Offizieller Partner des FCG ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP Seit Juli 2023 ist der Online-Marktplatz eBay Deutschland offizieller Partner des Fashion Council Germany. Die beiden Organisationen vereinen seitdem ihre Kräfte und unterstützen sich gegenseitig in ihren strategischen, kreativen und brancheninternen Prozessen. Als leitende Instanz für die deutsche Modeindustrie hat der FCG es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, Modeunternehmen in Deutschland bei ihrem Wachstum zu unterstützen und diese besonders auch im Hinblick auf Nachhaltigkeit zu fördern. eBay spielt als einer der größten Online-Marktplätze Deutschlands ebenfalls eine tragende Rolle, Händler:innen und Privatpersonen eine vertrauenswürdige Plattform für Kreislaufwirtschaft zu bieten. Mit der Partnerschaft setzt eBay ein deutliches Zeichen, um zunehmend als Enabler der Industrie wahrgenommen zu werden. EBAY X FCG Seit Beginn der Zusammenarbeit wurden bereits diverse gemeinsame Projekte und Initiativen erfolgreich umgesetzt. Darunter die gemeinsame Reise nach Schottland zur Fashion Zukunft Konferenz, sowie das mitwirken am Schülerprojekt Generation Zukunft. In gemeinsamen Fireside Dinners u.a. in Heidelberg, Hamburg und München stand das Networking im Vordergrund. Gemeinsam wurde außerdem die "Studie zum Status Deutscher Mode 2024" mit Fokus auf Circularity und Nachhaltigkeit erstellt. Zur Berlin Fashion Week unterstützt eBay außerdem das Talk-Format 'METAMORPHOSIS - dialogues about change' sowie das Präsentations-Format RAUM.Berlin. Der FCG unterstützt außerdem den eBay Circular Fashion Fund bei Announcement, Kommunikation, Durchführungen und Aktivierung des Awards. Die Nachwuchsförderung wird auch beim Förderprojekt FASHION X CRAFT unterstützt. ABOUT EBAY eBay Inc. ist ein weltweit führendes Handelsunternehmen, das Millionen Käufer:innen und Verkäufer:innen in mehr als 190 Märkten auf der ganzen Welt verbindet. Dabei werden wirtschaftliche Möglichkeiten für einzelne Menschen, Entrepreneur:innen sowie Unternehmen und Organisationen jeder Größe geschaffen. eBay wurde 1995 in San José, Kalifornien, gegründet und ist einer der größten und dynamischsten Marktplätze der Welt, mit einer einzigartigen Auswahl. Im Jahr 2023 ermöglichte eBay über seine Plattform ein Handelsvolumen von mehr als 73 Milliarden US-Dollar. PROJECTS Erhalte einen Überblick, über die Projekte, die eBay aktiv fördert und unterstützt. METAMORPHOSIS - dialogues about change Das Talk Format findet im Rahmen der Berlin Fashion Week statt. Internationale und nationale Expert:innen aus den Bereichen Kreislaufwirtschaft und der Modebranche tauschen sich über die verschiedenen Facetten und notwendigen Veränderungen in der Branche aus. RAUM.Berlin RAUM.Berlin ist das neue Präsentations Format zur Berlin Fashion Week. Ausgewählte Designer:innen zeigen ihre Kollektionen in individuell gestalteten Räumen. Jede Inszenierung ist ein Statement, jedes Label bringt eine eigene Vision mit. EBAY CIRCULAR FASHION FUND Der Circular Fashion Fund zielt darauf ab, neue Technologien und Dienstleistungen auf den Markt zu bringen, die nicht nur das Potenzial haben, die Modeindustrie nachhaltig zu verändern, sondern auch einen echten Beitrag zur Förderung der Kreislaufwirtschaft leisten. FIRESIDECHATS Mit dem Networking Event FIRESIDECHATS bringt der Fashion Council Germany Entscheidungsträger:innen der deutschen Modebranche zusammen. Darunter: Fashion Brands, Designer:innen, Redakteur:innen, Politische Entscheidungsträager:innen, etc. GENERATION ZUKUNFT Fashion Council Germany und The PVH Foundation schließen sich für das Bildungsprogramm „Generation Zukunft“ zusammen, um Schüler:innen in Deutschland über die Modeindustrie aufzuklären FASHION ZUKUNFT Das Zusammenbringen verschiedener Generationen zur Förderung einer nachhaltigen Modeindustrie - ist das Ziel unserer Fashion Zukunft Konferenz in Partnerschaft mit The King's Foundation. FASHION X CRAFT In Partnerschaft mit eBay Deutschland und The King’s Foundation, werden junge Mode- und Texildesigner:innen gefördert. Sie durchlaufen ein Programm mit Fokus auf die Bereiche Nachhaltigkeit, Kreislaufwirtschaft, Handwerkskunst und Innovation. NEWS Erfahre mehr über die neuesten Projekte, Entwicklungen und Informationen zur Partnerschaft. FASHION ZUKUNFT Konferenz in Schottland: Jugendliche diskutieren die Zukunft der Mode Read More Jetzt als Podcast verfügbar: METAMORPHOSIS - dialogues about change Read More Neues Format RAUM.Berlin gibt erfolgreiches Berlin Fashion Week Debüt Read More Förderprogramm FASHION x CRAFT mit Residency in England Read More Generation Zukunft wächst weiter - jetzt mit interaktiven Hubs in drei Städten Read More Jetzt online: Die Talks der dritten METAMORPHOSIS-Ausgabe im Rahmen der Berlin Fashion Week Read More RECAP DAY III with AVENIR | PLNGNS | ROUGH. Read More RECAP DAY II with JISOO BAIK | KASIA KUCHARSKA | LADO BOKUCHAVA Read More Mehr laden

26. Dez. 2025 “The fashion industry remains an emotionally driven field,” says Simone Hartmann, head of the recruitment agency Hartmann Consultants and board member of Fashion Council Germany‘s Board of Directors. In this interview, she explains how companies can channel this emotional aspect and structure their teams in a way that enables them to work as successfully as possible. Simone Hartmann, you are the head of the agency Hartmann Consultants and have been working in executive search since 2009. As an expert in this field — how should companies structure their personnel today in order to work successfully? Simone Hartmann: In today’s tense market and competitive environment, companies must ensure that, in addition to all professional competencies, the productivity and energy levels of their teams are also optimally aligned. Demographic change means above all that companies are dealing with mixed-age teams in which older employees are often in the majority. Companies need to know what strengths and weaknesses they can rely on in their teams in each age group. Relevant skillsets and high motivation and energy levels form the basis for productive, trusting, and meaningful collaboration and enable teams — whether working on-site, remotely, or in hybrid settings — to achieve their goals successfully. With positively energized and motivated teams, companies continue to evolve, unlock their potential, and proactively work on good answers to the challenges of our time. Is there something that makes the fashion industry particularly distinctive when it comes to personnel issues and structures? Simone Hartmann: While in the past it was often enough for fashion players to have a strong, prestigious brand in order to attract top talent and top managers, the changing job market now requires a clearly formulated talent strategy. We observe a much more strategic approach to HR management in our industry and both, brands and retailers, have understood that they need well-designed training and development pathways to retain young talent as well as middle and top management within their companies. The fashion industry remains an emotionally driven field, however, the image of the euphoric fashion world is today being questioned more critically, and specialists and executives are demanding entrepreneurial substance and responsibility in order to be attractive as an employer brand that knows how to set a future-oriented course in the age of AI by investing in the right tools and developing the necessary new skills. What does this mean for HR development work in these companies? Simone Hartmann: That this work is crucial — not just as a fig leaf to improve employer branding, but to identify potential at an early stage, to recognize succession options within the company, and to meet the demand for lifelong learning and personal growth across generations. So would you say it is especially important to create a balance between creativity and pragmatism within these teams? Simone Hartmann: Definitely. Teams should always be able to offer creative approaches to meeting customer needs. This holds true for design just as much as for logistics. No one can