Berlin Fashion Week was as international as never before. From June 30 to July 3, 2025 around 30.000 guests visited 36 shows at iconic places such as Palais am Funkturm, the decommissioned Flughafen Tempelhof, the legendary KitKat-Club and Schloss Charlottenburg to discover the highlights of the Spring/Summer 2026 collections.
A look at this season’s shows reveals once again that fashion is always a reflection of social developments and personal stories. Themes such as identity, transformation and responsibility characterised numerous collections – sometimes subtle, sometimes loud, sometimes radically rethought. The guiding theme of ‘The responsible movement of freedom, inclusion and creativity’ was interpreted and further developed individually.
Franziska Giffey, Mayor and Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises: „Freedom, diversity and creativity are at the core of our brand and among the defining values of our city – and they’re also the recipe for the success of Berlin Fashion Week. With established formats like ‘Berlin Contemporary,’ we’ve been actively supporting exceptional emerging talents for more than two years – talents who stand out with innovative and sustainable approaches, whether in their products, company culture, or presentation. This season, by opening up the format internationally, we’ve taken it to the next level: transforming Germany’s capital into a stage for the most promising talents from around the world, and at the same time reinforcing Berlin’s role as a leading platform for the fashion of the future.”
THE SHOWS
Berlin Fashion Week impressed with a compelling mix of established brands and emerging talent – including the 19 winners of the BERLIN CONTEMPORARY concept competition, supported by the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises with €25,000 in funding each. For the first time, the competition was also open to international labels – a move that not only brought more diversity to the runway calendar, but also further established BFW as a global platform.
The week kicked off on Monday with Clara Colette Miramon, who presented her third collection titled “Care” in collaboration with PLATTE.Berlin – a reflection on the visibility of care, inspired by medical corsets and caregiving uniforms. She was followed by the Berlin debut of Ukrainian label VIKTORANISIMOV at the Feuerle Collection. Though the collection was presented entirely in black – with uniform-like jackets and cargo pants – the lightweight linen fabrics, reminiscent of bandages, evoked a sense of healing. Bold contrasts also defined Laura Gerte, a Berlin Contemporary winner, whose collection “Desire/Chaos” explored the complexity of the female experience. Strength and vulnerability were mirrored not only in the transformative nature of the garments but also in the material choices – silk scarves and mesh met raw hems and rigid denim contours. Kitschy Couture closed out the first day with an emotional highlight. In the collection “Heimweh”, also recognized by Berlin Contemporary, designer Abarna Kugathasan fused traditional vintage saris with Western fashion codes – creating a heartfelt love letter to both her origins and her new home.
On Tuesday seven more Berlin Contemporary winners took the runways. Milk of Lime (part of NEWEST) opened day two with its poetic-punk collection “CHIME,” inspired by growing up in rural areas. Fittingly, the show featured the sound of bells, and small silver chimes appeared on tops, belts, and bags – paired with airy fabrics, flowing silhouettes, and vintage- inspired floral prints. The new collection from PALMWINE IceCREAM focused on womenswear for the first time. Pieces such as a leather ballerina corset and hand-painted leather bags were created from upcycled leather, deadstock cotton, organza and mesh in collaboration with Ghanaian artisans. At MARKE (part of NEWEST), the focus was on queer joy from past eras: historical references blended seamlessly with sporty elements, while soft fabrics and floral jacquards told the love stories of literary characters that inspired designer Mario Keine’s collection “The Summer I Never Had“. Balletshofer also looked to the past for inspiration, calling for travel to once again become a moment worth dressing up for. Boxy suits, elegant capes, and lace tracksuits offered the perfect wardrobe for such journeys.#DAMUR presented “Make Me Water,” an ode to fluidity – in body, fashion, and spirit. Bright colors, sheer fabrics, and flowing silhouettes met structured denim and eco-leather, telling stories of devotion, transformation, and the power of letting go.
