Fashion Fusion: Spotlight on Berlin Fashion Week

In just a few days, the streets of Berlin will once again be a source of inspiration and a wave of creative energy will sweep through the vibrant city: Berlin Fashion Week (BFW) opens its doors from 1 – 4 July 2024.

Fashion shows, exhibitions, side events and discussions will be staged in an impressive setting at various venues, such as the industrial Arena Berlin, the stylish Kraftwerk and the historic Humboldt Forum.

These events offer deeper insights into the fashion industry and shed light on current topics such as sustainability and innovation. This exciting mix is not to be missed, Berlin Fashion Week simply offers numerous good reasons why a visit is worthwhile, whether you are a fashion professional, a designer, a buyer or simply a fashion enthusiast.

In addition to numerous local and international designers presenting their latest collections, there will be workshops on the circular economy and more sustainable media practices, as sustainability is also a focus of Berlin Fashion Week 2024.

The event has adopted the sustainability requirements of Copenhagen Fashion Week, which means that participating designers and brands must fulfil strict criteria in terms of environmental friendliness and social responsibility. An absolutely favourable cooperation to further drive sustainability efforts and a holistic change in the fashion industry. The implementation is to take place in a pilot phase so that it can then be fully implemented in February 2026. Listen to the opening speech from Scott Lipinski ​“Sustainability RE/QUIREMENTS: How BFW and CPHFW Work Together to Inspire the Industry” to get more input about it.

Berlin Fashion Week is therefore not only on its way to becoming a transparently responsible platform for fashion that embodies freedom, creativity and inclusion but also a meeting place for art, culture and sustainability that reflects the diverse and inspiring dynamics of the city of Berlin.

Visionary Threads: Berlin’s Fashion Summit 2024

Another important part of BFW is 202030 – The Berlin Fashion Summit – a platform for industry experts, innovators, and stakeholders to discuss and promote sustainability and innovation in the fashion industry. This event will focus on a combination of workshops, panels and presentations aimed at driving change and fostering dialogue on how to create a more sustainable future for the fashion industry.

From 2 – 3 July 2024 at Bikini Berlin, you can listen to inspiring contributions and discussions from industry experts to explore new ideas and solutions that address pioneering concepts and practices in the field of more sustainable fashion.

Don´t miss the community class ​“Time to Change – The New Narrative in Fashion” with Tom Schneider (ISA Next-Gen Materials), Pheline Roggan (Changemakers.film), Martina Gleissenebner-Teskey (The Personality Institute by MGT e.U.) and Friederike von Wedel Parlow (Beneficial Design Institute) moderated by Fritz Lietsch (forum Nachhaltig Wirtschaften) or the Barcamp an ​“Unconference” with eye-level breakout session on which you can also meet COSH! CEO Niki de Schryver. More information about it you´ll find below.

COSH!, as a partner of the Berlin Fashion Summit, can offer you a 10% discount on your ticket purchase. So take the opportunity to not only enjoy the vibrant creative scene in Berlin, but also to be inspired by innovative technologies and the future prospects of fashion!

Let’s talk about ….how to realise the transition

On 3 July, Niki de Schryver, CEO of COSH!, will join 60 other experts at a barcamp to discuss how the needed changes for the future of the fashion industry. We are committed to so many different measures and projects, but nothing is changing! What can or must be done differently to drive holistic change? The lack of tangible change seems to outweigh any real movement in the future. The aim of the event is to come up with actionable insights, strategies or projects that participants can implement or advocate for in their respective fields to help shape a more impactful future. Let’s hope this innovative brainstorming approach can help explore more perspectives. We’ll be sure to keep you posted on the results!

Also on 3 July, Sabine, CSR/​Sustainability Manager at COSH!, will be discussing the challenges and opportunities of a digital product passport with Agathe Roussel from Fairly Made and Roman Houlbreque from Retraced.

How will the digital product passport be used in the future? What information is important for end consumers and where does this information actually come from? The digital product passport is an important part of creating more transparency and improving product safety and quality which can be supported by the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). 
But is the PEF-Tool influenced by the lobby? Do many aspects still need to be clarified, for example the circularity process and the calculation methods behind every impact category? We hope that the different industry branches don´t impact the development by focussing on practical aspects only but not on effectiveness. With its platform, COSH! already offers end consumers the opportunity to make more sustainable choices when shopping. In the future, further information will flow in relation to the entire life cycle of a product to ensure a level playing field for all parties involved.

