BFW | Berlin Fashion Week SS25: HIGHLIGHTS 3 / 7

Der Berliner Salon

While DER BERLINER SALON has been held at the Kronprinzenpalais in recent seasons, this year marks a location premiere: for the first time, the group exhibition is hosted in the impressive halls of the historic Bode-Museum. Here, visitors can discover contemporary creations in the fields of fashion, interior design, and beauty by 44 designers amidst art history and marble statues as part of Berlin Fashion Week.

This summer, the looks of the finalists of the FCG/VOGUE Fashion Fund will also be part of the group exhibition. The global initiative, announced during the last BFW in February and taking place in Germany for the first time, also aims to support young emerging talents and give them more visibility.

After nearly ten years, DER BERLINER SALON has become an absolute fixture during Berlin Fashion Week. The group exhibition not only provides a stage for emerging talents but also fosters interdisciplinary exchange between different areas of the creative industries. DER BERLINER SALON continues to be supported by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy, and Public Enterprises.

RIANNA + NINA

Known for their rather unconventional runway shows, the defile by RIANNA + NINA resembled more of a performance, with dancers flown in from Athens showcasing the couture-esque, handcrafted unique pieces of the Berlin Contemporary winners.

This season, Rianna Kounou and Nina Knaudt presented their one-of-a-kind looks at the Greek Embassy—a perfectly fitting location, as the collection is once again closely connected to Kounou’s homeland, its culture, and the traditions of Greece.

“Folklore“

This season ballet dancers from Athens wore your looks. Why?

We wanted to demonstrate the versatility of the clothes, therefore Athenian ballet dancers, were part of the presentation and brought century-old dances, such as Balos, Zonaradikos, and Roditikos to life. 

The collection is called “Folklore” and is a celebration of traditions. What is the inspiration behind it?

It comes from Rianna’s rich Greek heritage, which has had a big impact on her creative direction. The theme Folklore delves into mythology and nature as it imprints itself into daily life through classic objects such as tablecloths, vases, plates, and many more. The performance concept will reflect its meaning, highlighting traditional Greek garments, inspired by Greek folk wear.

classic and timeless

Carefully sourced materials are at the heart of every look you´re creating…

Each look is again crafted from vintage fabrics which we found on our global treasure hunts. We take great care in handcrafting these pieces in our atelier, minimizing waste wherever possible. This collection features a vast array of materials, with an underlying theme of various vintage tablecloths. Although the silhouettes are classic and timeless, the details shine through, whether it is a vintage Kendima, crochet from Greece, or a special embroidery from Bulgaria adding a modern twist to the theme of Folklore. 

The collection consists of 20 unique looks. Which are your personal favorites? 

We believe all of our pieces will highlight the show! But if we have to name a few: There is a dress composed of Greek tablecloths combined with a traditional embroidery piece from the Balkan region. Another highlight is a traditional Greek Manteau made of different kitchen towels sewn together. Lastly, we have a skirt and blouse outfit that exudes Greek tradition. The blouse is made of five different dyed tablecloths, creating an airy, colorful finish. The skirt is composed of two panels: the back panel is a piece of a printed Greek tablecloth with little flowers printed on it, and the front consists of a panel embroidered with straw, continuing the theme of flowers throughout the outfit.

Love Vintage, Love Color, Love RIANNA + NINA.

RIANNA + NINA is a colorful universe, created by two women with a shared love for vintage textiles treasure-hunted around the globe, a passion for craftsmanship, a deep belief in bringing true sustainable luxury to an extravagant clientele, and a desire to excite people with the extraordinary.

“Berlin Fashion Week has played a significant role in our journey, providing the perfect platform to showcase the newest RIANNA + NINA collection.”         

Rianna Kounou and Nina Knaudt, RIANNA + NINA

Starting as a small boutique in Berlin in 2014, RIANNA + NINA has grown rapidly, attracting international attention and acclaim for their never-before-seen, vibrant styles. Today, RIANNA + NINA is stocked by over 30 A-list boutiques and leading hotels, and attracts clients from all over the globe with their new definition of luxury.

Avenir

With her label AVENIR, Sophie Claussen continuously sets new impulses for a responsible and sustainable fashion future. The Berlin Contemporary winner once again used only upcycled and recycled materials for her looks, which are capturing the zeitgeist.

“COMMUTE”

In line with the collection titled COMMUTE, the AVENIR runway show took place against the dynamic backdrop of Potsdamer Platz. Amid towering concrete buildings, historical moments, and tree-lined streets, a sense of calm emerged – even though the spectators were in the midst of a bustling metropolis.

‘Commute’ is aimed at the city’s commuters: each individual is unique, unfamiliar to one another, yet connected through a shared daily ritual. Whether in Berlin, London, Tokyo, or New York – they all share the experience of commuting. With our collection, we unite the anonymous faces in the crowd, the different personalities, styles, and routines that all contribute to commuter culture. We are fascinated by the daily journey we undertake together with strangers, sharing the smallest of spaces and pursuing the same goal, which is to reach our own.

reminiscent of tiles and seat covers

All looks are designed to meet the practical and aesthetic needs of those who move through the city daily. Geometric patterns and patchworks are reminiscent of tiles and seat covers in subway stations or the horizontal stripes of business shirts, which we have reinterpreted.