With “Milieuschutz,” Richert Beil unveiled a collection that explored the tension between preservation and renewal. Inspired by the renovation of their new studio – a 135-year-old pharmacy in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district – floral motifs ran through the looks as symbols of transience and care. An oversized blazer with rose embroidery met silk shirts and trousers with handmade lace, while latex-leather trousers reimagined traditional German attire. Sia Arnika presented her take on the “It Girl” with “Summer Time Sadness” – featuring skimpy shorts, tight cut-out tops, micro-pleated skirts, deconstructed shirts, mini dresses, and the brand’s signature clogs. Complementary menswear pieces rounded out the collection. Buzigahill (part of NEWEST) remained true to its ethos with “RETURN TO SENDER 11,” delivering a bold statement on textile colonialism, ownership, and reclamation. The collection stood out with deconstructed silhouettes, handcrafted patchworks, and innovative cuts. Rebekka Ruétz invited audiences on a journey toward a wild and free self – one unafraid of imperfection. Anja Gockel asked, “What colors does your happiness dream of?” Marc Cain opted for restraint and understated elegance with “A Quiet Rebellion” – a quiet counterpoint in an age often defined by volume and speed.
On Wednesday, the historic Palais am Funkturm in West Berlin became the stage for INTERVENTION. Returning for the third time: LUEDER, whose collection “SL∀Y” explored the theme of “slaying the dragon.” Inspired by ancient mythology, she presented her most colorful work yet around a silver dragon installation – combining metallic armor greys with bold hues and feminine silhouettes with utilitarian elements.. David Koma made his Berlin debut with his first-ever menswear show. Titled “I Love David,” the collection combined Y2K denim, graphic prints, and playful touches like hibiscus brooches – referencing David Beckham, Michelangelo’s David, and the designer himself. Ottolinger also celebrated its debut at Berlin Fashion Week. “Heidi” was inspired by the idea of being the cool older sister who breaks the rules so you don’t have to. Fittingly pop singer Kim Petras opened the show, which featured jersey pieces, printed mesh dresses and tops, deconstructed tailoring, and coated denim. GmbH once again impressed with its signature fusion of sharp tailoring and narrative depth. The collection “Imitation of Life” paired refined boxing shorts, satin tops, and shirts with structured tailoring – as well as crop tops and hoodies printed with bold statements.
Haderlump’s new collection was inspired by the forgotten artistic craft of ex libris, which was once used to mark ownership in books. Subtle prints and contrasting decorative seams recalled these miniature works of art, while the wide range of natural materials – from linen and leather to cotton and wool – highlighted the value of the analog in a digital age. Auch SF1OG (part of NEWEST) also looked to the past: inspired by historical depictions of women in love, the label created a collection about romantic longing. Fittingly, models walked the runway symbolically struck by Cupid’s arrow – wearing jackets and trousers made from antique fabrics, dresses with leather corsets and flowing skirts, and tattooed leather vests that appeared to merge with the skin of their wearers. The Berlin Curated group show offered a stage to Germany’s 16 most promising fashion students on the verge of graduating— sending a strong message about the importance of nurturing emerging talent. In the UBER Arena, Kilian Kerner presented his collection “DDR. Die gestohlenen Kinder” as part of COLLECTIVEFOUR. Danny Reinke drew inspiration from the legendary tapestries of the Maître de la Chasse à la Licorne, while Marcel Ostertag’s “Paradise” was a celebration of togetherness, festivity, and life itself.
