Vans AfterParty

To celebrate the end of Bright trade show, Vans held an after party. We were told about the event at Bright and that we could just turn up, so we headed to the club quite early as we had all just been out for dinner. Their was a guestlist at the door, but we still managed to get through, still unsure as to how, but im not complaining! There was a massive stage and DJS playing sets, I expected not be enjoy the music but i was suprised, it was a laugh! With a free bar (hello jagermeister cocktails!), my good friends and music, it shaped up to be a pretty awesome night in Berlin!

Bread and butter: VM

The visual merchandising featured at Bread and Butter was a reason in itself to attend, brand had obviously spend thousands to ensure that their few square foot of space stood out amongst their competitors. Many were inspiring and really helped to showcase their products, whilst walking round bread and Butter and trade shows Premium and Bright i discovered a few trends occuring in the way the products were styled, hung or displayed. These are my findings...

Storage/Luggage.



Food displays.

Colourways/Popular product: bleached denim

Bread and Butter: Puma

My favourite brand at Bread and Butter was Puma. I had a level of appreciation for the brand and their advertising before i travelled to Berlin, as i feel their after hours athlete campaign is a really interesting concept, which they have been running (probably walking!) with for while. To get you up to speed here is one of their videos...

Their stand at Bread and Butter was set up like a social club, you came into a room, with trophies and certificates on the wall, decorated like an old pub, inside was seating areas, a photobooth, were you could get your own afterhours photostrip, a stand where you could get free sandwiches and cocktails, then onto the next room which was set up like a night club, with models in lit coloured boxes wearing Puma and dancing and the DJ too. (see the above photographs)

Bread and Butter

I went to Bread and Butter trade show on behalf of disorder magazine. It was very exciting, it was held in the old airport of Berlin and was absolutely huge, it was split into different sections: The treasury (a new area for accessories), L.O.C.K, Fire Department - pure goods, D.O.C.K - grown-up streetwear labels, The Denim Base and more.

This Video explains the Bread and butter experience (with dramatic voiceovers)...

Berlin Fashion Week/Taxis

Berlin Fashion Week was on whilst we were in berlin and was just a short walk from our hotel, right by the Brandenburg Gate. Though not as prestigious as Fashion Weeks in Paris or Milan and the freezing cold weather, the Berliners still managed to look stylish in their many layers! Outside of Berlin Fashion Week their were Mercedes Benz taxis which you could catch for free to Premium trade show, so off we went. Felt quite luxurious, naturally our photographer/worlds biggest tourist Vicky, was on hand to make sure the event was documented.

Alcohol/Nightclubs

It is legal also to drink anywhere on the streets of Berlin or around the city. The nightclubs in Berlin, definetly favour the electronic/techno/dance styles of music. This is what is played at most venues, their is a strong following for this music across Germany. In general however the Germans are not a fan of the British, well groups of British girls it would seem. Many friends were turned away from clubs, with only a reason that they were British, or perhaps being too loud. The German culture is very reserved, until inside the club i resume. I guess they felt we would live up to the Brits Abroad stereotype they have seen around. Like i said this wasn't actually me, as i seem to have acquired the art of blagging myself into and/or out of anything in Berlin! See Metro tickets, Sebastian Ellrich and Vans AfterParty.

Prostitution

Prostitution and Brothels, in Berlin and all of Germany is legal. In 2002 the law was changed to make to improve the legal situation for prostitutes. Prostitutes can actually work as an 'employee' witha  contract to a particular or several men, though the vast majority work independantely. As prostitution is legal, and they are making money it counts as their profession so they are required to pay income taxes and charge for VAT. In Berlin their is a set amount prostitutes have to pay a day- roughly $30. Advertising for Brothels and Prostitutes is also seen in newspapers and around the city. One of the only things that is illegal about the sex trade in Berlin is Pimping, no-one is allowed to be in chrage of the prostitutes they must work for themselves.

There is even places in Berlin where there are parking meter type machines were a prostitute can pay her money for a certain amount of time, and then that is her corner, or strip of street! We were told all of this by our alternative tour guide, he has said since the law was abolished, there have been less problems as the situation can be monitored easier.

The Alternative Tour

We went on the alternative tour, and it definetly has to be a highlight of Berlin. You meet under the TV tower and are taken on a 3 hour-or-so walking tour of Berlin. It was amazing as with one tour guide and small groups it means the tour can be altered somewhat based on your groups interests. Our tour guide was very funny and informative. Told us lots of interesting facts about Berlin, advice on nights out, and showed us hidden parts of Berlin we may have missed otherwise. I learnt so much from the tour, and even better that it is a free tour, with an optional (though you areally should) donation at the end of the tour. Places we visited were Tascheles, The Berlin Wall, Mitte district, The Street art walkway etc. I really would advise the tour as a first thing to do to give you a feel for Berlin when you arrive.

