The Best Runways at Berlin Fashion Week SS26

In Berlin, there’s an abundance of creative design talent, and the fervor for its bi-annual fashion week is palpable. Every February and June, a diverse group consisting of international editors, journalists, stylists, buyers, influencers, and celebrities gather in the city to behold the grand visions of Berlin’s leading designers. These presentations consistently surpass their predecessors in innovation and impact.

A diverse range of designers such as GmbH and David Koma, Ottolinger and HADERLUMP showcased their unique visions during the recent Berlin Fashion Week. The event concluded at the end of last week. Although their styles differ greatly, they all demonstrate a powerful point of view.

Below, see the best shows from the affair.

David Koma

Sun’s out, toes out—or so that seems to be the new rule across the men’s Spring 2026 runways.

At Berlin Fashion Week, designer David Koma debuted his first-ever menswear collection, showcasing shoes that allowed the models to walk with their toes free. In total, 33 outfits were displayed, featuring dogs wandering casually among them. These ensembles drew inspiration from three different Davids: soccer star David Beckham, Michelangelo’s renowned statue of David, and the designer himself.

Entitled “I LOVE DAVID,” this collection was heavily influenced by David Beckham’s fashion style at the turn of the millennium, particularly referencing his iconic “I KISS FOOTBALL” jersey. It also drew inspiration from Michelangelo’s artistic mastery, as seen in the formalwear’s flowing drapery, and incorporated elements of Marios Schwab’s signature designs, such as crystal garters and traditional tailoring.

Incorporating significant cultural and historical symbols, the design remained fashionably approachable, possibly due to its accessibility – a trait that might have stemmed from Koma identifying with the consumer who would purchase and don these garments.

In an interview backstage, Koma expressed that this collection was particularly intimate for him as he assumed multiple roles – serving as inspiration, creator, and buyer.

GmbH

During the third evening of Berlin Fashion Week, GmbH’s Spring 2026 presentation took on a powerful, moving, and authentic tone, entitled “An Imitation of Life.

In my gaming perspective, designers Benjamin Huseby and Serhat Işik’s recent declaration echoes a global sentiment. “The harshness of the world has torn us away from it,” they penned in their show notes. “We’ve lost touch with our actions and emotions.

This assembly, in contrast, wasn’t prompted by the mentioned brutality or devastation. Instead, it mirrored the experience of laboring and surviving during an era marked by the worst manifestations of terror and ethical decay, with the hope of emerging from such a period still possessing humanity.

In this endeavor, the designers drew inspiration from their own childhood memories, revisited family videos, and studied ancient coming-of-age rituals to conjure a collection that carried an optimistic tone for the future. Yet, they grappled with a poignant dilemma: “How can one recall one’s childhood without experiencing a sense of sorrow?

Richert Beil

Richert Beil’s Spring 2026 show marked a return to intention.

Entitled “Environmental Protection,” this collection was assembled during the transition period when founders Jale Richert and Michele Beil were relocating from their previous office to a new studio – a 135-year-old pharmacy right in the heart of Kreuzberg, an area now recognized for its thriving art community.

During this current season, Richert Beil sought to contemplate themes such as “initiations and conclusions, changes, and the accountability that comes with creating something significant.” This is according to the perspectives shared by the designers.

The outcomes showcased a blend of intimacy and structure, along with an unusual edge of peculiarity and eccentricity. Floral patterns were recurrent throughout the collection, resembling tapestry on roomy jackets and bouquets on cozy turtlenecks, symbolizing the continuous cycle of growth and decay. Simultaneously, conventional designs underwent modern makeovers, such as latex lederhosen paired with playful bowties or suspenders adorned with witty bowtie knots.

SF1OG

At a bustling construction site near Berlin’s Kurfürstendamm in 2026, SF1OG’s Spring collection navigated a precarious tightrope, showcasing both an intense yearning and emotional deterioration. Skillfully, creative director Rosa Dahl depicted the aftermath of overwhelming love, yet framed it within the context of a teenage fantasy.

The models gracefully moved among a canopy of fabric columns hanging overhead, creating an enclosed atmosphere that seemed even narrower when paired with Gavriel August’s heart-pounding music and the raw, unfinished ambiance of the venue.

In their style, there was a yearning for the spirit of youth, spontaneity, and confusion. Flared sequin capes were teamed with low-waist pants, while see-through long-sleeved tops harmoniously matched both tight and loose trousers. On the other hand, SF1OG’s preference for traditional artistry – intricate lacework, corsetry, and frayed details – stood out remarkably on ancient fabrics such as old wools, leathers, and silks.

In this setting, Dahl aimed to reflect our own turbulent, unpredictable periods – the conflicting stages experienced during adolescence and beyond, which collectively shape our identities. Furthermore, SF1OG accurately captured this essence, as if aiming arrows at models’ heads wasn’t convincing enough.

Ottolinger

Christa Bösch and Cosima Gadient, designers at Ottolinger, showcased their debut show in Berlin this season to mark the 10th anniversary of their label. The event took place at the Palais am Funktrum, their runway, which was themed “Heidi.” This showcase featured strong and empowering outfits that told a story about being an older sibling.

The brand expressed, in its show notes, that being the older, cooler sibling isn’t about being flawless; rather, it’s about having experienced deep love and tough falls, learning to rise again, and demonstrating resilience in a way that inspires others to do the same. She was the one who initially challenged the rules, so you wouldn’t feel apprehensive about doing the same.

As you can imagine, the result looked fearless.

HADERLUMP

The Spring 2026 collection by Haderlump Atelier emphasized creativity and possession, as evidenced by the large heaps of written and autographed text serving as the backdrop for Johann Ehrhardt’s recent declaration.

The title “Exlibro,” meaning “from the books” in Latin, symbolically refers to the small nameplates found inside old books that served as identification. These miniature artworks often featured mottos, coats of arms, or mythological figures, subtly stating “This book is mine” and providing a glimpse into the owner’s identity.

HADERLUMP’s fashion collection emphasized this idea, adorning its intellectual muses in formidable and evocative shapes reminiscent of ancient bookplates. As a result, powerful coats with broad shoulders and sleek bombers took center stage, conveying authority, while voluminous skirts billowed from the waist like turning pages in a book.

The designs were meant to resemble unique, personal items, and it’s quite likely that you would find several of them showcased in a future exhibition.

PALMWINE IceCREAM

PALMWINE IceCREAM’s Spring 2026 collection, “MUSE,” was a masterful presentation of bursting color.

Connecting the two cities that served as his homes – London and Accra – Kusi Kubi, the label’s founder and designer, drew inspiration from the powerful women in his life and their impact on both his artistic endeavors and community involvement. In a vibrant tribute to femininity, the collection showcased its naturally dyed leathers, organza, mesh, and recycled textiles, amplifying the gender-neutral line’s visibility to its fullest potential.

In Northern Ghana, it’s the local leather that takes center stage, using traditional techniques like tree bark dyeing under the sun for coloration. Meanwhile, in other regions, artisans craft boots adorned with giraffe patterns, achieved through hand-painting, and bags made intricate with calabash shell embellishments.

2025-07-07 03:26