afford to ignore customer expectations anymore; however, the right balance of creativity is essential to drive innovation, bring new ideas to market, and implement new workflows and productive team dynamics. Are there nevertheless personnel-related challenges that you consider particularly relevant for fashion companies? Simone Hartmann: Certainly. One issue is the loss of specialist knowledge — for example, the “fitting competence” in the industry. At the leadership level, we see that the focus of top creatives and top managers is largely on gaining relevance and market share, which dominates their daily work. Top executives now tend to have shorter tenures on average, as the industry is under great pressure and company owners or boards expect quick results. When performance is sluggish or negative, reactions are much faster than they used to be. Speaking of leadership positions in fashion: they don’t have the best reputation — think of The Devil Wears Prada . Have you found that depiction to be accurate, or has that atmosphere changed in recent years? Simone Hartmann: There certainly used to be main characters with an attitude of infallibility — but those times are truly over. Since the principle of “data has a better idea” has taken hold, egocentrism has given way to the sobering reality of click algorithms and projected digital sales forecasts. As a result, fashion companies are increasingly evolving into tech companies. You yourself have extensive experience in fashion companies, having worked for brands such as Ralph Lauren, Triumph, and Rena Lange. What did you learn during that time? Simone Hartmann: Despite the different brand positions and company sizes, I learned a great deal about consistency in brand management. At that time, Ralph Lauren was reintegrating its licensing business and strengthening its European presence with the construction of its headquarters in Geneva. For us employees and for the retail partners, this was a clear commitment that Ralph Lauren would henceforth build its credibility and brand consistency from within — a goal that, in hindsight, was successfully achieved. Triumph on the other hand was and still is a true product specialist, and it was there that I learned product management from the ground up. Working within the European division meant close collaboration with design, marketing, and sales, and I was involved in launching a new product segment — super sexy and seductive lingerie — which sparked lively discussions among the owning families and subsidiaries. Why is that? Simone Hartmann: There were concerns about damaging the brand’s image and its established strengths such as fitting expertise and delivery reliability. Nevertheless, the launch went ahead — and neither an image loss nor compromises in fitting quality followed. On the contrary, Triumph gained an additional brand facet, which positively contributed to its perception. These lessons about the interplay between product management, design, marketing, and sales within a matrix organization, as well as insights into the entire supply chain — from pricing structures and profitability to timing challenges — have shaped me profoundly. And how was your experience at Rena Lange? Simone Hartmann: There I deepened my knowledge of the luxury segment and of selling collections that, with their niche positioning between Chanel and Escada and their distinctive brand DNA, had every reason to exist at the time. However, following a change in ownership, the brand was no longer managed consistently and quickly lost relevance due to misguided decisions — a lesson and a warning at the same time. Overall the team leaders who mentored me had a tremendous impact on my personal growth. I was very fortunate to encounter strong, charismatic leaders who shared their knowledge, recognized my potential, and actively fostered it. Today you run your own agency, Hartmann Consultants, and also volunteer your time to support the Fashion Council Germany. What motivated you to join the Board? Simone Hartmann: The Council’s mission — to act as a bridge between established brands, emerging designers, and the global fashion world — is something I consider extremely worthy of support. Fashion Council Germany is still young, and in the past ten years it has developed its reach and impact as rapidly as the industry itself has evolved. Not being burdened with a long legacy like other councils is an advantage in these transformation- and innovation-driven times. Our members benefit from this drive and commitment to advancing the profound change underway in the German fashion landscape. What professional experience do you bring to the Board? Simone Hartmann: In addition to my understanding of the fashion industry, in my current role as an executive search consultant I support companies in finding leaders and specialists who can tackle today’s challenges and view them as opportunities for meaningful change. I assess the key competencies, motivation, and drive of executives and play an active role in filling key positions in the European fashion industry. This knowledge of what makes top performers successful is something I can contribute in a filtered, applied way — making me, within the Board, the “human resources expert” who supports both our members and the Council itself in navigating HR-related topics and serves as a sounding board for these matters. This interview is an excerpt from our 10-year Fashion Council Germany booklet, in which we reflect on a decade of shaping and advancing German fashion. Discover the full booklet and explore all the stories and highlights HERE . Interview by Kelly Niesen AUTOR:IN Fashion Council Germany ANSPRECHPARTNER:IN Manuel Almeida Vergara INFOS ANFRAGEN press@fashion-council-germany.org WEBSITE/S MITGLIEDER Previous Next 10 YEARS FCG Balancing Act - Interview with Simone Hartmann

Home Der Fashion Council Germany e. V. ist der Schirmherr, um die deutsche Mode- und Designlandschaft für eine visionäre, technologische & nachhaltige Zukunft in einem globalen Markt zu stärken. BERLIN FASHION X INTERNATIONAL Internationalisierungs-Projekt für den US-amerikanischen und asiatischen Markt. Die nächste Delegationsreise nach Japan findet vom 15. bis 21. März 2026 statt. STUDIE "STATUS DEUTSCHER MODE 2024" Studie in Partnerschaft mit eBay gibt Einblicke zum Status der Modebranche und ihre Chancen für die Zukunft. BERLIN FASHION WEEK Die AW26 Edition der Berlin Fashion Week findet vom 30. Januar bis 02. Februar 2026 statt. RAUM.Berlin Das neue Präsentationsformat zur Berlin Fashion Week powered by eBay. An drei Tagen zeigen neun ausgewählte Designer:innen ihre Kollektionen in individuell gestalteten Räumen. 'METAMORPHOSIS - dialogues about change' powered by eBay Im Talk Format kommen Expert:innen der Modeindustrie zu Wort, um die verschiedenen Facetten und die notwendigen Veränderungen zu diskutieren. STATUS EUROPÄISCHER MODE Während der EFA Konferenz in Brüssel wurden die Ergebnisse der europaweiten Studie vorgestellt. FASHION X CRAFT Gemeinsam mit eBay Deutschland und The King’s Foundation fördern wir junge Talente. STUDIO2RETAIL Zur Berlin Fashion Week haben zahlreiche Designer:innen ihre Ateliers geöffnet. 10 YEARS FCG Collabs Count: Kirsty Keoghan and Sung-Joo Kim on Collaboration as Fashion’s Creative Engine Read More 10 YEARS FCG "Every fashion student should have visited a farm at least once", says Jacqueline Farrell, Education Director at The King's Foundation Read More Berlin Fashion Week Gewonnen! Diese zwölf Brands präsentieren sich bei RAUM.Berlin zur Berlin Fashion Week Read More 10 YEARS FCG Ten Questions on Success with Roel de Cooman Read More 10 YEARS FCG The People That Make It All Happen: Meet Our Team Read More 10 YEARS FCG Let's Talk Future - Conversation with Christiane Arp and Scott Lipinski Read More 10 YEARS FCG Balancing Act - Interview with Simone Hartmann Read More 10 YEARS FCG Bringing the Heavyweights on Board - Interview with Claudia Hofmann Read More Stories Alle Stories Erfahre mehr über die Arbeit des Fashion Council Germany direkt in den Beiträgen. Hier ein paar Highlights.

