Drykorn (Berlin, Germany)

Very practical: the storefront is equipped with a 'bored boyfriend/husband' bench.

I recently posted about Reiss as an example of how the middle road between designer luxury and cheap high street stores was a great alternative. The majority of the retail chains I've featured on this blog actually belong to the same premium high street category, mainly because they're everywhere and a lot more interesting to blog about than H&M. France has a ton of good local brands (anything from APC to Manoush), as does the UK (All Saints, Jigsaw etc.). Germany? Not so much. I already complained about the fact that a country with such an economic power hasn't really produced a whole lot of well-known fashion heroes, although the selection of indie designers is pretty amazing. The majority of the retail chains you'll find here tend to include the typical imports from Spain, France or Italy, which pretty much sucks if you want to find a good quality souvenir you'll have a hard time getting elsewhere. Closed, was one of the few German labels I was aware of and thanks to the lovely Sofie, who provided me with a long list of Berlin hotspots, I found out that premium retailer Drykorn had its one and only flagship here as well.

Love this campaign... the FW09 lookbook (images: Drykorn).

Drykorn was a brand I was well aware of, yet unfortunately when I lived in Germany (as a student), the pieces were a little out of my price range and at the time, I was more interested in looking trendy than purchasing well-made classics. Back in 1996 Marco Götz founded Drykorn in his native Würzburg (South Germany), where he took over an old workshop specializing in the tailoring of trousers. Initially these were the only items the company produced - with only two ranges of trousers, he'd travel from one boutique to the next, trying to sell his creations. After some initial success, he soon began to add more pieces to the collection - first jackets, then coats, and later on knits, dresses and skirts. The brand now has over 900 stockists worldwide and is a regular at Bread & Butter. Even though the focus lies on country sportswear chic, the impeccably made pieces are anything but boring. Like most premium retailers, the label has mastered the art of picking the more timeless trends to create the perfect balance between classic and edgy. And I must say that the current campaign is probably one of the best I've seen so far... a perfect representation of how investment pieces can look modern and stylish.

The entrance area of the store, which included a lot of plaid and some cute tees.

The heart of the store consisted of three parallel racks suspended from the ceiling (left) and goodies such as the faux fur jackets (right).

The flagship in Berlin is actually split into two separate stores: one for the guys and one for the ladies. I only poked my head in the men's store for a second, hence the lack of pics here, but I found plenty in the women's section. Having spent an afternoon in Wunderkind, then two concept stores and a few indie boutiques - all in which I was either the only customer or one of three at most - it was quite refreshing to enter a store that was buzzing with people. The store layout might not seem that exciting, because it is kept rather simple, but I really loved the functional way the clothes were displayed. Near the entrance, racks were positioned along the wall. This is where most of the key FW09 items could be found (i.e. those featured in the campaign). Those who are intent on browsing a bit more should head towards the back, where three racks running parallel to each other are suspended from the ceiling, allowing you to pretty much check out the entire stock without having to dart from one corner to another.

Overview of the boutique from the back (left) and a very cool biker jacket with a tartan lining (right).

So many belts... and a very stylish knit cardigan (left). One of the SAs was wearing a cute tartan dress I fell in love with (right).

The current season's theme is 'English Countryside meets Streets of London', which explains the abundance of plaid items (you can even get an entire tartan suit if you want), tweed and pinstripes. As the title suggests though, it's more about the fusion of British aristocratic upper class style with a more rugged working class vibe, rather than just a typical Brit-inspired collection. All of this came with a slight retro edge inspired by the 70s, giving the entire range both a timeless and charming look. As with any brand, you're not really meant to wear the label's pieces head-to-toe and most things you'll find here can be integrated into any wardrobe without much difficulty. The fur-lined jackets and fur vests were very on-trend but could easily last beyond a few seasons and the leather jackets (lined in tartan print of course) had the cool rock look that never really goes out of style.

