If you are a Berliner, then you are surely aware of the hype fashion week brings. Every six months, Berlin hosts the official Berlin Fashion Week, where top names in the fashion industry present their latest collections. Among the big names are Lena Hoschek, Guido Maria Kretschmer and Michalsky.
However, Berlin is home to so many up and coming designers and artists who also deserve an exuberant platform to exhibit their work without having to pay over €10,000 just to showcase their designs in the official Mercedes Benz tent. Berlin Fashion week has declined over the years, to the point where- lets face it- is now somewhat of a joke.
I could write pages and pages of the discrepancies between Berlin and its sister Fashion Weeks in Paris, New York, London and Milan; however no comparisons are needed as the official Berlin fashion week is a downward spiral. A perfect example would be the previous designers that no longer take part of the event (queue Hugo Boss and Wolfgang Joop!).
Another example would be the talented Michalsky who instead has opted to create an exclusive fashion event of his own: the Michalsky StyleNite. Although it does take place during Berlin Fashion week, it's a completely independent event.
There is no comparison between Berlin and Paris or London; Berlin is more…grungy? Ghetto? Let`s go with…eclectic.
Because Berlin fails to have an artistic platform which reflects the trending authentic Berlin art; credibility and respect in this fashion event has progressively deteriorated- to the point of almost being a joke.
Enter the Berlin Alternative Fashion Week. The name says it all. Alternative: exactly what Berlin is and not what it pretends to be.
Finally a platform was established by Adam Rose which encompasses exactly this. Finally, a fashion event in Berlin that actually reflects the eclectic Berlin soul. Greatly organized (yet lacking an open bar) the Show definitely got the audiences moving and is definitely a show to look out for.
Look out Berlin Fashion Week- the Berlin Alternative Fashion Week is coming for you.
Text and photos by Ric Paredes
Berlin Alternative Fashion Week :
The Good, the Bad, the Outrageous!
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