The real Fashion Week’s action goes down backstage where one can experience nervous models, clothes all over the place, hairstylists and make-up artists lined up and ready to tackle their next model’s transformation into perfection, and where utter chaos is prevalent and magical.
We experienced the cream of crochet and had a glimpse at how the embellishments and golden chains for the dress collections were created at Dimitri’s backstage. There is a lot of sweat, organization, determination and hairspray behind every runway show!
Although things started moving on day one, when Thomas Hanisch presented his new designs, the classy Dimitri show attracted many influential industry insiders and celebrity bloggers lucky enough to snag invites sashay routinely on the runway.
Dimitri started off day three in magnificent style: The color palette in Dimitri’s SS 17 collection was reduced to a clean white and gold nuances, but the purist pieces still had an exotic and exciting twist to them. It seems as if Dimitri can do anything and everything to a fabric. We noticed a strong Greek vibe to his looks: Floating kaftans, elegant cuts and glittering details dominated his runway. Greek Gods and Goddesses ruled the runway!
He presented a collection which ranged between sophisticated bohemian and exquisitely beautiful Greek goddess style for which he is renowned. New details to note were the swim wear collection with interesting cut outs and cool gold details.
Straight from the Dimitri show we rushed to the Lena Hoschek runway show. As editors, models, and style influencers gathered at the fashion week tent to see what Lena Hoschek has in store for SS 17, we sat down front row and watched who was sweeping the runway.
Lena Hoschek “Ahoy!”
Anchors aweigh! was the battle cry of Lena Hoschek this season. This time, Lena Hoschek teleported her collection from the Baltic Sea of the 1900’s, the era when the bathing culture first emerged. The music consisted of ambient soundtracks of whooshing waves and frolic bird chirruping.
This is a place of sailors and bathing beauties (prints with nautical elements, a sea-salt white, coral and pale denim color palette), bombshells (bustiers and waist-hugging Marlene pants), chanties, sunny beach vacations (you never know when a parasol and vintage inspired bathrobe will come in handy) and playful sailor collar style dresses.
After the show, Lena told us that she felt really exhausted after the very intense time of preparing her collection and the runway show. But instead of indulging herself in vacation at the Baltic Sea after fashion week, she will carry on working and finishing active collaborations. Interestingly, she doesn’t need to travel exotic places to get inspiration for her designs. She gets often imbued by creative ideas just in front of the computer and starts drifting off. Sometimes her creativity blossoms when she is listening to a song or when she is simply looking through the internet for inspiration.
Lena Hoschek remains a constant by popular demand at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. Since she became an established brand, there is obviously more work to do. She always knew that she wanted to start her own business. Moreover, the success provides her with a cushy feeling of self-esteem. On the other hand, people around her have changed and there is more hanger-ons trying to be friends with her. Luckily, she has also plenty of genuine friends who are honest with her and make sure she stays grounded.
We then quickly rushed to the Marcel Ostertag show “Air” which was inspired by everything nature. The models resembled light clouds and freshness just like Air. His shows are always in an interesting venue that compliments his taste and style.
Marcel is a great host, giving his guests veggies and vegan hamburgers, French fries, salads, and dessert after the show. We enjoyed the delicious food so much that we skipped dinner and went right into our interview and were social with the attendees.
His love for nature comes from his childhood by living in the country. He finds nature most inspiring which manifests in his collections names such as Rain, Desert, Air…. He enjoys a daily spiritual awakening and just loves nature. That’s why all of his look-books are shot in the outdoors.
With a packed schedule full of runway shows and events, and nearly walking 50 miles in 4 days, we never thought this dreaded moment would come: the final day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. But we will see each other next season again! Stay tuned…