The spacious changing rooms adorned with pics from the campaign (left). More tweed and plaid... (right).

Cash desk and view of the back of the store (left). For something cosy, grab a knit sweater from the shelf (right).

Denim was everywhere as well, whether it's the jackets, skirts or shirts and the usual staples ranging from classic trench coats to military wool jackets had an entire rack of their own. For a more romantic look, there was also a selection of floaty silk evening dresses, ruffled floral blouses or entire shelves filled with soft cashmere knits. And don't forget the funky t-shirts if you do need something to pair the blazer or leather jacket with. Basically there should be something to suit every look here, especially as the consumers in the store seemed to cover every category from punk rock artist to sophisticated business woman.

Overview of the men's flagship, which has pretty much the same layout as the women's boutique.

Definitely worth a visit if you're ever in town, but with close to a thousand stockists, Drykorn is bound to be available in a store near you - if not, they'll most likely be making their way to your city soon...

FW09 runway looks (images: Drykorn).

Address: Neue Schönhauser Straße 6 & 14, 10178 Berlin
Opening Hrs: Mon-Fri: 12:00-20:00, Sat: 12:00-19:00
Drykorn Homepage

Starstyling (Berlin, Germany)

I remember once browsing Topshop in London's Oxford Circus and coming across a neon-colored tunic with little colorful pom-poms attached to the hem. My first thought was "ahh, gotta love the crazy London fashion sense". Well, it turns it this wasn't actually anything remotely local, but upon closer inspection, the brand behind the multi-colored creation was Starstyling - a German brand based in Berlin. Of course London tends to be the perfect place to market anything remotely different or eccentric, which is probably why I had completely forgotten about Starstyling until my recent trip to the German capital.

A selection from the FW09 lookbook (individual images: Starstyling).

Starstyling was founded in early 2000 by designer Katja Schlegel and her husband Kai Seifried with the aim of creating something that wasn't about fashion, but "dedicated to critical reflections... and visual reflections of trends and society in general". The brand profile goes on to state that the label is about "mocking fashion's strict aesthetics, it emphasizes its volatility instead, resulting in a colorful signature of revolt and play". If you have no idea what any of that means, it basically boils down to a brand that pokes fun at current trends (the name 'Starstyling' itself should be taken with a bit of irony), doesn't take itself too seriously, is quirky, creative and above all, features pieces that are as individual as the people who wear them.

Talk about jungle fever... overview of the store with an image of the designers on the wall (top), some sparkly totes (left) and a range of graphic printed tees (right).

The store wasn't one I had planned on visiting, but on my way to Lala Berlin, I passed the boutique window and caught a glimpse of what resembled a greenhouse. I did a double-take, slightly confused by the fact the windows were full of bright scarves, bags and urban chic clothes, yet the interior seemed to resemble a jungle. Of course I had to go in, and what greeted me were big leafy plants... lots of them. The floors were green as well, which supported the whole nature vibe going on, but the walls and shelves were decorated in silver metallic foil. I imagine this is what it would look like if aliens ever decided to plant a garden in their spaceship.

More tees, scarves and other accessories displayed on shiny silver shelves.

Now I know I've mentioned in a previous tag that neon colors aren't necessarily my thing, but despite the fact that Starstyling likes to play with color accents - the brighter the better - I must confess I loved a lot of their clothes and accessories. The catalog and runway looks are styled in such a way that would make most people wonder when on earth they'd get a chance to wear something like that, but everything is surprisingly wearable. And while I actually thought this brand was about streetwear, the looks are quite modern and very much about chic, slightly avant-garde designs.

Several smaller tables featured jewelry and other cute items, such as these buttons.