10 YEARS FCG Collabs Count: Kirsty Keoghan and Sung-Joo Kim on Collaboration as Fashion’s Creative Engine Read More 10 YEARS FCG "Every fashion student should have visited a farm at least once", says Jacqueline Farrell, Education Director at The King's Foundation Read More Berlin Fashion Week Gewonnen! Diese zwölf Brands präsentieren sich bei RAUM.Berlin zur Berlin Fashion Week Read More 10 YEARS FCG Ten Questions on Success with Roel de Cooman Read More 10 YEARS FCG The People That Make It All Happen: Meet Our Team Read More 10 YEARS FCG Let's Talk Future - Conversation with Christiane Arp and Scott Lipinski Read More 10 YEARS FCG Balancing Act - Interview with Simone Hartmann Read More 10 YEARS FCG Bringing the Heavyweights on Board - Interview with Claudia Hofmann Read More Berlin Fashion Week Der Streetstyle Fotowettbewerb zur BFW geht in die fünfte Runde Read More 10 YEARS FCG Ten Years FCG: Collegial Congrats from EFA Members Read More Berlin Fashion Week RAUM.Berlin: FCG und Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie arbeiten erstmals für Wettbewerb zusammen Read More 10 YEARS FCG Listen Up, Brussels! Interview with Dr. Christian Ehler Read More 10 YEARS FCG Our Founding Story: From a Private Dinner Table to the Chancellor’s Office Read More 10 YEARS FCG 10 Highlights of the Past Decade by FCG Chairwoman Christiane Arp Read More Interview Gran Canaria Swim Week – Interview mit Minerva Alonso Santana Read More News Happy Birthday to us! Impressionen unseres Jubiläums-Dinners Read More News Never Change A Winning Team: Fashion Council Germany setzt weiterhin auf starkes Quintett im Vorstand Read More News „Gemeinsam sind wir stärker“: Branchenbündnis k3d fordert nationale Gesamtstrategie für Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft Read More News Konnichiwa, Tokio! Wir präsentieren Mode aus Deutschland in Japan – und die wichtigsten Concept Stores der Welt kommen zur Sichtung Read More News FASHION ZUKUNFT Konferenz in Schottland: Jugendliche diskutieren die Zukunft der Mode Read More News Zweite Edition des FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund gestartet Read More Berlin Fashion Week Berlin Fashion Week Konzeptwettbewerb 01/2026: Das sind die Gewinner:innen von Berlin Contemporary und STUDIO2RETAIL Read More News Berlin Fashion X International Delegationsreise nach Tokio: Diese Brands sind dabei Read More News Fireside Dinner in München: Vernetzung der Modebranche Read More News Der FCG beim Vogue Forces of Fashion Event Read More News Jetzt als Podcast verfügbar: METAMORPHOSIS - dialogues about change Read More News Die FCG Mitglieder bei der FASHION POSITIONS zur Berlin Art Week 2025 Read More Berlin Fashion Week BFW Konzeptwettbewerb: Das ist die Jury für die AW26 Saison Read More News Berlin Fashion X International: Erste Delegationsreise nach Seoul Read More Berlin Fashion Week Jetzt bewerben: der Konzeptwettbewerb zur Berlin Fashion Week geht in die nächste Saison Read More Mehr laden Erfahre mehr über das, was wir tun News, Brandportraits und Interviews und alles, was den Fashion Council Germany bewegt, liest Du hier Kategorie Alle

9. Jan. 2026 “Fashion has always been a natural home for collaboration — because brands and designers don’t just sell products, they shape culture and identity,” says Kirsty Keoghan, General Manager European Fashion & Luxury at eBay. Sung-Joo Kim, Chief Visionairy Officer of MCM Worldwide and member of Fashion Council Germany’s Advisory Board, calls it “cultural alchemy,” blending creativity with heritage and modernity. In this text, we explore how joining forces in fashion, through the exchange of knowledge, creativity, and resources, drives innovation and lasting change. Fashion thrives on dialogue. It develops through the exchange of diverse ideas, cultures, and identities, as well as through creativity, sharing of practices, materials, and resources. In recent decades, this dialogue has increasingly occurred through collaborations — between designers, brands, institutions, and marketplaces. One of the first major partnerships that ignited discussions about fashion collaborations in the modern era was the collection Karl Lagerfeld designed for H&M x Karl Lagerfeld in 2004. This collection not only made new luxury designs more accessible to a broader audience — it demonstrated how companies can challenge traditional hierarchies within the industry. Since then, collaborations have become a driving force in fashion, opening new perspectives and challenging conventions. Louis Vuitton x Supreme brought heritage design into the world of streetwear, creating a cultural phenomenon that had buyers lining up outside stores; Prada x Adidas demonstrated how luxury and sportswear could merge seamlessly; partnerships like Balenciaga x Gucci proved that such individual houses could overcome their differences through shared creativity. This creative spirit also thrives within the Fashion Council Germany network: collaborations such as KHY x Namilia, Sia Arnika and Ioannes, or Namilia x Ed Hardy, show how emerging German labels are partnering with international names, blending bold aesthetics and values. As Sung-Joo Kim — Chief Visionairy Officer at MCM and a major supporter of Fashion Council Germany — explains, collaborations act as catalysts for innovation, bridging cultures, perspectives, and disciplines. “For me, they embody the spirit of East meets West: a dialogue between heritage and modernity to fuel both design and imagination,” she says. “It is, in essence, cultural alchemy at work.” At the same time, knowledge partnerships such as Deloitte x Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) demonstrate how fashion companies and institutions are combining their expertise to drive change for a more sustainable future of the industry. Collaborations bring worlds together: luxury meets streetwear, new meets vintage, tradition meets innovation. But what makes a collaboration truly successful? Kirsty Keoghan, General Manager European Fashion & Luxury at eBay and Fashion Council Germany’s official partner, explains: “Collaborations work best when they solve challenges the industry can’t tackle alone, whether that’s driving innovation, shifting perceptions, or making pre-loved fashion accessible to a broader audience. They bring together different kinds of expertise and resources to move things from idea to impact.” Keoghan adds an example: “Through eBay Endless Runway in New York and