Berlin is renowned for its tourists by the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall, the salted pretzel. However, I was there with different motives. I was intrigued to see if Berlin was indeed the fashion nucleus of Germany. Since my visit coincided with the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall, I wanted to see what this social revolution had done for fashion. Did it inspire designers, breed fashion creatives and launch artists?
One shop I had to visit based on reputation was ‘Made in Berlin’, located in the scheumenviertel neighborhood (or kieze as the locals say). I was promised hand picked vintage pieces, boots galore and enough checked shirts to clothe a rugby team. However, I was slightly disappointed by the price. A tee for €19, a bag for €30, an ’80s inspired jumper for €29.99; impressed I was not. I caught most of my street snaps either in this shop or just out side it, proving that it would seem to be the haven for many Berliners. I left empty handed. For future trips take note: Go to Charlottenburg for jewellery, visit Kreuzberg for vintage garments and leave aside at least four hours on a Sunday for the flea market in Prenzlauer.
Berlin by night
The last night of my trip included a sneak peak into the world of electro and trance, Fat Boy Slim was DJing at Week End; according to the Lonely Planet “the best Berlin has to offer”. The road to Mr Slim was far travelled, as I started the night at a causal shabby chic art gallery in Alexanderplatz. The Bordel Des Arts premiered “En Berline á Berlin”. This 90-minute film, gave viewers a second-class ticket, on a rediscovery journey through Berlin.
Even here, none of the audience seemed to strike me as that style eclectic. A classic bowler here, high-waisted shorts there, a pair of braces and converse combo: the usual. I did however pick out gallery owner and pal, she in the sailor boy hat and he in denim overload.
After a mishap with the new trendy bar White Trash, we finally made it to weekend. I was giddy about the rare and radical scene I was about to confront, not just for the fashion, but for the heavy hitting beats too. Pre Mr Slim’s entrance I took the time to get snaps of young Berlin, pre the heavy sweating. As I waited inline for the toilet, I bumped into Sara who was rocking the Afro, like the Pik had never been invented. She looked classy, modern yet mimicked the styling of the late Billie Holiday.
It’s clear that style for the Germans, is about self-expression, high quality fabrics and more often than not high prices too. The streets are filled with one off designers, offering a quirky alternative to the high street, whether it be a leather tee or a netted hooded cape. So the fall of the wall created an exciting zeitgeist both socially and politically as east met west, but style? So there was the girl with the fingerless gloves, the model with the James Dean on crack haircut and an array of Doc Martin boots and leggings combos. But did I fall in love with German style? Probably not. Did I fall in love with electro music? Maybe so.
Special thanks goes to Gizem, Ceyda, Nes, Lia and Natalia for an amzing trip!
