After five years, I had the opportunity to attend several events and shows at Berlin Fashion Week once again. Below, you will find an overview of the events I was able to visit. Further down in this post, you can find the corresponding videos as well as additional information regarding the collections.
Before we dive deeper into the events, however, I would like to shed some light on the history, current formats, and concepts of Fashion Week in the German capital.
History of Berlin Fashion Week
Founded in 2007, Berlin Fashion Week is one of the newer events on the circuit and cannot look back on a long history like Milan, Paris, London, or New York. I have already explored the question of how relevant fashion shows still are today in my post titled “How Relevant Are Fashion Shows?”.
The Berlin Fashion Week is supported by the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises (SenWEB). In cooperation with Berlin Partner for Business and Technology, the Fashion Council Germany ensures its execution. They work closely with the agencies Press Factory GmbH (for communication and media relations) and Uhura Digital (for digital and social media marketing) to coordinate the event.
In addition to a multitude of shows, events, conferences, and trade fairs, SenWEB also supports other formats that make up the core of Berlin Fashion Week. These are supplemented by additional events from Berlin’s international creative scene and aggregated in the official schedule. A particular focus is placed on promoting talent and upcoming professionals in the fashion industry.
Berlin stands for progressive (sub)cultural movements and trends that unite fashion, art, design, as well as the club and music scene like no other metropolis. The Berlin Fashion Week reflects these cross-connections, bringing relevant topics such as sustainability, inclusion, and innovation, alongside talent promotion, into sharp focus.
https://fashionweek.berlin/
Examples of talent promotion formats include Intervention, Newest, Der Berliner Salon, Neo.Fashion, Studio2Retail, and the 202030 Summit.
Here is the overview of the events I was able to attend during my stay in Berlin. They are listed in chronological order.
Overview of the Events
Kilian Kerner
Friday, January 31, 2025
Marina Hoermanseder
Friday, January 31, 2025
Marcel Ostertag
Friday, January 31, 2025
Vanessa Baernthol
Friday, January 31, 2025
OBS
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Maria Chany
Saturday, February 1, 2025
JANUARY 31
KILIAN KERNER
Back in 2019, I already had the opportunity to watch a show by Kilian Kerner as part of Berlin Fashion Week. You can find the corresponding article here. As a prominent member of the GNTM (Germany’s Next Topmodel) family, the designer is a permanent fixture among the guest judges in every season.
He regularly awards jobs on the show, thereby offering newcomers the chance to gain a foothold in the German modeling landscape.
In the current Autumn/Winter season, Kilian Kerner’s show delivered exactly as expected: a successful mix of color, patterns, and a healthy dose of glitter.
Together with Danny Reinke and Marcel Ostertag, Kilian Kerner once again organized a joint trio show this year. All three shows took place in the impressive Uber Eats Music Hall, a truly unique venue. Tickets for the events were partially sold to the public, with the proceeds going to charitable organizations—a concept that is completely unique to Berlin Fashion Week!
Originally started as Collective Four, Rebekka Ruétz decided to showcase her collection solo again this year.
Kilian Kerner’s collection perfectly reflected his signature style and featured several characteristic elements: flared trousers, the striking Valentino pink, and modern sets that you could easily envision on someone like Heidi Klum. Familiar faces from the GNTM universe, including Stella and Nicole, were also part of the show’s cast, which was exactly as expected.
However, the biggest surprise came with the music selection: a mix of popular radio songs, mostly from the past decade, made it difficult to create a cohesive atmosphere, as the tracks were just too different from one another.
Nevertheless, I am certain that this collection will be a commercial success. You can watch the grand finale of the show here.
MARINA HOERMANSEDER
The Austrian designer Marina Hoermanseder is an alumna of the ESMOD fashion school in Berlin. Since 2014, she has been one of the biggest names at Berlin Fashion Week, renowned for her high recognition value, particularly her signature belt buckles and corsets. She discovered her love for the corset during an internship at Alexander McQueen.
Her designs have already been worn by celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Lady Gaga, and Heidi Klum. Her collaboration with Heidi Klum on Germany’s Next Topmodel in particular significantly boosted the visibility of both the brand and the designer. A standout example of this partnership was her appearance during the big live finale in 2022.
This year, the label showcased a collection celebrating its tenth anniversary. Fittingly, the theme was a children’s birthday party: vibrant decorations, balloons, cakes, and Lego shaped both the venue and the collection itself.
The sponsor, Lego, blended seamlessly into the motto, drawing a massive amount of guest attention with a Lego flower stand outside the venue, a photo wall, and especially the looks worn by front-row influencers like Stefanie Giesinger, Anna-Maria & Katharina Damm, and Alex Mariah Peters.
Marina Hoermanseder A/W 2025 Show
Marina Hoermanseder A/W 2025 Show
Marina Hoermanseder A/W 2025 Show
On the left, you will find a video to give you an impression of how Marina Hoermanseder transformed the Hotel Oderberger into a true highlight of Fashion Week 2025.
Lego also managed to be a part of the show’s most breathtaking looks. For instance, the brand’s flowers covered voluminous heart-shaped skirts and jackets alike. They could even be found adorning the neckline of a dress, blending seamlessly into the signature Hoermanseder aesthetic.
Beyond the runway, the after-show party kept the children’s birthday party theme alive with features like a ball pit, crafting tables, and makeup stations.
MARCEL OSTERTAG
Marcel Ostertag acquired his expertise during his studies at the prestigious Central St. Martins College in London. In 2006, he founded his eponymous label, through which he clearly commits to values such as sustainable production, the use of high-quality materials, and fair working conditions, according to the company’s website.
The designer is also part of the GNTM family, though he is only seen on the show occasionally. The last time he cast one of the models for his runway show was in 2020.