London, we partnered with a number of designers, including Erdem, Altuzarra, and Moschino, to bring archival and pre-loved pieces back to the runway — redefining perceptions of pre-loved fashion.” This collaborative spirit also lies at the heart of Fashion Council Germany. Over the past decade, our initiatives have helped to forge connections between established fashion houses and emerging talent, global companies and regional manufacturers through the exchange of ideas, resources and innovation. Together with our official partner eBay, we have created new platforms for dialogue, creativity, learning, and circularity — including the exhibition format RAUM.Berlin and the conference METAMORPHOSIS, both held during Berlin Fashion Week, as well as the support programme for emerging designers, Fashion x Craft. “Partnering with Fashion Council Germany is an important part of our vision to advance circularity in fashion,” says Keoghan. “As the pioneering pre-loved marketplace, eBay fosters innovation and creative solutions that make it easier for brands and consumers to engage in circular fashion.” With initiatives like RAUM.Berlin and METAMORPHOSIS, Keoghan explains that the aim is to provide emerging designers with a platform and demonstrate how creative approaches align with a more conscious engagement with fashion — “highlighting that pre-loved can stand confidently next to new.” Therefore, partnerships like FCG x eBay serve as prime examples: collaborations are not just about visibility or marketing but about joining forces to share knowledge and vision — essential elements for a future-oriented fashion ecosystem. In times when the fashion industry faces challenges such as digital transformation, growing consumer expectations, and sustainability, it is now more important than ever to work together. But, as Keoghan points out, there is one thing to keep in mind when partnering up: both parties need to have the same expectations and shared intent. “Collaboration only works when both sides are clear about the outcome and transparent about how to get there. Trust is built when those goals are measurable and aligned with common purpose.” This shared purpose defines the partnerships Fashion Council Germany has built over the past ten years, collaborating with international brands, research institutions, and cultural organisations. Long-term allies such as eBay, H&M, MCM, the Swarovski Foundation, The King’s Foundation, or The PVH Foundation have supported initiatives that promote education, innovation, sustainability, and more. Larger companies and organisations like these provide reach, experience, and infrastructure, while smaller labels working with them through these initiatives offer fresh perspectives and a close connection to new audiences. “Large companies gain more than visibility from collaborating with emerging labels — they gain agility, fresh vision, renewed imagination and access to new audiences,” explains Sung-Joo Kim. “Early in my career at Bloomingdale’s under Marvin Traub, I learned that limitation often sharpens creativity while abundance can breed complacency. Scale does not define innovation; perspective does. Supporting smaller labels reminds us that fresh ideas often emerge from constraint, not comfort.” This balance between scale and experimentation is what allows genuine innovation to emerge. But collaboration is not just strategic — it is deeply human. Kim adds: “It’s about empathy, trust, and shared purpose. Partnerships turn diversity into harmony and connect culture through creativity. For MCM, every collaboration reaffirms our belief that ‘Creativity is the New Power’ — a universal language that unites and inspires.” Fashion Council Germany’s network of partnerships demonstrates the power of collaboration — when creativity meets strategy and ideas are shared openly, magic happens. By uniting different voices under a common vision, collaboration becomes more than just innovation: it becomes a way to shape identity, purpose, and the future of the fashion industry itself. It supports new talent and proves that creativity grows stronger when shared. Together, we are stronger. We are bolder. And we can truly make an impact. This text is an excerpt from our 10-year Fashion Council Germany booklet, in which we reflect on a decade of shaping and advancing German fashion. Discover the full booklet and explore all the stories and highlights HERE . Text by Ronja Hetland AUTOR:IN Fashion Council Germany ANSPRECHPARTNER:IN Manuel Almeida Vergara INFOS ANFRAGEN press@fashion-council-germany.org WEBSITE/S https://www.fashion-council-germany.org/ MITGLIEDER Previous Next 10 YEARS FCG Collabs Count: Kirsty Keoghan and Sung-Joo Kim on Collaboration as Fashion’s Creative Engine

Home FASHION X CRAFT Gemeinsam mit der Swarovski Foundation und The Prince’s Foundation geht es in die zweite Runde. BERLIN FASHION WEEK Die kommende Berlin Fashion Week findet vom 05. bis 08. Februar 2024 statt. Video: William Fan SS24 UGG® CULTURE CHANGEMAKER PRIZE Der Gewinner 2023 ist SF1OG! GENERATION ZUKUNFT Mit Unterstützung der PVH Foundation geht es an deutsche Schulen. STATUS EUROPÄISCHER MODE Nimm an unserer europäischen Befragung der Modebranche teil. GERMAN FASHION FOOTPRINT Wie dreckig ist Deutsche Mode? STUDIO2RETAIL Zur Berlin Fashion Week haben zahlreiche Designer:innen ihre Ateliers geöffnet. Stories Alle Stories Erfahre mehr über die Arbeit des Fashion Council Germany direkt in den Beiträgen. Hier ein paar Highlights. 10 YEARS FCG Collabs Count: Kirsty Keoghan and Sung-Joo Kim on Collaboration as Fashion’s Creative Engine Read More 10 YEARS FCG "Every fashion student should have visited a farm at least once", says Jacqueline Farrell, Education Director at The King's Foundation Read More Berlin Fashion Week Gewonnen! Diese zwölf Brands präsentieren sich bei RAUM.Berlin zur Berlin Fashion Week Read More 10 YEARS FCG Ten Questions on Success with Roel de Cooman Read More 10 YEARS FCG The People That Make It All Happen: Meet Our Team Read More 10 YEARS FCG Let's Talk Future - Conversation with Christiane Arp and Scott Lipinski Read More 10 YEARS FCG Balancing Act - Interview with Simone Hartmann Read More 10 YEARS FCG Bringing the Heavyweights on Board - Interview with Claudia Hofmann Read More Der Fashion Council Germany e. V. ist der Schirmherr, um die deutsche Mode- und Designlandschaft für eine visionäre, technologische & nachhaltige Zukunft in einem globalen Markt zu stärken.

