It is hard to find a cooler city than Berlin. So luckily, we don’t have to! The 15th – 21st of January 2023 we embrace all things which make the city of Berlin electric. Berlin Fashion Week (BFW) returns to showcase the best the country has to offer in fashion design and here at Voir, we can’t wait to see the creativity that is waiting patiently for us.
It is no secret that Berlin is a modern fashion capital and if you have seen previous BFWs or experienced the city in all its creative glory, it is easy to understand why they have been granted this title. Walking down a street in the city you soon realise the pavements are full of fashion lovers, early adopters and main characters. And Voir is going to be all over it as we fly out to the German capital to give you all the coverage you need. Literally, we will be covering EVERYTHING! We thought we couldn’t leave you that long without some more enticing information about the week, so, let’s find out what is going to be going on before we take flight.
We are so excited to view some amazing collections next month and soak up the atmosphere of the shows. Let’s start by getting familiar with some amazing designers that will be showing and their previous work.
Namilia
Top of our list is brand Namilia. Describing themselves as ‘destroyers of false perception’ we love how they use their designs to capture their vision, dreams, and beliefs. A brand that lives and breathes Berlin and will be catching eyes and headlines with their new AW 23 collection. To name a few as the list is so long, we would be here listing until the show starts, celebs such as Cardi B, Tayce and SZA are all fans of the Berlin based brand. Having BDSM inspired fits, motorcycle influenced leather pieces, techno fits and Y2K styles, they produce the best outfits for Berlin street fashion. We are super excited for them to showcase their new designs on Wednesday the 18th.
Dennis Chuene
More excitement comes as Dennis Chuene’s collection showcases on Tuesday the 17th of January. His influence and use of nostalgia creates contemporary designs which are finely crafted with recycled materials. A lot of his work which focuses on the use of string craftmanship gives us unique pieces which are thought provoking. Chuen places emphasis on story telling behind his designs which take influence from current affairs and everyday struggles.
Iden Studios
Only founded last year this brand is striving in the fashion scene. Modern and cool designs from this Berlin based brand is the expectation which they keep meeting. We believe their show will be no different and have us talking about them for weeks. Intangible meets tangible as their main source of inspiration stems from spirituality, emotions and the digital world. They are futuristic and they are fantastic. We can’t wait to see what they pull out the bag for their newest collection.
Damur
One of the winners of BFW’s contemporary category is high-end streetwear Berlin brand, Damur. They are a brand to watch as designer, Huang Damur, pushes the boundaries and limitations of fashion and societal norms. The ‘Reviver’ collection for AW 23 has been fully upcycled from his previous collections, putting pressure and light on second-life clothing. This will be a show you don’t want to miss.
Olivia Ballard
Established in 2020, German based designer brand, Olivia Ballard, is a new and forward-thinking brand. Creating genderless clothing which specialises in fabric manipulation to harmonise effortlessly with the body, they are one to watch. Inclusivity and diversity are at the heart of this fashion forward brand and we can’t wait to see how they develop their ideas in the coming years. Sheer has been a huge success with Olivia Ballard and has promoted body diversity and confidence while being super on trend.
Lou De Bètoly
French designer based in Berlin, Loe de Bètoly, will also be showcasing her latest collection at BFW. It is not surprising that her designs follow punk inspiration as her use of ripped and deconstructed clothing is very evident. Influence is also taken from surrealism and oneirism which gives her collections a dreamlike disturbance. The ominous aesthetic of her designs make them so memorable and enticing.
Sia Arnika
Danish label trying to redesign the fashion industry with slow and sustainable fashion design, Sia Arnika, is on our radar. Moving away from typical Berlin rave attire, she ties maximalism detail with minimalism design. She has a special talent of creating timeless styles which are extremely fitting for the moment and climate. BFW welcomes her with open arms and we are looking forward to what she will show during her runway.
Of course, what is a fashion week, without our favourite style icons in attendance. Usually lining the front seats in anticipation for the unexpected, influencers and celebrities are just as invested in the upcoming trends as industry professionals. Berlin has seen the likes of Winnie Harlow and Tyra Banks at their fashion week and next year we can only assume front rows will be star studded. But, don’t worry you can rely on us to report back with who we see in attendance and of course, what they will be wearing.
Berlin, here we come!
Words by Erin Wilson
Header Image: @berlinefashionwe