All pieces are created according to the slow fashion principle: from cotton, linen, and lambswool to poly chiffon blends and denim, all materials are either sourced from remnants or have been upcycled.

One of my favorite pieces is the ‘Knit Sailor’s Jumper’ made from upcycled denim. It contains 80 hours of handwork and was crafted from seven pairs of jeans. Each pair was cut into strips and connected into a continuous denim yarn, which was then knitted into five pieces. We are very pleased to once again collaborate with Ena Jewellery this season, for the fourth time. By the way, all the jewelry pieces are inspired by train tickets, cycling apparel, and commuter accessories.

defining: future.

The work which we do today, takes from yesterday to ensure tomorrow. Avenir is a circular, purpose driven fashion brand based in Berlin. Founded by Sophie Claussen in 2020 upon the value of uncompromising commitment to conscious design and production. With ecological and social consequences at the core of our work, Avenir is dedicated to constructing from pre-existing materials within honest working conditions. Our core strength lies in circular production, emphasizing upcycling and waste reduction in our designs.

“All my pieces are created according to the slow fashion principle: From cotton, linen, and lambswool to poly chiffon blends and denim, all materials are either sourced from remnants or have been upcycled.”

Sophie Claussen, AVENIR

Avenir embraces a Circular Business Model, prioritizing environmental restoration and social responsibility through circular supply chains, resource reduction, and innovation. Infusing pre-owned materials with new life through minimalistic, elegant designs and sharp, clean lines; Avenir produces luxury fashion out of pre-loved textiles.

The Brand believes: In an inclusive society, between all beings as well as within nature. Exploring and creating new paths to redefine a future of inclusion, accessibility and consciousness for all those around us.

Haderlump

Berlin Contemporary winner Julius Weissenborn showcased his Haderlump collection before a large audience against the backdrop of historic aircraft in the impressive Hangar 6 of Tempelhof Airport. Featuring bomber jackets made from recycled parachute fabrics, leather caps, coats with fluttering satin inserts, and uniform-like denim looks, “AERO” reflected the pioneering spirit of early 20th-century aviators.

“AERO”

The inspiration for “AERO” came from Amelia Earhart, the American aviation pioneer whose life was marked by determination and technological advancement. According to label founder Julius Weissenborn, the collection pays tribute to the spirit of innovation. Elements of historic aviation, such as reinterpreted flight jackets and functional details like front pockets on trousers, define the designs.

Key materials include leather, recycled bomber jackets, and parachute fabrics, chosen for their durability and historical significance. The silhouettes, featuring narrow waists and broad shoulders, create a strong presence, supported by a color palette of black, brown, white, and blue that blends traditional and contemporary styles.

Signature accessories like leather caps, silk scarves, and vintage aviator goggles add authenticity and reflect the functionality and protection of aviation clothing. The atmosphere in Hangar 6, a mix of industrial architecture and historical context, was enhanced by the music of the duo Pan-Pot, particularly the track “Rosinenbomber,” which connected Berlin’s cultural spirit with Haderlump’s creative approach.

our ethos is a commitment to longevity

Haderlump presents a fresh urban uniform embodying confidence amidst the complexities of modern life. Our fashion caters to individuals ready to confront the present’s challenges and evolve alongside them. The result is an aesthetic blending resilience with delicacy, rebellion with elegance. At the heart of our brand lies a dedication to craftsmanship, with each garment meticulously handcrafted in our Berlin Atelier. Our design language respects the past while looking towards the future.

In our creative realm, materials and concepts seamlessly shift between contexts. We often reimagine “used” ideas and reinterpret them according to our time. Central to our ethos is a commitment to longevity, both in material durability and conceptual depth. We believe brilliant ideas require quality materials for its realization, just as interesting materials necessitate innovative ideas for enduring creations.

We believe in a better system and in fashion that works beyond mass-produced goods and provides relevant answers to pressing current issues. What creative contribution can fashion make in a time of accelerated consumption and ecological catastrophes?

What basic attitude do issues such as identity, diversity and inclusion demand? How can these questions be translated into aesthetically functional statements without favoring one-sided or too quick solutions? Or even more fundamentally: how can fashion be used not only to answer questions, but also to pose new ones?

Metamorphosis – dialogues about change

In collaboration with Vogue Business and eBay, Fashion Council Germany is introducing ‘METAMORPHOSIS – dialogues about change’ powered by eBay, a new talk series as a part of Berlin Fashion Week. 

Register here for Day 2 and 3 

WEDNESDAY Shows

11 AM DZHUS
12 PM Rebekka Ruétz
1 PM HORROR VACUI
2 PM Danny Reinke
3 PM Kitschy Couture
4 PM Marcel Ostertag
5 PM SF1OG
6 PM Uhr Kilian Kerner
7 PM Balletshofer
7:30 PM Dawid Tomaszewski
8 PM Neo.Fashion. – Best Graduates Show & Award
8 PM Clara Colette Miramon
9 PM Namilia

Go to the side events         

Credit: Anonymous Club, Anasteisha Danger; Anonymous Club, Jeremy Möller; LUEDER, Jeremy Möller; OBS und Maximilian Semlinger, Denis Grigorev