We asked ten industry experts to share their favourite brands from our community — highlighting the voices, visions and values shaping contemporary fashion today.

BIANCA LANG
-BOGNÁR

Editor-in-Chief – S-Magazin/Der Spiegel

Managing Director – brookmedia

“ANNE BERNECKER turned upcycled fashion into couture for me — elegant and stylish. Vintage men’s shirts have never looked sexier than hers. You can see that she learned her craft at Central St. Martins in every single one of her designs.“

“Johann and Julius of HADERLUMP ATELIER BERLIN have a gift for the grand entranc — and yet they remain understated. Their fashion is sophisticated and still Berlin-rough and certainly Berlin-made, of course. Their designs are like them: cool, passionate, and confident.“

“Antonia and Björn of WORKING TITLE have perfected the concept of the timeless wardrobe. I’ve owned several of their pieces for many years, and every time I wear them, I get compliments — because they fi t fantastically and stand out in their simplicity. They always have that certain something and showcase truly exceptional craftsmanship.”

HANAN BESOVIC

Fashion Commentator – @ideservecouture

“NAMILIA is a brand that doesn‘t shout but it screams. It is loud and in your face and that‘s what is always so appealing about their shows. It’s unapologetic and it speaks to a community that backs it up.“

“MARKE in my opinion has a lot of potential. There is always a good story with great references that is delivered and tailored into these pieces. It always plays with innocence and historical inspiration while it translates the pieces into todays world. I’ve seen the brand grow for a few years now and it hasn‘t lost its touch.“

“ODEEH is an example of what a great brand can be. I always like to refer to the brand as German Prada because the aesthetic reminds me of it. It does not follow trends, it delivers collections that make you realize the beauty of fashion. Their mind and vision is always something I look forward seeing.”

KOZUE AKIMOTO

Model

“HADERLUMP ATELIER BERLIN I am personally a fan of. I love how they blend darkness,

streetwear, elegance, and sustainability into one expression. I’m excited to see how brands like this continue to explore sustainable fashion without compromising their identity. Overall, I can really feel each brand’s unique presence at Fashion Week, and I fi nd myself drawn to those that carry a certain darkness that feels very Berlin. And I also always look forward to seeing what the show guests are wearing — their real, personal fashion is truly inspiring.“

KERSTIN WENG

Head of Editorial Content – VOGUE Germany

“KASIA KUCHARSKA found early on what many creatives search for over years: a truly distinctive style. What impresses me most about her is that, despite the success of her 3D-printed latex pieces, which have become her signature look, Kasia has managed to evolve her design language in a coherent and thoughtful way. By incorporating tailoring elements that perfectly complement the latex pieces, her aesthetic remains feminine but has gained a more mature dimension, appealing to a broader audience. The way she continues to run her label while being the mother of a young daughter is deeply inspiring and highlights how much more visibility mothers in fashion deserve.”

“SIA ARNIKA’S vision of womanhood is exactly what we need today: she designs for a bold woman who is self-aware and combines fearless sensuality with a touch of roughness. The fact that global stars like Charli xcx identify with this attitude and wear her pieces proves that Sia Arnika’s aesthetic has worldwide relevance — it simply needs the chance to be seen. I’m truly proud that a designer like Sia Arnika presents her fashion in Berlin, because what she stands for embodies exactly what makes the city such an exciting fashion capital.”

“Estelle Adeline Trasoglu of PLAID
À
PORTER has to offer what can only be described as an unfailing sense of style. Even before she began designing, she had an eye for what makes an outfit special and how to make looks more intriguing. Her personal style has always been defined by a confident femininity. As a designer, she has found her niche through the upcycling of unique fabrics, allowing her distinctive sense of style to become accessible to others. With her approach of transforming blankets or curtains into pieces like corsets or hot pants, she proves that upcycling can be not only meaningful, but also visually sexy.”

JUN YABUNO

Foreign Correspondent – WWD Japan

“SF1OG is undeniably one of the most exciting rising stars in both Berlin and German fashion today: Weaving relatable nostalgia into its design language, they transform repurposed materials into contemporary clothing that feels cool and culturally connected. Their runway shows are always charged with youthful energy, refl ecting a strong community growing around the brand.”

"ESTHER PERBANDT’S universe of black, articulated not only through fashion but also through art and performance, brings new depth and richness to what the world imagines as Berlin style. While staying true to her own aesthetic, she continually embraces new challenges to broaden her brand’s reach to global audiences. That commitment is genuinely inspiring.”

