Berlin fashion struts its stuff

After Milan, we’re off to Berlin for all the latest trends in fashion.

This week sees more than 130 labels showing off their upcoming autumn-winter collections in the German capital.

Among them, the Sava Nald label by Russian-born designer Inna Thomas. Her unmistakable feminine and modern style is about classical patterns with a touch of fantasy. Opulent shapes and clean forms can be mixed and matched and appeal to a wide variety of clients.

The highlight of the show was a special appearance by Ellen and Alice Kessler. Famous for their acting, singing and dancing, the twin sisters have been household names in Germany and Italy since the 1950s and remain popular to this day.

Asked about her notion of beauty, Alice Kessler said: “It’s relative, we don’t all find the same person beautiful. Somebody might find one person beautiful but I might not agree at all, it’s all relative.”

Her sister, Ellen, agreed: “Like for example, Franck Ribéry: He is beautiful, but only when he plays football!”, she exclaimed with a laugh.

Up-and-coming designers are vigorously promoted at Berlin Fashion Week. Among them are Odély Teboul and Annelie Augustin of the Franco-German label ‘Augustin Teboul’.

The pair studied at Paris’ reputed ESMOD fashion school and worked for Adidas and Jean Paul Gaultier before teaming up in 2009.

“We’re a French-German duo, and also we work between Berlin and Paris, so I guess we are influenced both by our personalities and also by both cities,” said Odély Teboul.

The duo, who have received several awards for their work, said their retro-futuristic, surrealist collection was inspired by Jean-Michel Jarre’s 1970s album ‘Équinoxe’.

Deeply rooted in the craft of tailoring, Augustin and Teboul insist on flawless workmanship and the finest materials for their cutting-edge designs.

Austrian designer Lena Hoschek showed her very feminine vision of womenswear. Classic fitted dresses and Hollywood glamour featured in her collection of outfits inspired by the Forties and Fifties.

The designer cut her teeth in fashion by assisting British icon Vivienne Westwood at her London studio before launching her own label in 2005.