Berlin Fashion Week showcased SS25 trends from July 01 to 04, 2024. For the fourth time, 18 brands were awarded as part of the Berlin Contemporary competition, including four new brands. These are GmbH, Horror Vacui, Balletshofer, and Clara Colette Miramon, which we highlight in this article.
GMBH
In 2016, Serhat Isik and Benjamin A. Huseby, the duo with Turkish and Pakistani roots, founded their joint label GmbH in Berlin. With remarkable success: they typically showcase their runway shows in Paris, the label is listed in the BoF500, they were nominated for the Lvmh Prize, and were finalists for the Andam and Woolmark Awards. At the heart of GmbH collections has always been storytelling. Their looks recount the experiences of both as migrant children, drawing inspiration from Berlin's club and queer music scene, while their aesthetic oscillates between German workwear and Parisian couture.
HORROR VACUI
After showcasing her collections for Horror Vacui in Paris, Anna Heinrichs makes her way back to Germany commemorating the tenth anniversary of her label. Each of her creations serves as a tribute to the intricacies of detail, embodying the essence of her label's name, a fashion motif in itself: Horror Vacui, derived from Latin, translates to "fear and emptiness." Her romantic silhouettes are meticulously crafted, blending traditional Bavarian and European artisanal techniques with a contemporary twist. Emphasizing sustainability is paramount for Anna Heinrichs, underscoring her commitment not only to fashion history but also to broader environmental concerns. From sourcing materials to production in a Ukrainian atelier, where all her creations have been meticulously crafted by hand since the label's inception in 2014, sustainability remains at the forefront of her endeavors.
BALLETSHOFER
Alan Balletshofer aims to strike a stylistic balance between bespoke craftsmanship and contemporary streetwear in her collections. His penchant for the juxtaposition of opposites runs through all his creations: the designer enjoys merging the past with the present, bringing traditional tailoring techniques into collision with innovative materials - and vice versa - or combining classic Italian men's suiting fabrics with street-style-inspired oversized silhouettes. Furthermore, all his looks are crafted from sustainable, Circular Fabric-certified materials. Following his studies at the Akademie Mode und Design and various professional stints, such as at the atelier of 032C, the native Swabian founded his label based in Tübingen in 2019.
CLARA COLETTE MIRAMON
In 2021, Clara Colette Miramon, a graduate of AMD, founded her eponymous label in Berlin. Her fashion drive is to empower women with more self-confidence by strengthening their body awareness. Miramon has always found inspiration in her childhood memories, coming-of-age stories, and subcultures. For her highly sensual looks, she skillfully intertwines traditional techniques, historical cuts, and materials with contemporary pop culture. Simultaneously, she questions and explores the traditional role of women while celebrating female sexuality. Sustainability is also a top priority for her: all her designs are created according to the made-to-order principle, and 80 percent of the materials used are recycled.
Photo Cover: Horror Vacui. Courtesy images Dzhus, Boris Marberg
© Modem