LINE-UP RELEASE COMING SOON RAUM.Berlin OUR PARTNERS FIND SOME STORIES HERE... Gewonnen! Diese zwölf Brands präsentieren sich bei RAUM.Berlin zur Berlin Fashion Week FIND OUT MORE Der Streetstyle Fotowettbewerb zur BFW - Einreichungen sind ab sofort möglich Kopie FIND OUT MORE RAUM.Berlin: FCG und Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie arbeiten erstmals für Wettbewerb zusammen FIND OUT MORE Neues Format RAUM.Berlin gibt erfolgreiches Berlin Fashion Week Debüt FIND OUT MORE RECAP DAY III with AVENIR | PLNGNS | ROUGH. FIND OUT MORE RECAP DAY II with JISOO BAIK | KASIA KUCHARSKA | LADO BOKUCHAVA FIND OUT MORE RAUM RECAP DAY I with DAGGER | IDEN | JULIAN ZIGERLI FIND OUT MORE BERLIN FASHION WEEK at Kranzler X FIND OUT MORE Meet the Creative behind the eBay Pre-Loved exhibition during RAUM.Berlin FIND OUT MORE RAUM.Berlin – Alles Wichtige zum neuen Ausstellungsformat auf einen Blick FIND OUT MORE ZWISCHEN TRADITIONELLER MODENSCHAU UND INTERAKTIVER INSTALLATION Kreative Grenzen ausloten, neue Formen finden: Was die entwerferische Arbeit Modeschaffender ohnehin auszeichnet, erfährt bei RAUM.Berlin eine erweiterte Bedeutung. Wir laden Designer:innen ein, ihre Kollektionen in einem ungeahnten Kontext zu präsentieren – Grenzen zwischen traditioneller Modenschau und interaktiver Installation aufzulösen, eigene Präsentationsformen zu finden. Nach einer erfolgreichen ersten Edition im Juli 2025 wurde das Format des Fashion Council Germany nun erstmals als Wettbewerb konzipiert und durch das Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie gefördert. Die gewinnenden Labels Clara Colette Miramon , Esther Perbandt , Lueder , MAXIMILIAN GEDRA , Michael Sontag , PANOS GOTSIS , Ritual Unions , Selva Huygens , Sex & Jeans , Sezgin , SVEASØN und Ultravantgarde x Hungry werden ihre Kollektionen im Rahmen der Berlin Fashion Week vom 30. Januar bis 2. Februar 2026 in Form von genreübergreifenden Modeinszenierungen präsentieren. Details zu den einzelnen Eventtagen gibt es bald hier und im offiziellen Kalender der Berlin Fashion Week . WHAT IT'S ABOUT THE BRANDS PRELOVED BY EBAY MORE STORIES OUR PARTNERS THE BRANDS PRE-LOVED. REIMAGINED. Entdecke Mode mit Geschichte – in der Pre-Loved Exhibition von eBay, kuratiert exklusiv für RAUM.Berlin. Ausgewählte Vintage- und Secondhand-Pieces treffen auf aktuelle Designvisionen und zeigen, wie inspirierend zirkuläre Mode sein kann. Jede Kreation erzählt von Stil, und Wandel. Kuratiert wird die Pre-Loved Exhibition von Christian Stemmler. Ausgewählte Vintage- und Secondhandstücke treffen auf zeitgenössisches Design. Die von Christian Stemmler kuratierte Pre-Loved Exhibition von eBay zeigt, wie kreativ und richtungsweisend zirkuläre Mode sein kann. Sie ist Teil des neuen Formats RAUM.Berlin, initiiert vom Fashion Council Germany zur Berlin Fashion Week. Stemmler verbindet in seiner kuratorischen Arbeit Erfahrung mit einem feinen Gespür für Stil und Zeitgeist. Geprägt von der Berliner Underground-Szene der 1990er Jahre und einem frühen Zugang zu Secondhand-Mode, verfolgt er bis heute einen reflektierten, nachhaltigen Zugang zu Kleidung. Für ihn ist pre-loved Fashion Ausdruck von Individualität, jenseits von Herkunft, Status oder Trends. Dieser Ansatz trifft den Zeitgeist. Besonders bei der jungen Generation wächst das Bewusstsein für einen nachhaltigeren Umgang mit Mode. Viele greifen gezielt zu Plattformen wie eBay und setzen damit ein klares Zeichen gegen kurzlebige Konsummuster. Der Trend zur Archivmode und das Wiederentdecken vergangener Kollektionen machen sichtbar, welches kreative und kulturelle Potenzial bereits vorhandene Kleidung birgt. RAUM.Berlin greift diese Entwicklung auf und macht sie zum zentralen Thema eines innovativen Ausstellungskonzepts. Das neue Format des Fashion Council Germany steht für kreative Synergien zwischen Design, Handwerk und nachhaltigem Denken. Die Pre-Loved Exhibition versteht sich dabei nicht nur als kuratorisches Statement, sondern als Einladung, Mode neu zu denken, bewusst, stilvoll und zukunftsgerichtet. MORE COMING SOON

Erfahre hier mehr über ausgewählte Initiativen, Projekte und Programme die wir für und mit der Deutschen Modebranche umsetzen. Darunter sind zahlreiche Möglichkeiten sich zu bewerben und teilzunehmen. Initiativen JUST FASHION Just Fashion ist ein EU-finanziertes Projekt, das mit 20 Partnern aus 8 Ländern innovative, zirkuläre Geschäftsmodelle, Digitalisierung und nachhaltige Praktiken in der Modeindustrie vorantreibt. Der Fashion Council Germany koordiniert ein Pilotprojekt und vernetzt das deutsche Mode-Ökosystem, um die Transformation der Branche hin zu mehr Nachhaltigkeit und Transparenz zu beschleunigen. BERLIN FASHION X INTERNATIONAL Berlin Fashion X International ist eine Initiative zur Unterstützung von nachhaltigen Business-Partnerschaften in der Modebranche zwischen Berliner Modeunternehmen und den USA, Südkorea und/oder Japan. In unterschiedlichen Formaten erhalten die teilnehmenden Brands die Möglichkeit, neue Key-Kontakte in diesen Ländern zu knüpfen und ihr Wissen über die jeweiligen Markteintritte zu stärken, um sich langfristig auf dem US-amerikanischen, südkoreanischen und/oder den japanischen Markt zu etablieren. FCG/VOGUE FASHION FUND VOGUE Germany und der FCG bringen die deutsche Ausgabe des Fashion Fund nach Berlin. Im Rahmen des Wettbewerbs FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund werden junge Designtalente gesucht, die einen innovativen und kreativen Ansatz verfolgen. FCG FUTURE MINDS SCHOLARSHIP Das Förderprogramm FCG FUTURE MINDS SCHOLARSHIP unterstützt zukunftsorientierte Design- und Businesstalente. In Zusammenarbeit mit Istituto Marangoni werden zwei Stipendien für jeweils ein Masterstudium in Mailand und London vergeben. FASHION X CRAFT In Partnerschaft mit eBay Deutschland und The King’s Foundation, werden junge Mode- und Texildesigner:innen gefördert. Sie durchlaufen ein Programm mit Fokus auf die Bereiche Nachhaltigkeit, Kreislaufwirtschaft, Handwerkskunst und Innovation. STUDIO2RETAIL Der Fashion Council Germany zusammen mit der Berliner Senatsverwaltung für Wirtschaft, Energie und Betriebe, haben das Format STUDIO2RETAIL initiiert um während der Berlin Fashion Week Endverbraucher:innen mit Berliner Brands, Einzelhandel und Ateliers zu verbinden. BERLIN CONTEMPORARY Berlin Contemporary ist ein Format in dem außergewöhnliche Designer:innen und Brands während der Berlin Fashion Week unterstützt werden sich und ihre Kollektion präsentieren. GENERATION ZUKUNFT Fashion Council Germany und The PVH Foundation schließen sich für das Bildungsprogramm „Generation Zukunft“ zusammen, um Schüler:innen in Deutschland über die Modeindustrie aufzuklären FIRESIDECHATS Mit dem Networking Event FIRESIDECHATS bringt der Fashion Council Germany Entscheidungsträger:innen der deutschen Modebranche zusammen. Darunter: Fashion Brands, Designer:innen, Redakteur:innen, Politische Entscheidungsträager:innen, etc. FASHION ZUKUNFT Das Zusammenbringen verschiedener Generationen zur Förderung einer nachhaltigen Modeindustrie - ist das Ziel unserer Fashion Zukunft Konferenz in Partnerschaft mit The King's Foundation. WERKSTATT DER ZUKUNFT Mehr Mut zur Veränderung! Die Konferenz „The New European Bauhaus – Werkstatt der Zukunft“ des Fashion Council Germany brachte im Rahmen der Frankfurt Fashion Week internationale Expert:innen zusammen, um die Zukunft der europäischen Mode- und Textilindustrie neu zu definieren. FCG FUTURE CLUB Der FCG FUTURE CLUB ist ein in 2023 gegründetes mehrtägiges Networking-Format, das einmal im Jahr auf dem Anwesen des Dumfries House, Schottland, dem Sitz der The King's Foundation, stattfindet. Während der mehrtägigen Veranstaltung treffen führende Brachenexpert:innen zusammen, um bei Gastvorträgen, Präsentationen und Keynote-Speeches teilzunehmen. MUNICH FASHION AWARD Der Munich Fashion Award richtet sich an aufstrebende Mode- und Accessoire-Designer in Europa, die sich bereits erfolgreich mit ihren nachhaltigen Kollektionen und Produkten etabliert haben und positive Markterfahrungen vorweisen können. EBAY CIRCULAR FASHION FUND Der Circular Fashion Fund zielt darauf ab, neue Technologien und Dienstleistungen auf den Markt zu bringen, die nicht nur das Potenzial haben, die Modeindustrie nachhaltig zu verändern, sondern auch einen echten Beitrag zur Förderung der Kreislaufwirtschaft leisten. EUROPEAN FASHION ALLIANCE EFA ist eine 2022 gegründete Allianz auf Mitgliederbasis, in der internationale Mode- und Textilorganisationen Erfahrungen austauschen und Veränderungen in ihrer Branche vorantreiben. K3D Fashion Council Germany ist Mitinitiator und Gründungsmitglieder der Allianz k3d. SUSTAINABILITY REQUIREMENTS Die Sustainability Requirements der Copenhagen Fashion Week wurden von der Berlin Fashion Week adaptiert und werden aktuell in einer Pilotphase eingeführt.

