The epicenter of the eccentricity, Berlin’s influence extends deep into the roots of its people and its fashion. In contrast to the glamour and glitz of the runway in Paris or London, the capital of Germany has redefined fashion by promoting young designers who pour new life into the industry. The rise of locally grown street style talent—from stylists to bloggers, has caught the attention of the rest of the world. We’ve profiled the individuals that are currently basking in the spotlight, and gained insight from locals who have embraced this city’s alternative nature.
To start, here are three native Berliners who are currently catching some attention on the global stage.
With techno t-shirts and patterned loose pants that exemplify his whimsical look, Marc Goehring has graced almost every collection of hot new street style from Milan to London. Continually making strides in the industry, Goehring now holds the title of Fashion Editor for 032c magazine. In an interview with W magazine, he discussed the best tips and tricks for embodying the Berlin look: “Don’t try to hard,” he says emphatically. “Be yourself.” When describing how he goes about choosing an outfit for the day, Goehring admits he’s pretty self-reliant: “I pick looks quite intuitively. If I look in the mirror and think ‘that’s rad,’ that’s it.”
Along with her impeccable and affordable style, model Alyssa Cor is also a student of the UDK art school in Berlin. Bravely mixing and matching pieces to create her own unique look, Corr isn’t afraid to make a killer outfit out of a bomber and a skirt. According to Sleek magazine, her bold nature has led her to become “good friends with Valentina, the well-dressed buds are regularly found sitting side-by-side at many of the city’s hottest fashion shows.”
During an interview she with Indie magazine, Cor was asked about the advice she would give to younger girls aspiring to become models. Her response? “Never let anyone decide about you, your body or your future,” She says. “Don’t compare with other girls and it’s all about empowerment. You will have the best time when you find real friends in that superficial business.”
Just decorated with the medal of “LCM’s Best Dressed” honor by Vogue, designer and artist Patrick Mason has been viewed as the epitome of style for some time. “His ability to coordinate colors and brands while presenting one of the most alternative outfits to walk the streets, this young creative clearly exudes Berlin fashion,” says Sleek magazine.
For Mason, his fondness for fashion goes beyond than just a knack for color schemes.“Fashion for me” he told Kaltblut magazine in 2015, “is a form of expression spirit – reflected a person’s character / fashion as new form of communication in the 21st century.”
Breaking away from the mainstage, the rest of Berlin culture seems to exude the whimsicality that its rising talents exemplify. Everyday people strut the streets with their heads held high, flashing colors and pieces that have helped make the city the style hub it is today.
A couple residents took the time to describe why they love stylistic collage that Berlin has become, and why they are proud to call it their home:
As one can see by his job title, Ron Dietze is a pretty unique guy. Walking along the graffiti-lined roads of Kreuzberg, he was stopped by the New York Times for an interview about his signature look. Wearing a black fitted suit, an equally black turtleneck and a bright-red leather trench coat, Dietze confessed that he typically added more color to his outfits. He said, however, that he was dressed “a bit classier” that day since he was heading to his daughter’s birthday party.
“My favorite piece is this coat, of course. Handmade in Paris from the ’70s. On sale for just 60 euros. You can’t do better,” he told the Times. He continued to describe the local style to be one of acceptance and practicality: “In Berlin people tend to practice more understatement. The Berlin style is simple, actually. I like Berlin because you can wear whatever you want without getting strange looks from people.”
Wearing a fine-cut black coat, a golden scarf, and animal print slip-ons, Viola Schwartz describes what she likes most about her native land:
“Everything has a home in this city. Every little neighborhood has its own fashion designers with beautiful, unique pieces. And that’s what makes Berlin a fashion capital—taking the style on the street and making your own interpretation on it, that’s fashion, and that’s Berlin!” She told the New York Times.
Flashing a large smooth piece of metal wrapped around the majority of her middle finger, Schwartz explained its appeal to the Times:“I bought the ring in France from a beautiful market from a great designer. It’s not a ring, it used to be a spoon, and you can still see that if you look at how it’s formed. I found it so well made, and it nestles up against the hand so coaxingly and wonderfully. It’s a piece of ‘geborgenheit’ that I always have with me!”
From novelty items to bold statements, it seems that people are ultimately free to dress how they see fit in Berlin. Maybe it is this freedom of that has allowed this alternative city to rise to the summit of the fashion world. As for the future? It seem that we can expect only more material originality to come from the heart and the citizens of Germany.
For a further look into the lives of street style savvy people around the world, check out The New York Times’ Intersection: Street Style video series.