The current collection titled "die Kunst" (the art), features a lot of blue metallic leggings and tops (even for men), plenty of glittery accessories, including corset belts (again, men are supposed to wear these as well), but also a large number of comfy chunky knits, graphic tees and loose-fitted shirt dresses. The detailing is impeccable - and slightly bizarre at times: graphic tees are embroidered or printed, some accessories, such as the fabric brooches, are made of vintage tablecloths or socks, while confetti elements on bags or scarves are constructed out of recycled pages from Vogue Italia. The majority of the clothing is made of pure cotton, to allow for a higher comfort and a more liberal silhouette.

Chunky knits on the shelves and more towards the back hanging from racks (left) and quirky pom-pom scarves (right).

Starstyling also made it's first runway debut during this year's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, presenting its SS10 collection. The range, titled "Hokus Fokus", featured pieces that included detachable accessories and elements, such as shoulder pads, sleeves or pockets, which allowed wearers to construct or deconstruct an outfit, instantly transforming a more sporty look into an elegant ensemble. The key is playfulness combined with functionality and contrasts such as matte versus shiny fabrics or simple cuts partnered with elaborate embellishments not only stand for great quality or unique designs, but also showcase the designers' sense of humor.

Masks and funky slippers were available as well...

A lot of what might be considered 'props' from the runway show, such as theatrical masks or crazy hats, were all for sale in the boutique. I saw a lot of glitter and color, but there were also entire racks full of simpler neutral-colored knit dresses or stylish black coats. The entire futuristic garden setting made the shopping experience quite a fun one, especially when I unintentionally ended up playing a game of hide-and-seek with the SA, who was desperately trying to locate me, while I was standing behind a giant fern looking at a shiny tote.

A knit sweater featuring hand-stitched silver tinsel (left).

Starstyling is available in quite a number of boutiques all over the world now, including the aforementioned Topshop or Colette in Paris. For those nowhere near a stockist, don't worry - they also have their own online store which ships worldwide, so take a browse if you get the chance.

SS10 runway looks (images: Starstyling, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week).

Address: Mulackstraße 4, 10119 Berlin
Opening Hrs: Mon-Fri: 12:00-19:00, Sat: 12:00-18:00
Starstyling Homepage and Online Shop

Lala Berlin (Berlin, Germany)

I already posted about one store from my recent trip to Berlin and I have a few more I'd like to share, as proof that there is a lot of creative talent to be found in the German capital. As mentioned previously, most of these designers aren't necessarily internationally renowned, but the beauty of going to places like Berlin, Stockholm or Barcelona is discovering the local up-and-coming designers. Lala Berlin is pretty much 'up' already. Back when I still lived in Germany, this label was already getting plenty of media attention and a celebrity following. Unfortunately at the time there were only few stores that carried the brand and the label didn't have its own flagship yet.

A selection from the 2009 lookbook (images: Lala Berlin).

A lot has changed since then. The brand, who's name is derived from designer and founder Leyla Piedayesh's nickname, was created in 2003 by the former MTV VJ (she hosted their Designerama fashion programme) after a pair of hand-knitted wrist warmers she came across while browsing a flea market inspired her to start her own line of knits. She presented her first collection of knitwear in 2004 and the chic yet casual looks instantly became popular. These days, the high-end knits, made of quality wool and cashmere, along with her fine silk and soft cotton creations are typical elements of her seasonal collections. The colorful patterned cashmere scarves are a big hit as well and her celebrity following includes everyone from Claudia Schiffer or Lou Dillon to Misha Barton. Thankfully Lala Berlin is now stocked in well over 60 retail outlets around the world and since 2006 fans can also peruse these items in the label's only flagship in Berlin.

A great selection of scarves towards the entrance (left) and more jewelry & clothing near the shelves (right).

Views of the store windows from the inside. Loved the cute props and the red chiffon dress.