Next Previous FCG/VOGUE FASHION FUND Initiatives ZIELGRUPPE Newcomer Brands und junge Designer:innen mit 2 – 15 Jahren am Markt BEWERBUNG 2024: Abgeschlossen 2025: Bewerbungsphase abgeschlossen KATEGORIEN Award ABOUT THE INITIATIVE VOGUE Germany und der FCG bringen die deutsche Ausgabe des Fashion Fund nach Berlin. Im Rahmen des Wettbewerbs FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund werden junge Designtalente gesucht, die einen innovativen und kreativen Ansatz verfolgen. ALL INFORMATION Mit dem FCG/VOGUE FASHION FUND rufen der FCG und VOGUE Germany einen Wettbewerb zur Förderung von aufstrebenden Designtalenten aus. Die Initiative wurde in 2024 zum ersten Mal in Deutschland umgesetzt und wurde durch Condé Nast bereits in den USA, der UK, China und Spanien etabliert. Zu den Preisträger:innen zählten bisher unter anderen RICHARD QUINN (2022), 16ARLINGTON (2023) und Melitta Baumeister (2023). Angekündigt wurde der Wettbewerb während des offiziellen Berlin Fashion Week Opening im Februar 2024 – im September 2024 wurde aus sieben Finalist:innen Kasia Kucharska zur ersten Gewinnerin ernannt . Die zweite Edition wurde im November 2025 offiziell bekanntgegeben. Die Bewerbungsphase dafür ist abgeschlossen. ÜBER DAS PROJEKT: Im Rahmen des FCG/VOGUE FASHION FUND wird ein Wettbewerb ausgelobt, der sich an junge Designer:innen aus Deutschland richtet, um diesen internationale Sichtbarkeit zu verleihen. Gesucht werden Designer:innen die mit ihrem Label insbesondere einen innovativen Ansatz verfolgen. Der / die Gewinner:in wird mit einem Preisgeld von 50.000 Euro, bereitgestellt von KIKO MILANO, und zusätzlichen Leistungen ausgezeichnet. Diese beinhalten u.a. eine redaktionelle Einbindung bei VOGUE Germany, eine Fashion Show während der Berlin Fashion Week im Juli 2026, diverse Kommunikationsleistungen durch Condé Nast und den FCG sowie ein exklusives Business Mentoring Programm, welches den / die Gewinner:in mit Branchenexpert:innen aus verschiedenen Bereichen wie Sales, Produktion, Styling, Lieferketten und Handwerkskunst zusammen bringt. Außerdem profitiert er / sie vom Zugang zum internen FCG-Netzwerk und erhält eine kostenlose fünfjährige FCG-Mitgliedschaft. So werden umfangreiche Networking-Möglichkeiten geschaffen, in denen sich der / die Gewinner:in mit jungen Talenten und einflussreichen Persönlichkeiten der internationalen Modebranche connecten kann. ANFORDERUNGEN: Um an dem Wettbewerb teilnehmen zu können, mussten die Designer:innen die folgenden Anforderungen erfüllen: Aktives Fashion Business: mind. 2 Jahre – max. 15 Jahre am Markt Hauptsitz des Unternehmens in Deutschland Max. 30 Vollzeitbeschäftigte Max. 10 Millionen Euro Gesamtumsatz pro Jahr Die Bewerbungsphase für 2025 läuft vom 04. November bis zum 07. Dezember 2025. TIMELINE 2025-2026: 04.11.25: Verkündigung der zweiten Edition des FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund 04.11. – 07.12.25: Bewerbungsphase 08.12.25 – 19.01.26: Jury Bewertung 19.01. - 23.01.26 : Benachrichtigung der 7 Finalist:innen Feb 2026: Verkündung der Finalist:innen während der Berlin Fashion Week März 2026: Verkündung des Gewinners Ab April 2026: Mentoring Programm des Gewinners Juli 2026: Präsentation einer Kollektion des Gewinners während der Berlin Fashion Week JURY 2025-2026 Christiane Arp, Vorstandsvorsitzende Fashion Council Germany Mumi Haiati, CEO & Founder Reference Studios Scott Lipinski, CEO Fashion Council Germany Katrin Schneider, Marketing Director DE/CH bei KIKO Milano Kerstin Weng, Head of Editorial Content bei Vogue Germany Patrick Pendiuk, Fashion Features Director bei Vogue Germany Gewinnerin 2024: Kasia Kucharska ANSPRECHPARTNER:IN Laura Altenberg TELEFON +49 30 994 0489 64 INFOS ANFRAGEN laura.altenberg[at]fashion-council-germany.org WEBSITES https://www.fashion-council-germany.org/stories/eine-plattform-f%C3%BCr-den-modenachwuchs%3A--fashion-council-germany-und-vogue-germany-launchen--fcg%2Fvogue-fashion-fund-in-deutschland https://www.fashion-council-germany.org/stories/die-sieben-finalist%3Ainnen-des-fcg%2Fvogue-fashion-fund-im-der-berliner-salon https://www.condenast.de/de https://www.fashion-council-germany.org/stories/die-gewinnerin-des-fcg%2Fvogue-fashion-fund-ist-kasia-kucharska

members Diversecity Models Model Agency Diversecity Models is a modelling agency for diversity models. Because representation, diversity and inclusion matter! We represent: Ethnicity Disability Visible Uniqueness Down's Syndrome Dwarfism Vitiligo Albinism Plus Size + size 44 Alopecia Trans & Non-Binary Drag Artists Senior citizens +60 years Diversity is about recognizing and valuing the differences that exist among us. It is about embracing the fact that we all have diverse cultural backgrounds, abilities, religions, genders, sexual orientations, ages, and more. When we appreciate and celebrate these differences, we create an environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and understanding. Inclusion is the key to unlocking the true power of diversity. It is not enough to simply have a mix of individuals; we must actively create spaces where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued. It means providing equal opportunities, removing barriers, and ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table. https://www.diversecitymodels.com/ contact[at]diversecitymodels.com Next Previous

Read More Kitschy Couture Fashion Brand Read More SIA ARNIKA Fashion Brand Read More LUEDER Fashion Brand Read More SF1OG Fashion Brand Read More BALLETSHOFER Fashion Brand Read More Lou de Bètoly Fashion Brand Read More RICHERT BEIL Fashion Brand Read More NAMILIA Fashion Brand Featured: Mitglieder in FCG Initiativen 0049x 5th Avenue Princess 6ad Stitches AEMMI AKMG Agency ANDREJ GRONAU AVENIR Abury Acquattitude Aleksander Kudrischow Alexis Mersman Aline CELI Amazon Fashion Ana Alcazar by Tricia Jones Anita Tillmann Anja Gockel Ann Galé Anna Auras Anne Bernecker Antonia Zander Axl Jansen BALLETSHOFER Bigoudi Bikini Berlin Brookmedia Buki Akomolafe Burda Verlag CLO COLRS Carl Friedrik Carolin Dieler Chainbalance Charlotte Gindreau Chelsea Jean Lamm Christiane Arp Claire Common Clara Colette Miramon Claudia Hofmann Condé Nast Germany GmbH Cosnova DAGGER DAWN Denim Damir Doma Dawid Tomaszewski Der Berliner Salon Des FILLES désir Didamie Dirk Schönberger Diversecity Models Dr. Daniela Goeller EMEKA Effenberger Couture Esther Perbandt F65.0 FABRIC Future Fashion Lab Fair Model FakePR Fassbender Felicitas Seidler GLÜCK GOLDGARN Denim Gerrit Jacob Global Textile Scheme Goldmarlen - Marlen Albrecht HACOY HORROR VACUI HUMAN TOUCH Haderlump Atelier Berlin Haebmau Halo Labels Hartmann Consultants Haus von Eden Helene Galwas Hellmuth - Tanja