The Berlin Fashion Week continues to deliver powerful stories, bold concepts, and fresh perspectives. From Milk of Lime’s poetic “Ashes” collection and Barragán’s thought-provoking debut to Dennis Chuene’s collaborative Studio2Retail project, plus new work from Kasia Kucharska, Richert Beil, rebekka ruétz, and netzwerk—these are the collections and projects you shouldn’t miss.
MILK OF LIME
The German-Belgian duo behind Milk of Lime are back at Berlin Fashion Week this season, showcasing their fourth collection entitled “Ashes”. For this collection, the label deliberately played on the contradictory associations of the term. Destruction and the end meet hope. The idea of the phoenix rising from the ashes is also explored.
True to the label’s DNA, this collection once again blends romantic and sombre elements, almost compelling the viewer to look more closely and discover its complexity. Draped menswear stood out prominently. Reimagined knitwear made from torn silk, crinkled textures, and graphic prints added unique elements. These features were seen on cotton tops, coats, woollen trousers, and sheer silk fabrics. Read more…
DENNIS CHUENE
In Hagelberger Straße in Kreuzberg, designer Dennis Chuene transformed a roughly 350-metre stretch into a shared cultural and retail space as part of Studio2Retail. Under the title “Nothing Great Is Built Alone,” eight neighbouring businesses and creative players joined forces. They participated in a series of unexpected collaborations. Each collaboration reflected the craft, perspective, and story of the participating neighbours. At the heart of the project was the idea of seeing neighbouring businesses not as competitors, but as co-creators. Read more…
Credit: Dennis Chuene, Ben Mönks
BARRAGÁN
The Mexican label Barragán hosted its BFW debut at the Mexican Embassy. While the title “SS30” alludes to the time after US President Donald Trump, the collection primarily negotiates themes such as migration and identity. The models walked at a quick pace and, through visible scars, low-slung trousers, bound hands, and dirt on skin and clothing, appeared like people on the run.
Striking prints on T-shirts, hoodies, and dresses reinforced the critique of how migrants are treated (“Welcome to America. Now speak English! Or get the f*ck out”) while simultaneously deconstructing common stereotypes. In doing so, designer Victor Barragán shows that Mexican identity is not homogeneous but diverse, and that it is by no means defined by attributions from outside. Read more…
KASIA KUCHARSKA
After expanding her repertoire in recent seasons with elaborately ruched cotton pieces, Kasia Kucharska returned for her ninth collection to working exclusively with her signature technique, latex casting. Still, there was plenty to discover. The designer reinvented classics such as denim pieces. She also revamped trench coats and knitwear by recreating them in cast latex.
Another highlight were earrings crafted from synthetic hair. An immersive installation, developed in collaboration with AAS:set:project, provided the perfect setting for this new chapter in her brand’s history. Read more…
Credit: Kasia Kucharska, James Cochrane
RICHERT BEIL
In Muskauer Straße in Kreuzberg, Berlin-based label Richert Beil opened its new store as part of the Berlin Fashion Week format Studio2Retail. To mark the opening, designer duo Jale Richert and Michele Beil invited guests to a bidding round for handmade fashion: ten one-of-a-kind pieces crafted in the label’s Berlin atelier were offered up for open bidding, allowing interested guests to place their own bid on their favourite piece. Read more…
Credit: Richert Beil, Ben Mönks
REBBEKA RUÉTZ
The new Spring/Summer 2027 collection by rebekka ruétz is titled Petrichor, taking as its starting point one of those rare moments that feel familiar to almost everyone, yet retain something mysterious: rain on dry earth. It all begins with the tension before the storm.
Heat lingers on the skin, the air grows dense, the light shifts, as if the world were holding its breath for a moment. Dark clouds gather, a crackle signals the coming change, and then the pent-up energy releases in lightning, thunder, and rain. Read more…
NETZWERK
One year after its first show, the label netzwerk presented its second collection on Friday evening at the same time and place, at San Gimignano Lichtenberg, Am Wasserwerk 22F. The presentation followed a contemporary runway format, accompanied by a live string quartet performing a composition by VMS. The show transitioned directly into an open-air aftershow party.
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