Berlin Fashion Week (BFW) is a platform that showcases the latest trends and ideas in fashion, attracting designers, brands, and industry professionals from around the world. This season, BFW was held amidst extreme weather conditions, with temperatures dropping to -10°C. Despite the challenging weather, the event was a success, with high spirits and a packed front row. Here are five key takeaways from BFW Fall/Winter 2026:
BFW gained more international attention: BFW has solidified its position as an international fashion platform, thanks to the Reference Studios' Intervention showcase. This program invites globally recognized brands to show on-schedule, enriching the BFW calendar. This season, newcomers included Japanese brand John Lawrence Sullivan, Nigerian designer Kenneth Ize, and skate-inspired streetwear brand Dagger. Menswear label GmbH continues to attract an international audience, and Ugandan brand Buzigahill returned for the second time.
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New formats on the calendar: BFW expanded beyond the runway with new formats. Reference Studios partnered with Tedx to host conversational fireside chats, featuring design veteran Edward Buchanan and others. They also launched the Doofer Street Market, a pop-up event showcasing street culture. These new formats aim to showcase a variety of aesthetics and design practices, reflecting Berlin's rebellious and political nature.
Trends to note: Designers experimented with shirting and intricate details. John Lawrence Sullivan presented sharp tailoring with mesh chainmail layers and leather gloves. Marke's show featured ties made from shirt sleeves, symbolizing 'strangulation by capitalism'. Kasia Kucharska's collection included modular shirts inspired by motherhood, and Balletshofer balanced tailoring with sportswear, focusing on construction that molds to the body.
Designers comment on privacy, identity, and political tensions: Berlin brands often address political and social issues. Designers explored privacy, identity, and visibility in the social media age. Marke's collection was inspired by online hatred and misinformation, while Balletshofer presented a film about self-image. Andrej Gronau's collection, titled Döppleganger, referenced history repeating itself, inspired by 1980s Berlin's freedom and values. BFW is seen as a platform for creativity and a reflection of Berlin's spirit, which can help fashion reinvent itself after periods of slow consumption and retail fatigue.