“ODEEH’S eclectic mix of colors, prints, and textures sparks pure joy for fashion, turning everyday life into a playful canvas. Their craftsmanship and sophistication shape a style that is unmistakably their own. With an already established international footprint, they remain one of the most compelling voices within German fashion.”

EDWARD BUCHANAN

Design Consultant and Fashion Director Milan – Perfect Magazine

“WILLIAM FAN is a wonderful human being and a skilled designer. What has impressed me most about his work is the consistency and confidence. The first time I met William was a few years ago at one of his shows — it was jaw dropping to see such independence and perspective.”

“RICHERT BEIL I also adore – and I adore even more their Berlinness! They have a very singular voice and are really invested creatives. Our conversations are often about honesty and how in this climate they can grow the business in a way which is correct for them. I love that they have carved out new incredibly cool headquarters for themselves in Kreuzberg. Truly inspiring!“

“LOU DE BÈTOLY, LUEDER, and KASIA KUCHARSKA also come to mind, not only because I want to also add a really compelling observation that the quantity of female led independent design houses showing in Berlin are really superior to surrounding fashion spaces. I always believe in the empowerment of any disadvantaged community and love to see female designers like the ones mentioned thrive! Kudos also to new mom Kasia for knowing her limits and the importance in knowing how to step away and come back when the time is right.“

FRANZISKA FROSCH

Editor-in-Chief – ELLE & ELLE Decoration

“At LUTZ MORRIS, a clear concept meets total consistency, yet there’s still room for playful touches. Tina Lutz Morris combines craftsmanship with sustainability and a very personal signature. Bags and accessories by Lutz Morris are statement pieces for extroverted minimalists.”

“ODEEH make even strict minimalists fall in love with their patterns. That’s thanks to the finesse with which the duo Jörg Ehrlich and Otto Drögsler compose their designs. In every piece, you can feel their attention to detail and passion for artisanal perfection.

Plus: there’s always a little twist that turns even a blouse into a personality.”

DRIES VRIESACKER

Founder and Editor-in-Chief – ENFNTS TERRIBLES Magazine

“The pride I feel for MILK OF LIME as a Belgian (they studied in Antwerp) is hard to describe. When they staged their fi rst show in a planetarium during Berlin Fashion Week a few years ago, it was immediately clear to me that they were reaching for the stars.

With every collection they make, it becomes cleare that their eye for detail and fabrics is something truly rare — and it’s something we should cherish and support as an industry.”

“NAMILIA might just be the most fun and uplifting show at Berlin Fashion Week. They’re one of the few brands that truly put their community above everything else. Their clothes are made for their people — and, refreshingly, their people can actually afford them.”

“MARKE stands out through pure quality and razor-sharp tailoring. Mario Keine is one of my Berlin favorites because I’ve seen the brand grow season after season, and it feels like he’s now at a point of real confidence — ready to take things to the next level. Watching Marke evolve has been a joy.”

ALBERT AYAL

Founder & Creative Director – UpNextDesigner

“I’ve been following GERRIT JACOB since day one. I love how he uses such bold colors, you can always tell when something’s his. His work has such a strong identity, and I think that’s what makes it so exciting to see how far he’s come.”

“SF1OG is one of those brands I discovered early on through Instagram, and I’ve been supporting them from the start. What I love is how every collection tells a completely different story, one might be inspired by school uniforms, another by workwear. It always feels fresh but still completely true to who they are.”

“SIA ARNIKA is another designer I found on Instagram a while back, and it’s been so cool to watch her journey. Now she’s collaborating with Kylie Jenner and showing at Berlin Fashion Week, it’s amazing to see how far she’s come. I love how her pieces often have these fun, bold messages on them, they make women feel powerful, confident, and totally unapologetic.”

HERBERT HOFMANN

Vice President Creative – Highsnobiety

“DAGGER is a queer skate brand with depth. I’m so inspired by the stories Luke tells through his brand and designs. DAGGER and its world are melancholic, yet they look to the future with positivity. ‘ALL THE BEST’ is their slogan, and I wholeheartedly wish that for the brand as well.”

“LUEDER popped up at a moment when I thought I had seen it all, and Marie mixed styles, worlds, and inspirations I would never have connected. The designs manage to be very distinctive, yet timeless at the same time. Individuality wins — and that fits Berlin so perfectly.”

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.