This was my first visit to the brand's own store and the one thing I've noticed about indie designers is that they tend to choose two distinct routes when it comes to designing their own boutique: there's either the cool, spartan and high-tech look or the loft-like, rustic decor which usually includes a fair amount of exposed brick walls and wooden floorboards. Lala Berlin is more unique than that and Piedayesh has been quoted as saying that her clothing isn't just defined by luxury but also by a sense of well being - the kind you get when snuggling up in a soft wool cardigan. The boutique reflects this as well: you'll see elements of luxury, such as the chandeliers or the sleek cash desk. But you'll also discover plenty of unique decor items, such as the white-washed wooden furniture and old-fashioned chairs, which give the interior a distinctly cosy and charming atmosphere - one that makes you want to hang around a bit longer.

Some of the necklaces I found. This was one of my favorite displays.

The first pieces I was drawn to when entering the store, was the small selection of jewelry hanging by the entrance wall. Most of these items consisted of delicate golden necklaces, although I later also found some funkier leather and silver pieces near the cash desk. The other thing I couldn't help noticing were the large number of cashmere scarves - many of them were hanging by another wall and plenty more could be found on shelves and in larger cabinets.

Some of the darker FW09 knits hanging by a brick wall partition.

More knitwear and silk items in a separate room. The ultra-glam mannequin head added a nice touch.

As expected, I found a lot of beautiful knitwear. Lala likes to emphasize that the quality of the fabric is of utmost importance to her, as is the way in which each garment is constructed. The FW09 collection was already out and if I had had a little more spending money , I would have happily bought some of the chunky cardigans and patchwork sweaters. I would have also gladly taken a few of the lovely scarves. In addition to the wool and cashmere pieces, there were plenty of floaty colorful chiffon items to choose from as well. These could be found in a separate room towards the left, which is where I also find a très chic mannequin head.

The little alcove (left) turned out to be a resting area, while the one on the right was the actual changing room.

I disocvered two more rooms, which housed odd props and mirrors.

My favorite discoveries though, were the small alcoves within the store, separated either by white wooden doors or brick walls. At first I mistook these for changing rooms, but they turned out to be either resting areas or merely served as decoration. It definitely made browsing here more interesting and more comparable to snooping around someone's very well-stocked house, rather than just shopping in another boutique.

So many scarves... and they were all incredible. I didn't know where to start...

The more rocker-chic jewelry could be found near the cash desk.

The two staff members I encountered were very kind and helpful, which just made the overall shopping experience that more enjoyable. If you don't get the chance to visit the boutique, I would still urge you to take a closer look at this brand, which will most likely get bigger and more popular in the near future. The FW09 and SS10 collections, which were presented during Berlin Fashion Week, both received much critical acclaim, so check out the stockists (on the official homepage), most of which can be found in Europe and the US. A smaller selection is available online as well, via Quartier Deluxe, Browns Fashion or Revolve Clothing.

FW09 RTW collection (images: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week).

SS10 RTW collection.

Address: Mulackstraße 7, 10119 Berlin
Opening Hrs: Mon-Fri: 12:00-20:00, Sat: 12:00-18:00
Lala Berlin Homepage

Wunderkind (Berlin, Germany)

I know I haven't been posting as regularly as I could and it's not about to get better, because I'm leaving for yet another destination tomorrow and this time it's a real vacation, i.e. posting will be very light (I have no idea if I'm getting Internet access). The good thing is that Haute World will finally be taking you to a country outside Europe. Until then, I thought I'd present at least one store I visited while I was in Berlin (there are still plenty to come).

The thing that always irritated me a little about Germany was the fact that it's the third largest economy in the world (following the U.S. and Japan), yet when it comes to global acclaim in fashion design, they always seemed a little behind... at least compared to other nations - such as the two I just mentioned as well as the UK, Italy, France or even Belgium. Germany has given us everything from luxury cars to cool sports brands to Helmut Newton or Marlene Dietrich, so it's not like there's a lack of creativity there. And with many talented German indie designers popping up, there's thankfully a new movement of fashion innovators streaming from the country. But it's still not necessarily the country you think of when it comes to big-name designers. There are three exceptions, the two biggest being Karl Lagerfeld and Jil Sander, both hailing from the beautiful (and my favorite) city of Hamburg. The third is Wolfang Joop, a designer who is pretty much as legendary as the other two in his home country, but slightly overshadowed by them in an international context.