You can find the complete programme here.

We find that the Berlin Fashion Summit enriches Berlin Fashion Week in every way by addressing the environmental and social challenges of the fashion industry, making it an important event for anyone interested in the future of more sustainable fashion.

Urban Innovators on the SEEK trade fair

Independently of the BFW and the Summit, trade fair SEEK will take place in Berlin at the same time on 2 and 3 July. This trade fair offers a platform for brands that are ​”characterised by innovative designs, sustainability and authenticity”. The fair attracts buyers, designers and fashion enthusiasts looking for new trends and inspiring collections. SEEK fosters a dynamic atmosphere of exchange and creativity, with topics such as sustainability and social commitment also playing an important role. Of course, you can also find some brands from the COSH! community at the fair, such as: 

Maqu

Maqu creates sensory experiences through designs that combine tradition and modernity, with a focus on more ecological and fair production. All products, from single pieces to small series, are made in Germany and Peru, reflecting Maqu’s commitment to quality and sustainability. 

Want to find out more? Visit Maqu at stand A51 or discover more about their sustainability management online.

Merz b. Schwanen

Merz b. Schwanen is known for their carefully crafted T‑shirts, sweatshirts and underwear that combine traditional manufacturing processes with modern standards of quality and sustainability. The products are made from high-quality organic cotton and are characterised by their durability and timeless aesthetics.

Do you still have questions? Then visit Merz b.Schwanen at stand A41 or discover more online.

TwoThirds

TwoThirds was founded in 2010 out of a deep love for the ocean and has since developed into a community of like-minded people. The brand strives to produce clothing that does not harm the planet and its oceans. Through its transparent manufacturing practices and commitment to sustainability, TwoThirds is helping to appeal to more environmentally conscious consumers who value style and ethical principles.

Visit TwoThirds at stand A18 or discover more about their innovative activities online here.

Wolvis

The brand is characterised by its commitment to quality, sustainability and stylish design that meets both comfort and aesthetic demands.

All Wolvis products are made from 100% merino wool and are produced locally in Belgium.

Want to find out more? Visit Wolvis at stand A31 or discover more about their sustainability management online.

Zokk’n

This Belgian sock brand offers socks for individual purchase that can be mixed and matched endlessly. The colorful socks are made of 85% merino wool and are therefore light and pleasantly soft. The brand firmly believes that sustainability starts with not throwing things away and encourages people to repair broken socks.

Do you still have questions? Then visit Zokkn at stand A14 or discover more online.

If you have time, why not hop by one of the COSH! Members in the area? The Conscious Fashion Store, meyburg, Clara Kaesdorf, bolsos berlin and Atelier Elle Pé are close by!

COSH! Pop-Up in Berlin

And of course, don’t forget the COSH! pop-up at the P&C Conscious Fashion Store in Berlin! 

This pop-up will showcase various innovative entrepreneurs from Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany. You still have the opportunity to discover many interesting designers there until November 2024. But watch out! Every two months, COSH! will change the interior of the shop and present a new selection of inspiring entrepreneurs. Take the opportunity to meet people with whom you can exchange ideas about more sustainable fashion.

Walking side by side – Green Fashion Tour

Another opportunity to meet people who are also interested in more sustainable fashion and learn about it is to take part in a COSH! Green Fashion Tour on 3 July in Kreuzberg and Neukölln.

The tour will take you to a knitting workshop and an upcycling brand. You will have the opportunity to talk to the makers and ask your questions

AI Visions for more Sustainable Fashion

And if all that wasn’t enough, we can also recommend a special event organised by VORN – The Berlin Fashion Hub at the first of July.

The event focussed on the potential of AI to change sustainability in the fashion industry. Participants explored how AI technologies can advance sustainability goals throughout the fashion supply chain, from initial design concepts to consumer views. VORN – The Berlin Fashion Hub is an initiative focused on promoting and supporting Berlin’s fashion industry. As a fashion hub, VORN plays a central role in connecting designers, brands, retailers and other players in the fashion industry. 

Berlin is always worth a visit, but especially in the first week of July and with these great event tips, we’re sure we’ve whetted your appetite. But which events will you choose? 

If you missed an event, you can look forward to our update after Fashion Week!