Berlin is not Paris, London, or Milan. But that’s fine: Berlin has its own distinct style. Our favourite finds of the week disregard gender norms and prejudice.
Genderless footwear
For women* only? That’s over. Viennese shoe designer Rani Bageria’s slippers in the colours black and chestnut (350 €) and the black ankle boot „Trio“ (starting at 495€) are now genderless and come in sizes up to 45. Try them on for comfort in their showroom in Wedding – by popular demand and by appointment only.
Address: Barfussstraße 8, Wedding | call for appointments: +43 650 8707668 or email: [email protected]
Directions: U-Bahn station Rehberge
Regional design
The exhibition „Echt“ („Real“ in English) showcases designers from the (extended) neighbourhood, asking: Is there a special Berlin design style? The pieces in the exhibition are almost entirely plastic-free, regional, mostly handmade, and always very creative. Some of the designers included in the exhibition are bag designer Silvia Weger, ceramicist Lars Kanter, textile artist Stefan Reinberger, and jewellery designer Rainer Wiencke.
Address: „Echt“ at KühlhausBerlin, Luckenwalder Straße 3, Kreuzberg | 5th-7th April, Fri 11am-5pm, Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 10am-6pm, free entry
Directions: U-Bahn station Mendelssohn-Bartholdy-Park
Contemporary arts & crafts
They build harmonic violins, sew custom clothing, forge intricate iron fences, or sculpt unique plates and dinnerware: artisans keep centuries-old professions and crafts alive, while slowly modernising the traditions, for example with more and more women* and non-binary people taking over traditionally ‚male‘ professions. During the European Craft Days festival (Europäische Tage des Kunsthandwerks) this weekend, initiated in 2002 by the French ministry for crafts, artisans open their studios and shops all over Berlin to the public.
Designerwear for everyone
For the fifth time, fashion Designer Thoas Lindner hosts the „Make Love Great Again Designer Sale“ with fashion from his own brand The Tribe, but also 50 other Berlin-based designers and shops, some well-known, some just starting out. Expect lots of unisex designerwear for all budgets to really get that Berlin style.
Address: Säälchen, Holzmarktstraße 25, Friedrichshain | 5th-7th April, Fri 5pm-11.30pm, Sat+Sun 12pm-8pm
Directions: S- and U-Bahn station Jannowitzbrücke
New lines
Only for men? Not anymore. Hannes Rœther is well known for his uncomplicated and long-lasting pieces, but now the label have expanded their line to include pieces for women*, too. The new dedicated shop in an old launderette with its historical lights and exposed red brickwork is worth a visit in itself. Rough and delicate.
Address: Torstraße 109, Mitte | Mon-Sat 11am-7pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Rosenthaler Platz