Hellmuth Studios I'VR Isabel Vollrath IDEN IIANA BIASINI IMPARI INTERNATIONAL CITIZEN Inga Griese Inlé Studio Item m6 Ivo von Renner J.A.I.W JUN MAYERS Jan 'n June Josepha Rodriguez Julian Daynov Julian Zigerli Jutta Ohms KATHARINA DUBBICK KMB KOFI AVEGA KaDeWe GmbH Karen Heumann Karen Jessen Kasia Kucharska Kaska Hass Katrin Margret Schneider Kaviar Gauche Kiki Albrecht Kim Tiziana Rottmüller Kitschy Couture Kristian Schuller LCO Studios LD-13 LUCAS MEYER LECLERE LUCKYNELLY - BERLIN LUEDER Lau de Sousa Laura Gerte Lennart Bohle Les Papillons et Moi Liganord Lilian von Trapp Lior Gabriel Lotta Ludwigson Lou de Bètoly Luisa Cerano Lukso Blockchain GmbH Lutz Morris MAISON COMMON MARKE MARYLAND Studio MAÉST MCM MELINA BUCHER MENGERSHAUSEN MERIEM LEBDIRI MIKLAS MOOT MUNICH FABRIC START Maira Gath Maison Baum Maison Marron et amis Malaikaraiss Manakaa Project Mandie Bienek Maqu Marcus Kurz Marie-Louise Berg Mario Eimuth Marlon Ferry Melagence Melissa Drier Messe Frankfurt Michael Sontag Michaela Leitz Michelle Bohnes Milk of Lime Mirjam Smend NAMILIA NOLESS NOMAD X COLLECTIVE Nani Makani Nanyi Li Nari Haase Nat-2 Natalie Grassi Natascha Von Hirschhausen Niclas Hasemann Nina Ferrucci Ninyes Nowrubi Nynolia Obectra Odeeh Oftt Olaf Schmidt Olivia Ballard Otto PANOS GOTSIS PB 0110 PLAID-À-PORTER PLATTE e.V. POS Agenten Paula Dischinger Perlensau Petra Esparza McAlpine Agency Press Factory Quinto GmbH RICHERT BEIL ROUGH. Raer Scents Rayas Collective Reframd Rianna + Nina Rima Jewelry Ritual Unions Roel de Cooman Ronja Beckmann SBLMTN Studio SELVA HUYGENS SF1OG SHIPSHEIP HOLISTIC FASHION SHOWZ SIA ARNIKA SOCIÉTÉ ANGELIQUE SUITITION SVEASØN Scott Lipinski Sepideh Ahadi Silk Relations GmbH Simone Hartmann Simone Leonhardt Sofia Hermens Fernandez Studio MM04 Studio183 Berlin Style Definery Suits. TATi TEXTILEREI Talbot Runhof Taskin Goec Tata Christiane The Lissome Tom Àdam UNVAIN Ubooker UniFash VELOR VISIONARY SERVICES VLADIMIR KARALEEV VON SCHWANENFLÜGEL VORN – The Berlin Fashion Hub Vicki Malone WALA Heilmittel Waridi Schrobsdorff William Fan Working title YAHMO Yuna Miray ZATAP ZWINGENBERG Zalando faible and failure ito ito project hype rebirth studios recreategoods ÏMAIMA Filter A-Z A-Z Filtern nach Kategorie Accessoires Accessoires Agency Beauty Communication Creative Agency Creative Hub Creative Production Exhibition Eyewear Fashion & Jewelry Brand Fashion Brand Fashion Brand Fashion Expert Fashion Tech Footwear Headhunter Influencer Agency Jewellery Journalist Model Agency Online Retail Other Photographer Publishing House Retail Sales Agency Strategy Agency Stylist Stylist Agency Trade Fair FCG Mitglieder ALLE MITGLIEDER Neue Mitglieder Read More Michael Sontag Fashion Brand Read More AKMG Agency Creative Production Read More ZATAP Fashion Tech Read More Didamie Accessoires Read More Felicitas Seidler Jewellery Read More Natalie Grassi Jewellery Read More Rayas Collective Accessoires Read More JUN MAYERS Fashion Brand Read More Inlé Studio Fashion Brand Read More Maison Marron et amis Fashion Brand Read More Lennart Bohle Fashion Brand Read More Vicki Malone Fashion Brand Read More project hype Creative Agency Read More NOLESS Fashion Brand Read More Aleksander Kudrischow Fashion Brand All Members

6. Jan. 2026 “There is nothing wrong with loving fashion for its beauty,” says Jacqueline Farrell, Education Director at The King’s Foundation. In this interview, she explains why it is equally important to engage young people with the more serious dimensions of the industry — through initiatives such as the FASHION ZUKUNFT conference and the residency programmes GENERATION ZUKUNFT and FASHION X CRAFT, which Fashion Council Germany runs in partnership with The King’s Foundation in Scotland. Jacqueline Farrell, why is it important to introduce young people, students and pupils, to key fashion topics like sustainability, fair production, and craftsmanship at an early stage? We often only start discussing sustainability or environmental issues once we are already in professional life. Only then do we struggle with these problems and ask ourselves: How are we supposed to solve this now? But by that point, we are already in the middle of these challenges, and we should have the skills to deal with them. That’s why we place great emphasis on giving young people not just practical skills, but also awareness of the issues that we must address now and in the future, including with regard to our planet. How do you implement this at The King’s Foundation? It’s crucial to engage with young people in an adult manner on the issues affecting our industry. They respond incredibly well when you say: “Here’s the problem, here’s the challenge, how can we fix it?” We show them some of the solutions that are already in place and ask: “What can you do now? What do you want to do in the future?” And that doesn’t overwhelm them? Society often believes that young people are not ready to think about such issues or that they cannot grasp their depth. But in reality, teenagers begin thinking about their future and careers around the age of 13 or 14, and they enjoy being treated like adults. When we host our conferences with the Fashion Council Germany and have, for example, Christiane Arp speak to them from the front row, that’s something 14-year-olds don’t usually experience. The industry should not say: “You’re only worthy of my attention when you’re 22.” In partnership with The King’s Foundation, the Fashion Council Germany’s annual FASHION ZUKUNFT Conference at Dumfries House in Scotland also exposes young people to fashion as a career. I heard a student from Germany was so inspired by Christiane Arp that she decided to become a fashion designer. That shows that when you have inspiration, role models, and the opportunity to engage with these topics early on, you become an informed consumer, and possibly an informed professional. You enter the industry knowing what’s wrong. In my generation, no one really had any idea that something could be wrong within the fashion industry. Yet we helped build the fast fashion movement that exploits people. At the time, no one really talked about these problems in the industry — and as long as you don’t address global issues collectively, you cannot solve them. How does the collaboration between the Fashion Council and The King’s Foundation work? The joint projects include the FASHION ZUKUNFT conference, the GENERATION ZUKUNFT residency program, and FASHION X CRAFT. Can you explain the method and why it reaches and inspires young people? When Scott Lipinski first contacted us, he was curious about our work on craftsmanship and fashion at Dumfries House. The King’s Foundation strives to ensure that our work is not limited to our Scottish headquarters or the UK; international exchange, especially within Europe, is very important to us. So we decided to organise a conference to bring professionals from both countries together and ask: Where are the shared challenges? The 2019 conference marked our first exchange. I suggested that, in addition to an industry conference, we should also organise one for 12- to 18-year-olds. I was tired of attending the same conferences with the same people, where nothing ever changed. I said: “We have to tell the young people, those who will follow in our footsteps, about these things.” So Scott and I simply tried it. We were surprised that many guest speakers were nervous, asking: “How do I talk to a 14-year-old about these issues?” And I replied: “How do you talk to a 21-year-old or a 65-year-old? Just normally, like a conversation.