There were no major surprises at Marcel Ostertag either. The designer delivered exactly what was expected. Plenty of color combined with white boots, flared trousers, and ruffles created a beautifully harmonious overall look.
As seen in many shows this season, the model cast was heavily influenced by GNTM: Jana, Armin, Martina, Lou-Anne, and other familiar faces walked the runway for Ostertag.
It is particularly worth highlighting that age plays no role for Marcel Ostertag. Several of the models were in the best-ager category, and instead of relying solely on professional models, the designer also sent some of his muses down the runway: customers who hold a special significance for him. This was a fascinating statement that beautifully underscores the designer’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
VANESSA BAERNTHOL
As part of Berlin Fashion Week, Vanessa Baernthol presented her debut autumn/winter 2025 runway show, titled “Rebuilt”. The fashion designer and stylist is based in Berlin.
Scheduled for 7:00 PM, the show was one of the final appointments on the Fashion Week calendar that Friday. Unfortunately, this timing caused several guests to arrive late, while others were unable to attend at all. As a result, the show at the Quantum Galerie started with a delay of around 90 minutes, creating a certain tension within the team that uncomfortably spread to the guests as well.
The ten looks were presented in a deliberately somber, almost depressive manner, which harmonized quite well with the industrial, clean aesthetic of the venue. Complementing this atmosphere, the runway itself was decorated with light-colored chunks of rock that the models had to navigate around. The combination of the dark, gloomy looks, characterized by oversized fits, gothic elements, and intentionally unfinished details, blended seamlessly with the location.
Keeping in mind that this was Vanessa Baernthol’s Fashion Week debut, the raw, unfinished hems could easily be perceived as a makeshift solution. As a result, the show occasionally gave off the impression of a student presentation.
However, it must be said that the show lacked structure and execution. The long wait, coupled with the brief runtime, left a rather uncomfortable impression for both the team and the audience. Additionally, the designer chose not to make an appearance at the end of the show, which was signaled abruptly when the music just stopped. It would have been compelling to see a bit more of the young designer’s vision to gain a more comprehensive insight into her work.
FEBRUARY 1
OBS
Since 2019, OBS has focused on high-quality materials. The shape of each product is designed to reflect the principles of durability and material efficiency, which is particularly evident in the raw edges and visible seams of their leather handbags.
The brand’s highly anticipated Fashion Week debut took place in 2025, drawing notable industry figures like Christiane Arp from the Fashion Council Germany and Patrick Pendiuk from German Vogue, who made sure not to miss the show.
The setting of the show inside the St. Elisabeth Church was reminiscent of an urban construction site: raw brickwork, sandy ground, concrete blocks, and a concrete mixer created a gritty, industrial atmosphere. A large, translucent sheet filtered the light, producing highly dramatic effects.
The contrast between the raw surroundings and the fashion emphasized a rebellious, unconventional spirit. The models entered through a heavy iron door and engaged in construction tasks—assembling a shelf, painting a wall, or using a jackhammer.
The show’s finale perfectly captured and summarized the intense mood of the location.
MARIA CHANY
In July 2024, the label founded by Serbian designer Maria Chany made its debut at Berlin Fashion Week. Her second collection is titled “ELYSIUM”.
In this collection, waste materials were transformed into wearable art and avant-garde accessories. Utilizing designs made from recycled rubber, biomaterials, and textile scraps, she seamlessly blends industrial elements with modern silhouettes.
The name ELYSIUM, inspired by Greek mythology, symbolizes transformation, much like the waste materials that are given a second life here. Although all designs are created to fit every body type (from XXS to XXL), the runway cast itself showed diversity primarily in age and height rather than body shapes, as all the models were noticeably slender.
The location of the show also deserves a special mention here, as it took place at Mall of Berlin Recycling, a converted parking garage retrofitted with sustainable materials like timber frames and “Sauerkrautplatten” (wood wool panels) for sound insulation. Geothermal energy and solar panels provide a low-carbon energy supply.
By choosing this venue, Maria Chany highlights not only fashion but also the critical importance of waste minimization and the vital work of waste collectors, making a powerful statement on the circular economy and sustainability.
The music at Maria Chany was perfectly tailored to the fashion, proving to be the ideal match for a modern runway collection heavily inspired by street style and a subtle gothic edge. The techno mix perfectly underscored the core vibe of Berlin, making it absolutely clear that above all else, it has to be one thing: cool.
The level of organization surrounding the debut show was a pleasant surprise, demonstrating that truly comprehensive attention had been paid to every aspect of the event.
CONCLUSION
Ultimately, it can be said that Marina Hoermanseder delivered her show with the greatest sense of fun and effortless ease. Personally, the fashion created in cooperation with Lego was my absolute favorite!
The two shows at the Uber Eats Music Hall, Kilian Kerner and Marcel Ostertag, were nice to watch but offered few surprises.
While Vanessa Baernthol arguably walked away with the most lessons on what to watch out for next time, Maria Chany and OBS delivered the biggest surprises of the week. For OBS, it was definitely the striking staging of the show, whereas Maria Chany impressed with unique materials and cuts that I honestly did not expect!
Before I say thank you, I would like to leave you with the following appeal:
Fashion thrives on creativity and individuality, yet true greatness is found in togetherness. It is not about who appears the coolest or the most influential. Kindness, respect, and authenticity are the true essentials that everyone should wear.
Let us make Fashion Week and the industry as a whole a place where mutual support matters more than self-promotion, and where respect triumphs over egos. Because fashion is meant to connect us, not divide us.
The Author’s Appeal
I would like to thank all the labels that placed their trust in me, as well as all the friendly faces who gave this Fashion Week the wonderful lightheartedness it needed!