In addition to an exciting fashion show program of renowned labels and strong newcomers, the topics of inclusion, talent promotion and sustainability will come even more into focus.
The Responsible Movement of Freedom, Inclusion and Creativity
For the first time, a brand from Africa was awarded, the FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund celebrates its first German sponsorship award winner with Kasia Kucharska, and with the pilot phase of the Sustainability Requirements, pioneering sustainability standards will be introduced.
“Berlin Fashion Week offers our guests a unique opportunity to experience the creative energy of Berlin in all its diversity.
This year, we are focusing even more on sustainability through the introduction of the Sustainability Requirements we promote, which for the first time impose binding requirements on the participating brands in terms of transparency, traceability, and sustainable development. They are evaluated by an independent agency.
In addition, I am particularly pleased that this season will be even more international: A Ukrainian and a Ghanaian label convinced the expert jury in our concept competition “Berlin Contemporary” and the first winner of the FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund will show her collection in Berlin.”
Michael Biel, Senate for Economic Affairs, Energy, and Public Enterprises
Well-known brands and new talents: Berlin Contemporary 2025
For the fifth consecutive time, the Senate for Economic Affairs, Energy, and Public Enterprises and the Fashion Council Germany have honoured outstanding show and presentation concepts as part of ‘Berlin Contemporary’. This season, for the first time, fashion labels based in an African country were invited to apply.
From 91 entries, the jury selected 19 labels – including one Ukrainian and one Ghanaian – each of which was awarded prize money of €25,000. The shows of the award-winning labels form the heart of the Berlin Fashion Week schedule. Some of the winners organise their presentations independently, while others utilise the NEWEST or INTERVENTION formats to showcase their collections at unique locations in Berlin.
This year’s line-up:
- Andrej Gronau
- AVENIR
- Clara Colette Miramon
- COLRS
- GmbH
- Haderlump
- HORROR VACUI
- Laura Gerte
- Lou de Bètoly
- LUEDER
- ODEEH
- PALMWINE IceCREAM (Ghana)
- PLNGNS (Ukraine)
- Richert Beil
- SF1OG
- Sia Arnika
- SVEASØN
- William Fan
Other confirmed shows in the Berlin Fashion Week schedule are: Marc Cain, Rebekka Ruetz as well as Kilian Kerner, Marcel Ostertag and Danny Reinke.
FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund celebrates winner Kasia Kucharska
The winner of the first German edition of the internationally renowned sponsorship award initiated by Vogue Germany and the Fashion Council Germany is Kasia Kucharska. The prize, worth a total of €100,000, includes prize money of €25,000, a mentoring programme that connects them with leading industry experts, and the production of a fashion show. During Berlin Fashion Week, Kasia Kucharska will present her “Future Craft” collection.
Creative concepts throughout the city: Studio2Retail
The Studio2Retail programme offers smaller and larger labels, showrooms, and stores the opportunity to present their collection concepts to a broad audience in Berlin.
“The continuous and consistent development of our BERLIN CONTEMPORARY and STUDIO2RETAIL programs is helping to further increase the relevance of Berlin Fashion Week.
This growth strengthens both the creative diversity and the quality of the programme, but also creates new perspectives for greater national and international visibility, among other things. The fact that our funding program also provides for the support of international brands pays off for the creative scene in and from Berlin.”
Christiane Arp, Fashion Council Germany
The format is supported by the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises with five grants of prize money of 5,000 euros each. The sixth prize is donated by the Berliner Sparkasse. The award-winning brands are:
- Balletshofer
- Buki Akomolafe & EMEKA Suits
- H6
- Kitschy Couture
Ottolinger
MAHORDE
INTERVENTION
LUEDER and Vogue Fashion Fund winner Kasia Kucharska, as well as two other brands, will be part of the progressive catwalk format INTERVENTION, established in February 2024 and curated by Reference Studios. Further details on the location and concept will follow.
10 years of ‘Der Berliner Salon’
The anniversary edition of the format Der Berliner Salon will take place on Monday, February 3, once again in a museum setting. With an expanded selection of outstanding up-and-coming talents, curators Christiane Arp and Marcus Kurz (Nowadays) present a subtle selection of German design highlights, celebrating a decade of inspiring fashion moments.
METAMORPHOSIS Talks
After the successful debut of the METAMORPHOSIS Talks – dialogues about change, initiated by the Fashion Council Germany and powered by eBay, the format will be expanded to four days for the upcoming Berlin Fashion Week. In the mornings (Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon), guests can expect a diverse programme of panels and keynotes.
SEEK RECEPTION: New location, new concept, new timescale.
SEEK puts its 15 years of experience in use and presents a completely new, independent, innovative, agile, solution-focused, and adaptable month-long concept (January to mid-February 2025) in a new five-store location in Oranienstraße, right next to the Voo Store. Conceptually, SEEK responds to the needs of the market and the exhibitors: concentrated and coherent brand scenarios, individually bookable time periods and customised conditions for various needs and objectives.
Closing Party by FCG: Powered by Berliner Sparkasse
Berlin Fashion Week will be celebrated with a closing party on Monday, February 3, 2025, in cooperation with Berliner Sparkasse.
Sustainability Requirements: Start of the pilot phase
In June 2024, Berlin Fashion Week and Copenhagen Fashion Week announced their partnership to implement the Sustainability Requirements. This cooperation, initiated by the Fashion Council Germany and supported by the Berlin Senate for Economic Affairs, Energy, and Public Enterprises, promotes sustainability in the fashion industry. Participating brands must complete a questionnaire of approximately 100 questions on sustainability standards, which will be reviewed by the Studio MM04 agency.
Based on the results, brands are assigned a sustainability score. The requirements include guidelines on transparency, traceability, and sustainable development, supplemented by specific requirements for the German Supply Chain Act. In addition, Berlin Fashion Week is introducing a Code of Conduct that emphasizes Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) in the fashion industry.
“With the introduction of the Sustainability Requirements, Berlin is sending a strong and important signal for a sustainable fashion industry. The protagonists of Berlin Fashion Week are taking on a pioneering role and demonstrating how transparency and responsibility can become a new standard in the fashion world.”
Scott Lipinski, Fashion Council Germany
Registration & Accreditation
The Accreditation for Berlin Fashion Week starts on December 9, 2024. The preliminary schedule will also be published on the same day. Accreditations are intended exclusively for trade visitors in a professional context.
Header Image: GmbH during BFW AW/24, © Caroline Kynast
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