When thinking of Germany, a few cliché’d things may come to mind—bratwurst and beer, mecha-techno beats, and an inexplicable love for all things involving David Hasselhoff. But in the 21st century, Deustchland’s capital of Berlin is forging a new identity for the nation as a center of a unique brand of postmodern art, culture, and fashion.
From June 6th-9th, a bevy of young, talented and brash designers presented a testament to this new identity at Mercedes Benz fashion week in Berlin. The 53 designers presenting at the regal and iconic Brandenburg Gate this past June reflected a quintessentially Deustch aesthetic–an air of classical crispness knocked slightly offbeat. The designers are united by a penchant for the modern, and a flair for creating wearable ensembles that can walk right off of the runway. Here’s a selection of designers who best reflect the zeitgeist of Berlin fashion today.
Rena Lange
The Godmother of this German fashion house, Martha Lange, opened her lingere boutique in Munich 1916. Though the original storefront was destroyed in World War Two, the founder’s nephew resurrected the label as ready-to-wear in 1953 and renamed it Rena Lange. Staying true to the Berlinese trend of color blocking, Rena Lange shows an array of basic pieces paired in classic style. At the same time, he manages to flex his modern art muscles by showcasing a Mondrian dress, a geometric, eye-teasing sheath dress, and a rough horizontal-striped tank top.