COLRS (part of NEWEST) opened the final day with “JUMPING FENCES,” a collection inspired by a carefree journey through Brazil, full of adventure and youthful crushes. Vintage and upcycled pieces told stories of unforgettable moments under the tropical sun. Orange Culture (part of NEWEST) took a different direction with “In the Shadow,” turning the spotlight on what often remains unseen. Designer Adebayo Oke-Lawal used fine embroidery on vibrant fabrics to address the taboo surrounding mental health in his native Nigeria – encouraging the visibility of vulnerability. Andrej Gronau unveiled a collection that retained his signature playful details – bows, stripes, and star motifs – while feeling more mature overall. Alongside brightly colored checked shirts and cotton shorts, the designer leaned more heavily into knits and tailored pieces in muted tones. Gerrit Jacob chose to present his new collection “Game Over” in the form of a film. The visuals featured oversized pieces emblazoned with fictional banknotes, referencing themes such as capitalism, consumption, power, and greed. Closing the Berlin Fashion Week IOANNES presented “Better Grow Thorns Than Thicker Skin” in the Orangerie at Charlottenburg Palace – a poetic statement encouraging vulnerability as a form of strength. This duality was expressed through body- hugging silhouettes, sheer fabrics, delicate ruffles, and pastel tones, contrasted with boxy blazers and coats, along with floor-length leather and sequin fringes on dresses and bags in bold black. After their last show in London, Tell the Truth debuted their new collection at Berlin Fashion Week. Meanwhile, at the Atrium Tower on Potsdamer Platz in the heart of the capital, Neo.Fashion took place on July 2 and 3, 2025. The platform for emerging designers featured numerous fashion shows, events, panel talks, and award ceremonies.
THE PRESENTATIONS
The established group exhibition DER BERLINER SALON kicked off Berlin Fashion Week on Monday at noon. Held in the galleries of the Museum of Photography and the Helmut Newton Foundation, 52 talented emerging designers presented their looks – embedded within the museum’s current exhibition.
The newly launched presentation format RAUM.Berlin, initiated by the Fashion Council Germany and powered by eBay, took place in the iconic Kranzler X on Ku’damm. Over three days, a total of nine designers showcased their collections to both industry professionals and the public.
Christiane Arp, Chairwoman and Founding Member, Fashion Council Germany:
“Berlin Fashion Week is the stage for emerging talents. The various funding formats not only enhance the content diversity of the fashion week but also send a strong message about the sustainable support of young design talent.”
THE EVENTS
Alongside the shows and presentations, Berlin Fashion Week offered a more extensive accompanying program than ever before – with exhibitions, pop-ups, talks, showrooms, and exclusive networking events.
Studio2Retail, supported by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises and the Berliner Sparkasse, once again provided broad public access to Fashion Week events.
The talk series METAMORPHOSIS – dialogues about change, powered by eBay, delivered powerful impulses. High-profile guests discussed key future topics for the industry – with a clear focus on sustainability, cultural transformation, and social responsibility.
THE GUESTS
With even more prominent guests and leading experts from the global fashion industry, Berlin Fashion Week once again underlined its growing international relevance. Among them were: Mark Holgate, Fashion Features Director Vogue US; Alexis Hoopes, Vice President Fashion eBay; Stavros Karelis, Founder and Buying Director Machine-A; Wilow Diallo, Financial Times HTSI; Jan-Michael Quammie, Elle USA, Grace Banks, Forbes, Sara Sozzani Maino, Fondazione Sozzani as well as Chloe King, Director of Fashion & Lifestyle at Saks Fifth Avenue & Neiman Marcus. Sara Sozzani Maino, Creative Director Fondazione Sozzani, Edward Buchanan, Design Consultant & Milano Fashion Director at Perfect, Top model Toni Garrn and and Nigerian-London-based designer Mowalola Ogunlesi also came to Berlin. Journalists from international media outlets such as Forbes, Fucking Young!, GQ, and Hypebeast reported live from the runway.
In addition, global content creators and key opinion leaders came to Berlin, including: Albert Ayal (@albertayal), Bloody Osiris (@bloodyosiris), Blake Abbie (@blakeabbie), Declan Chan (@declanchan), Diane Pernet (@asvof), Hanan Besovic (@ideservecouture), Izzy Spears (@iizzyspearss), Edem Dossou (@edemdl), Fai Khadra (@faikhadra), Kim Petras (@kimpetras), Kim Russell (@thekimbino), Kozue Akimoto (@akimoto_kozue), Michael Smith (@_smithstagram), Sita Abellan (@sitabellan), Stefano Pilati, Susanna Lau (@susiebubble) – all of whom played a key role in amplifying Berlin Fashion Week’s global visibility.
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