Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin is in full swing this week, which means dozens of runway shows are held throughout the city – models walking the newest creations of German designers is mostly a mere 15mins enjoyment for the audience, but, however, a week-long, if not months-long pursuit for the designers presenting. It’s not only about creating an original yet consistent collection that will appeal to journalists looking for the newest trends and buyers looking for pieces that are actually wearable, but finding an interesting venue, casting the best models, styling convincing looks, designing an attractive setting, playing the most fitting music and having the best light etc. Most of the times, the looks are only finally defined minutes before the show starts. I joined the very promising young duo of Oliver Lührs and Thomas Bentz and their label Achtland for a short while during the preparations for their runway show presenting the new winter collection for 2014/15:
During Fashion Week, there’s only so much I can do myself – too many shows in too little time, and every season there’s the unpleasant double-date, the two shows I really want to see but sadly are happening at the same time. This time it was Julian Zigerli’s presentation that I missed because I attended Achtland’s (fabulous) runway show. Luckily, Joseph Wolfgang Ohlert, a young photography student at Ostkreuzschule, with high ambitions and even higher talent, visited Zigerli backstage and sent me his analogue snaps, that I am very happy to present here:
Taking pictures of Michael Sontag’s runway presentations is always a pleasure. His dramatic one-spot light hitting the softly flowing silk drapery makes it easy to snap some beautiful shots.
He created a strong look for the coming summer – his silk shirts and dresses are layered over luxurious t-shirts, a style still revoking memories of the 90s, but done in a quasi high-fashion version embellished with crystals. His bold colors of choice were a rich turquoise as well as a very sunny yellow, layered with a modest beige fabric, grey jersey and deep black. See some of my highlights here:
Back in Berlin after one season in Paris, the Berlin based label Kaviar Gauche decided to present their new collection in the fascinating space of St. Agnes, a former church built in the 60s as an icon of German brutalism architecture, in Kreuzberg. The church has recently been acquired to be remodeled as a gallery by Johan König and is now also used as an event space.
The giant main hall of the church was dramatically lit when a selection of pret-a-porter and Kaviar Gauche’s signature bridal wear was presented to the audience. Hence it was no problem, to take some pretty pictures:
Vladimir Karaleev’s presentation during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin is always highly anticipated by many. This time he showed a smaller pre-collection of his upcoming summer 2014 show, that will be fully shown at Paris Fashion Week this October. Nevertheless, beautiful colors and fabrics in his signature styles convinced the audience (and myself, naturally).
