Today, I got back my repaired Nudie Jeans. That was fast, the hole got repaired. Better than going out buying a new pair. Here is hoping these last a few more years with a lot of wear.
To buy a pair of jeans or use the free repair service, the Nudie Jeans store is located at Memhardstrasse 7, Berlin.
I attended Berlin’s first The Champions Burger. The eleven day event ends May 19th at the RAW-Gelände Friedrichshain. Not knowing what to expect, I got more than I expected, a big choice of hamburgers. Tis the season in the German capital for outdoor events, a big communal BBQ is fun way to start.
The Champions Burger, sponsored by Ninja Appliances, moves to Hamburg on May 23rd.
During two cold days in April, Berlin’s fashion and lifestyle press agencies held the bi-annual Press Days events for journalist and influencers visiting offices around the city.
Beauty took front and center, with high end, drugstore, traditional and new labels getting the word out their products are on the shelves. The second noticeable trend, sustainability. The “S” word looks great in a press release, but do consumers want to pay more for sustainable products?
German drugstore giant Rossmann introduced new lines of health and lifestyle store brand products. Following the consumer trend, buyers are shifting their purchases downward away from premium marks to moderated priced generic store brands. As a two-time-a-week Rossmann shopper feeling inflation increases, this is a smart move.
Packaging, trying to get the attention of buyers on the shelves, beauty brands now emphasis packaging to stand out. Clarins shook off its traditional staid look for a more Gen Z friendly appealing colors.
Berlin based beauty brand Kess founded in 2020 has an interesting sustainable package. Some make-up tubes can be reused, just slip in a refill.
In the curious section, the Victoria Beckham preview collection with Mango. I always ask “Who Buys VB?”. The London label has struggled since inception despite Victoria’s global celebrity status. Perhaps, a capsule collection with a fast fashion store could help. Who knows! The pieces on display were minimum chic for a woman with a full social calendar.
Rayas is a collective from Berlin producing handwoven bags in EL Salvador by local women with the proceeds benefiting the community.
Möllers Köttbullar had a tasty surprise. The sustainable Berlin restaurant from Henrik Möller introduced a new Cinnamon Treat to the delight of visitors.
The annual trip to Usedom. As always in the past the weather is not idea for jumping in the water but a more reflective time. A quiet beach is the perfect place for a recharge only two hours away from Berlin.
At the 96th Academy Awards artist and filmmaker Donata Wenders wore a one of kind Cruba Berlin VCR Tape Dress to great acclaim from the global fashion press on the ultimate Hollywood Red Carpet.
On this reposted podcast from 2023 we spoke with fashion designer Mira von der Osten along with actress Eugenia Kuzmina about the material and production of this unique creation.
Recent headlines from Berlin’s KaDeWe have painted a dark picture of a once great department now in a fall. Since the last visit to the seven floor luxury emporium two weeks, the situation appears more dire on a Monday afternoon, customers appear to be staying away. More brands have pulled, not selling merchandise, or not restocking. Escalators are not working, employees are milling around staring at their smartphones. The shopping institution future looks uncertain.
There is a fashion option of renting over buying this holiday season. Check out our Podcast series Before Tacky on WeDress Collective.
Press days are always an interesting moment in the fashion business. These are times when professionals and non-professionals a like trek around the city to press agencies to go over represented clients and brands in more details. For me, I am either inspired or informed. For the upcoming season, inform sat in the driver’s seat.
Amazon Fashion, ?yes?, you read it right. When I got the invitation, my expectations were not high. When I entered the apartment, I asked ?What is Amazon Fashion, Help me understand!? The mega e-commerce site has moved into selling high-end fashion. The bigger surprise was why would desired brands sell on a site known for cut rate prices for everything from books to dog collars to grey brands. The Bellevue, Washington tech giant enlisted social media influencers to appeal to Generation Z’s as an aspiring shopping destination for HUGO and Armani Exchange pieces. Well, Jeff Bezo did not earn $200 billion by making the wrong bets. But then again, who remembers Fire? The Amazon smartphone that came and went.
The second bit of information I was told, Danish corporation Bestseller is introducing a new menswear label aimed at affluent customers. Annarr means ?the next one? in the Norse language. A curious venture for Bestseller, whose subsidiaries include fast fashion staple Jack&;Jones, it means a gamble if clientele want a buying less but better quality. Four collections per year, carefully curated with looks influenced by Copenhagen casual style with a promise of layering abilities. Annarr arrives in stores in Spring 2024.
In the shock and surprise category, G-Star Raw has a 1,200 euro jacket. Normally, one does not associate a luxury price with a known streetwear brand, but as different segments of the fashion market converge in other categories such as trainers and t-shirts, the Dutch label has made a play in the luxury category.
In case you live in Berlin but need a quick recharge away from the city, a recommendation, Schwerin, the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. A quick two hour drive away from the German Capital, the mid-sized city moves at a relaxed pace.
Jean Paul Gaultier again arrives in Berlin to creatively head Falling In Love musical show at Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin.
Here is a sneak peek from the show.