TV Tower

The TV Tower or Fernsehturn i believe it is translated, is situated in AlexanderPlatz and is where the alternative tour begins. We found ourselves rushing towards this as we were running late (as always) for the tour. The TV tower was supposed to be 365 metres high (the same as the amount of days in the year, so to be easy to remember) however it is now 368metres! You can venture up the tower, it is seven stories high, and offers panoramic views of Berlin, aswell as having a restaurant inside. The TV tower is still the only TV Tower in Europe so is very unique and has over a million visitors a year.

Toast and Jam

Toast and Jam is Bread and Butter's little sister if you will, this was the tradeshows first year, it is a vintage affair which takes place opposite B&B, however in a far smaller venue one more reminiscent of a town hall, though this just adds to the kitsch and more authentic feel to the tradeshow. If featured around 20 or so stalls featuring vintage clothes and finds, their was many a bargain to be had.

Bread and Butter: High Voltage

I attended the four tradeshows whilst in Berlin, the biggest and most prestigious being Bread and Butter. I went to the opening party High Voltage. The party and tradeshow took place in the historic Berlin-Tempelhof, the old aiport for the city.

The B&B opening party began with the amazing FuerzaBruta show, which i could not put into words myself so i shall steal this quote from variety: 'A highly theatrical ferocioulsy stimulating. An evening of jaw-dropping sensation FuerzaBruta with its magical effects making for an eye-popping adventure.' it was truely a 4D visual spectacular.

Then after that 2ManyDJ's came to the stage to spin the decks for the rest of the night! It was a brilliant evening filled with dancing, complentary drinks and excitement for the following day!

At the enternace to High Voltage their was a Bread and Butter photobooth, so here is me Vicky and Alice looking ridiculous posing away, however a nice souvenir to keep of the tradeshow!

The Jewish Memorial/Museum

In 2005, Germany finished completion of the Jewish Memorial, a monument to all of the murdered Jews, it features 2,700 concrete slabs of different heights, widths and depths scattered across a square. With steps in the middle which lead to the memorial museum. It was unveiled on the 60th anniversary of the end of World War 2. You can walk through the slabs in any direction as their is no specific route or information to follow. The memorial is situated by the Brandenburg Gate and is between East and West Berlin.

The Memorial below, was very insigntful, reading stories from the war was very harrowing and upsetting, but interesting at the same time. It offers lots of in-depth information and a chronolgical ordering of events that surrounded the war, with lots of displays and posters. I would definetly recommend anyone to visit.

Reichstag

The Reichstag is the old government building in Berlin, just a short walk from our hotel, we booked a trip to the dome, and we travelled up in the lift, then walked around the spiral slope to the top of the dome. Unfortunately the weather was not in our favour, so the view looks quite bleak, however was lovely to see the landscape of the city. I think the structure of the dome, is very striking, especially from the center:



Berlin Fashion Week: Sebastian Ellrich

Whilst in Berlin, i attended German designer, Sebastian Ellrichs' second Fashion Show as part of Berlin Fashion Week. The collection was first shown by an ecclectic installation, which took you on a journey through several rooms with exposed concrete walls and flooring, these translated the clothes into different situations, such as a rainshower, dinner party and a roller skater, ripping up Sebastian Ellrich photographs. It showcased the versatility and functionality as well as the sharp tailoring and juxtaposition of fabrics.

The collection entitled 'Just One Of Those Days' features a distinctive colour palette of muted greys and yellows fused with jet black. The collection featured women and menswear, combining structured tailoring with some loose fitting silhouettes, the diversity of the collection meant it gave a nod to the Sports Luxe with the fully waterproof yellow hooded cape, whilst still producing elegant and effortless chic evening wear. Sebastian Ellrich showed in the Young Designers section at Premium tradeshow and is getting lots of buzz around Berlin and throughout Europe, this is definetly a designer from the creative capital to watch.

(All images taken by me)

Image available at Sebastian Ellrich, as well as the photoshoot, press and full collection, check it out.

Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg gate is one of the most historic landmarks in Berlin. It used to be one of the gates used to enter Berlin. Located in Unter den Linden, Linden being a type of tree which run down both sides of the street as you enter through the gate. It was comissioned as a sign of peace by King Frederick William the 2nd, although it suffered major structural damage in world war 2, it was restored in 2002.

In 1989 when the Berlin wall fell, the gate represented freedom to the residents of Berlin, who gathered there to celebrate. In the decemeber the west german chancellor crossed through the bridge to greet Hans Modrow the east German prime minister. In 2009 the Brandenburg Gate held a major celebration of the 20th year anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall.

Tascheles

Tascheles is an art centre on Oranienburger Straße in the district of Mitte. The building is several stories high and features wall-to-wall graffiti. It had previously housed a Department store, Nazi prison, Cinema and Nightclub however is now the home to many srtists in residents who create astounding colourful murals, graffiti and scultpures.

(All images taken by me)