150 applications, 18 experts – and a unanimous decision. This season, the expert juries of the two concept competitions BERLIN CONTEMPORARY and STUDIO2RETAIL have once again jointly selected a diverse lineup: A total of 19 labels from four continents, supported by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, will present fashion shows during the upcoming Berlin Fashion Week from July 2nd to 5th, 2026; in addition, six outstanding concepts for studio events, which will include not only the international trade audience but also the general public, have been selected.

“I’ve been a jury member for some time now, and it’s wonderful to see how much the quality and diversity of the submitted concepts have grown ,” said Herbert Hofmann (Highsnobiety), who once again served on the expert jury in the BERLIN CONTEMPORARY show category this season. Fellow jury member Susanna Lau (Susie Bubbles) added: “The final selection reflects Berlin Fashion Week’s commitment to fostering emerging talent with innovative presentations and further strengthens its reputation as a platform for designers from the Global South.”

This season, in addition to the German-based brands Andrej Gronau , DAGGER , Gerrit Jacob GmbH, Haderlump Atelier Berlin , Kasia Kucharska , Laura Gerte ,LUEDER , Marke , Milk of Lime , SF1OG , Selva , UNVAIN , and William Fan , as well as the New York City label BARRAGÁN and the Tokyo-based John Lawrence Sullivan, three brands headquartered in African countries were honored: Fruché and Orange Culture from Nigeria and BUZIGAHILL from Uganda. "It's impressive to see how the Fashion Council Germany is committed to bringing new talent into the spotlight while simultaneously building bridges around the world," emphasizes jury member Eniafe Momodu. " This year's jury selection includes designers from Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Asia. It truly is a celebration of design talent from all over the world, united by their shared skill and craftsmanship."

In the STUDIO2RETAIL event category, the second jury selected the concepts of the labels Dennis Chuene , Esther Perbandt , Ioannes , Lou de Bètoly , PLAID-À-PORTER , and Richert Beil . Kirsty Keoghan (eBay), a member of this year's jury, highlights:

"Their work conveys a genuine sense of determination and creativity - concepts that not only complement Berlin Fashion Week, but meaningfully develop its momentum in terms of circularity and innovation."

In both categories, the sustainable orientation of the submitted concepts will receive even greater attention next season: Following a pilot phase, the Sustainability Requirements will come fully into effect. This binding set of rules, which was adopted in a modified form from Copenhagen Fashion Week, will apply from July 2026 to all labels that wish to have their shows and events listed in the official Berlin Fashion Week calendar. Thus, the winning designs represent not only creative excellence but also responsible and future-oriented fashion production.

BERLIN CONTEMPORARY is a concept competition that awards 19 labels €25,000 each to realize a fashion show during Berlin Fashion Week. The prize money is provided by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises. In addition to labels headquartered in Germany, up to five international brands can also be recognized. The highest-rated brand from an African country – this season BUZIGAHILL – will also receive additional support services related to production, guest management, and public relations. The winners are decided by an independent expert jury, which this season consists of Christiane Arp (Fashion Council Germany), Johanna Dramé (Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises), Herbert Hofmann (Highsnobiety), Stavros Karelis (Onassis Foundation), Susanna Lau (Susie Bubbles), Sara Sozzani Maino (Fondazione Sozzani), Eniafe Momodu (Prism Creative Limited), Irene Ojo-Felix (Models.com) and Patrick Pendiuk (Vogue Germany).

STUDIO2RETAIL is a competition that awards six concepts for showroom, pop-up, or exhibition formats during Berlin Fashion Week that engage both international industry professionals and end consumers. Five prizes of €5,000 each are provided by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises; a sixth prize—this year awarded to Dennis Chuene—is provided by Berliner Sparkasse. An independent jury of experts decides the winners in this category as well, this season consisting of Johanna Dramé (Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises), Kerstin Geffert (Silk Relations), Sonja Hodzode (Stylist & Creative Consultant), Elliot Hoste (Dazed), Jasmina & David (JasminaTV), Kirsty Keoghan (eBay), Scott Lipinski (Fashion Council Germany), Ann-Kathrin Riedl (Fräulein Magazine), and Nina Trippel (Cee Cee Creative).