NEWS: Celebratory Opening of Berlin Fashion Week at Grill Royal

Berlin, 30 June 2025: Following a successful start filled with numerous presentations, installations and shows, the first day of Berlin Fashion Week concluded on Monday evening with the official BFW Opening Dinner. On the invitation of Franziska Giffey, Mayor and Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises, and Fashion Council Germany (FCG), guests were welcomed at the renowned restaurant Grill Royal. More than 200 guests from fashion, politics, media, and the cultural and creative industries gathered in an exclusive setting to exchange ideas, strengthen networks and celebrate the creative influence of Berlin’s fashion scene. The evening marked the beginning of a Berlin Fashion Week that more than ever stands for progress, international collaboration, creative synergies and future-oriented design.

Until 3 July, Berlin once again offers a progressive platform for emerging designers to present their Spring Summer 2026 collections through runway shows, immersive installations, exhibitions and pop-up stores. Rising talents, established labels and the winners of the concept competition "Berlin Contemporary" – initiated by Fashion Council Germany and the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises - will showcase visions of fashion that embrace sustainability, diversity and cultural relevance. The line-up is more international than ever before. In addition to three African labels, designers from the United Kingdom, France, the United States and Ukraine will present their collections. Iconic venues such as the Palais am Funkturm, the Bunker West, the Feuerle Collection and Kranzler X reinforce Berlin’s status as an experimental stage for the global fashion industry.

Christiane Arp, Chairwoman of Fashion Council Germany, and Franziska Giffey, Mayor and Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises, welcomed the guests and highlighted Berlin’s special role as a dynamic hub for diversity, inclusion and creativity. Berlin Fashion Week powerfully demonstrates how creative excellence and economic potential intersect in the capital. The diversity of formats and brands makes it clear that Berlin not only nurtures talent, but also offers space for development, exchange and visible creative impact. It is precisely in the interplay of fashion, culture and commerce that an environment emerges with the potential to drive momentum for the entire industry.

Christiane Arp remarked: „Berlin Fashion Week is a place of connection. For industry professionals and fashion enthusiasts alike, it offers the opportunity to discover what’s new and follow current developments. It is steadily establishing itself as an internationally recognised platform for emerging talents, giving them greater visibility and recognition.”

Franziska Giffey added: "Berlin is both a cultural centre and an important business location for the creative scene. Berlin Fashion Week is an impressive demonstration of what happens when creativity meets entrepreneurial spirit. It is a flagship for the innovative strength of our city and stands for what Berlin is all about: diversity, fresh ideas and the courage to break new ground. At the same time, Berlin Fashion Week is also an important anchor for the industry. Especially in difficult economic times, a resilient and well-connected creative scene is of great importance for Berlin as a business location."

The evening was marked by vibrant exchange across the industry, with the diversity of guests playing a key role in the dynamic and inspiring atmosphere. Among the guests were Anita Gigovskaya (Condé Nast), Alexis Hoopes (Global VP of Fashion, eBay), Dr. Christian Ehler (EU Parliament), Christa Bösch  & Cosima Gadient (Ottolinger), David Koma (Designer), Declan Chan (Stylist, Influencer and Creative Consultant), Edward Buchanan (Perfect Magazine), Grace Banks (Forbes), Hanan Besovic (ideservecouture), Jörg Koch (032c), Kerstin Schneider (Harper’s Bazaar), Kerstin Weng (VOGUE Germany), Mumi Haiati (Reference Studios), Maliha Shoaib (Vogue Business), Michael Biel (Berlin State Secretary for Economic Affairs), Sara Sozzani Maino (Fondazione Sozzani), Susie Lau (Style Bubble) and Stavros Karelis (Machine-A).