation and The Prince's Foundation, were presented to the guests. From numerous applications, the jury selected eight emerging designers who will receive a tailored support program over the coming months.

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The main focus of this project is to explore new avenues in traditional craftsmanship, foster innovative thinking, and introduce participants to sustainable methods and materials for their future work. The project includes a series of twelve webinars, a three-day intensive workshop, and a three-week stay at The Princes Foundation's new educational facility in Highgrove, part of the estate of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in Gloucestershire, England.

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The winners of the funding program include Alexis Mersmann (HTW Berlin), Jana Heinemann (HTW Berlin), Julia Ballardt and Nico Verhaegen (Royal Academy Antwerp), Mirjam von Mengershausen (Kunsthochschule Berlin Weißensee), Philip Kofi Wagner (Hannover University of Applied Sciences), Svea Katharina Beckedorf (Central Saint Martins College London) and Taskin Goec (Berlin Weißensee School of Art).

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To mark Firesidechat, the industry event of Berlin Fashion Week, two looks per winner will be presented to guests in the lobby of the Hotel Zoo, accompanied by a brief description of the respective designers. The installation will be on display there until the end of the week.

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For Christiane Arp, Chairwoman of the Fashion Council Germany and jury member at FASHION X CRAFT, supporting emerging designers is a matter close to her heart: “Fashion has a global integrative power, both as a cultural asset and as an economic factor. It stands for freedom and boundless creativity – values that are more important today than ever before. FASHION X CRAFT creates connections, invites dialogue, and is therefore another milestone for the Fashion Council Germany.”

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Jakhya Rahman-Corey, Director of the Swarovski Foundation, commented: “The Swarovski Foundation is committed to fostering creativity and access to art while simultaneously having a positive impact on society and the environment. We are delighted to support the FASHION X CRAFT educational program, which has generated overwhelming interest among young talents throughout Germany. This demonstrates the strong commitment of young people to use their creativity to raise awareness and find solutions for social and environmental sustainability.”

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Jacqueline Farrell, Education Director of The Prince's Foundation, adds: “The FASHION X CRAFT educational program allows participants to develop their practice in new and exciting ways through a series of specialized workshops conducted by The Prince's Foundation in traditional techniques not usually associated with fashion, such as basket weaving, decorative plasterwork, and wood carving. The level of applicants is remarkably high, and I am very much looking forward to seeing how the design work of the successful candidates evolves as they gain an even greater understanding and renewed appreciation of craftsmanship.”

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Since 2018, the Fashion Council Germany has been regularly bringing together decision-makers with its networking format, the Firesidechat, to build networks and stimulate the exchange of ideas in an informal atmosphere. In addition to the board and members of the Fashion Council Germany, the following industry experts were present: Andrea Latten (Condé Nast), Alexx Weeber (Alexx & Anton), Esther Perbandt, Fiona Bennett , Frank Fischer (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy), Jakhya Rahman-Corey (Swarovski Foundation), Kristian Schuller (photographer), Magdalena Schaffrin & Max Gilgenmann (Studio mm04), Malaika Raiss , Michael Biel (State Secretary, Senate for Economic Affairs, Berlin), Michael Sontag , Mirjam Smend (Greenstyle Muc), Thorsten Mindermann (H&M), and many more.

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The event took place in compliance with the 2G+ rule (vaccinated 3 times or vaccinated and tested 2 times).

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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 relief in Ukraine. Donations can be made via the following link .

More information about the FASHION X CRAFT funding project can be found at the following link .