“ And how did it go? At the first conference, we asked students to share what they wanted to change after that day. We created tailor’s mannequins with paper tags where they wrote their resolutions: “Consume less,” “Hold companies more accountable,” “Keep my clothes longer.” It was the first time the Fashion Council Germany saw how quickly mindsets could change and responsibility could be entrusted to young people — responsibility they normally wouldn’t have been given. That motivated us to continue the conferences. Out of this collaboration, FASHION ZUKUNFT was born, which we financially support. How does FASHION ZUKUNFT work? Our German partners developed online courses that were introduced in schools and selected the most talented students to come to Scotland for an intensive learning week. The conference is the highlight, where German and Scottish students meet. I noticed that the questions from the German students went much deeper — they were the ones who had already completed the courses. The programme at Dumfries House fostered a questioning, investigative mindset and imparted more profound knowledge. They no longer accept answers at face value without critical reflection, for example, if someone says fabrics can be dyed using algae, they respond: “But doesn’t that harm the seabed?” Can you tell us about the FASHION X CRAFT project? The project was Scott’s idea, bringing German fashion students to Scotland for three weeks to learn craft skills, even with materials not directly related to fashion, such as stone, wood, metal, and plaster. We demonstrate that these materials can open up entirely new avenues for the market, for silhouettes, for proportions, and for working with materiality. Participants also value the opportunity to slow down, observe nature, and work with natural materials. Craftsmanship plays a central role in your work. Do you believe the value of well-made, durable clothing can be made more visible again? We try to raise awareness of craft skills, the time, care, and value involved. For example, we also have projects with Chanel in embroidery and haute couture. When you know how long something takes and how beautiful it is, you don’t throw it away. This mindset has been lost. Clothes used to be passed down, repaired, altered, and kept until they were fashionable again. Today, people think they can just discard garments because they have so many. What is the solution? We aim to improve the message: The more that is produced, the more harm is done to the environment. Production will always exist, but let it be ethical. Let’s celebrate craftsmen and pay fair wages. Sustainability means considering both ecological and economic factors. Many recycling solutions still legitimise cheap mass production. Young people realise they have been misled, that’s part of my mission: to make it clear to them without shaming them. Do you try to preserve traditional craft techniques? Once knowledge is lost, it is lost forever. We cannot save all techniques, there aren’t enough people willing to learn them for years. But we try to preserve what we can and highlight its importance. We collaborate with the Heritage Crafts Association in the UK, which publishes an annual list of endangered crafts, similar to the Red List for animals. When a craft is listed, we increase our efforts there. Can you give an example? Currently, the hand-sewn Scottish kilt is regarded as endangered because machine-made ones are more affordable. A genuine kilt is entirely handmade and demands significant skill. Efforts are ongoing to grant it protected status, similar to traditional techniques in Japan, where people are willing to pay more for it. We aim to make traditional craft forms modern. Nobody will wear wooden shoes again, but some dances in the UK still require them. Or we take old techniques like fine embroidery and apply them to modern designs, so they stay desirable. Instead of copying medieval patterns, we adapt the technique into contemporary design. Could it be the role of universities to teach traditional techniques in new ways? If you study fashion, you should understand how things are made in order to design them better. For a long time, there was a separation: you could create collections digitally without knowing how they are produced. But if you’ve never sewn something by hand, you cannot design effectively, resourcefully, or realistically. Fashion is also a form of engineering — and increasingly a science. And finally: there is nothing wrong with loving fashion for its beauty. Clothes help us enter spaces confidently. Are there exciting new projects coming up? We are currently working on a project with Amazon MGM in costume craftsmanship. We are exploring how film, TV, and theatre productions can better incorporate craft skills. A particular concern of mine is forging a stronger link between agriculture and fashion. Without healthy soil, there are no fibres, no natural dyes, no leather. We want students to visit farms, meet sheep, compare wool fibres, and understand why wool is water-repellent, fire-resistant, warm, and breathable. Every fashion student should have visited a farm at least once. This conversation is an excerpt from our 10-year Fashion Council Germany booklet, in which we reflect on a decade of shaping and advancing German fashion. Discover the full booklet and explore all the stories and highlights HERE . AUTOR:IN Fashion Council Germany ANSPRECHPARTNER:IN Manuel Almeida Vergara INFOS ANFRAGEN press@fashion-council-germany.org WEBSITE/S https://www.fashion-council-germany.org/ https://www.fashion-council-germany.org/initiativen/fashion-x-craft https://kings-foundation.org/ MITGLIEDER Previous Next 10 YEARS FCG "Every fashion student should have visited a farm at least once", says Jacqueline Farrell, Education Director at The King's Foundation