Wunderkind's SS09 campaign.

Joop, a native of Potsam (a city neighboring Berlin), first rose to fame when he created his namesake label JOOP! which specialized in women's and men's ready-to-wear. Later on, when the name became available for licensing, it was primarily associated with fragrances, as well as jewelry and other accessories. Selling all his own shares of the company between 1998-2001, Joop removed himself from the brand he conceived and created a new label called Wunderkind in 1997. The brand name, which means 'child prodigy', was deliberately chosen by Joop, because it's one of the few German words that's understood universally without translation (much like 'Schadenfreude', which is probably less suitable as a label name). While JOOP! featured mainly sophisticated, minimalist and very grown-up looks, he wanted Wunderkind to have a more youthful, fun and playful edge, but at the same time retained a mix of tailored, fluid feminine and luxurious elements. First unveiled during NY Fashion Week in 2004, the collections have now moved to the Paris shows, where they are presented each season.

The first artworks I sighted near the entrance.

Even though the label has become fairly successful and popular, Wunderkind might still be hard to find in retail spaces around the world, which makes visiting the main flagship in Berlin a real treat (and a must, if you love beautifully crafted clothes). The first thing that came to mind, when I stepped into the sleek boutique, was 'art gallery', and unlike other stores, which remind me of one as well, it wasn't just the clean interiors and simple decor, but the fact that entire walls featured nothing but framed pieces of art. The current FW09 collection is primarily inspired by the colorful shapes of Russian abstract artist Kazimir Malevich's pieces, as well as the black and white nature photography of Gregor Törzs. Prints of these works (most of them by Törzs) hang alongside the clothes, highlighting the source of Joop's inspiration and in some cases the framed prints are available for sale as well.

Part of the window display at the entrance (left) and a range of skincare products (right).

The other thing I couldn't help noticing when I entered, was the huge range of beauty products in a corner towards the entrance. Wunderkind also creates a large number of luxury skincare items, all of which were available in-store. Accessories, such as bags and shoes were laid out as well, most of which reflect the same artworks that also inspired the clothes.

Part of the store as seen from the entrance, incl. some photographs by Törzs (left) and a selection of bags on display (right).

Because I don't often get to see the Wunderkind collection in person, I immediately started perusing the clothes and was not disappointed. Even if you're not into the colorful patterns or the nature-inspired prints, the draping, tailoring and other details such as ruching or pleating of the garments is impeccable. Of course you'll also find a large number of classic items, such as sharp-shouldered black coats and dresses featuring the more masculine look that made Joop famous. The store was completely empty on a Saturday, which isn't uncommon in German luxury stores (some may remember I had a similar experience when I visited the Jil Sander boutique), but there were only two SAs present and because upbeat music was playing, the atmosphere didn't seem as chilly as one might think.

Clothes on display...

A few more photographs that inspired the collection (left).

Despite the futuristic touches, such as the small wall lamps, there were also a few cosy elements: the seating area near the changing rooms with it's soft light contained cosy circular couches and was decorated with reproductions of ancient statues.

A few cool wall lamps (left) and the cosy seating area (right).

Besides the clothes and artworks, there's also plenty more to look at. The most obvious prop is the large table in the center that stretches through the entire store. Its glass surface contains sketches, swatches, notes and photos, giving you a glimpse of how the current collection was created from scratch and any other tidbits Joop has decided to share with the consumer. The designer himself is an avid painter, illustrator and writer (his own artworks are currently featured and sold in Lumas), so some of the sketches were pretty impressive.

Overview of the store from the back (left) and the inspirational collage on display (right).

More inspiration...

Currently there are only four Wunderkind boutiques in the world, three of which are in Germany (the fourth can be found in London), giving you the best excuse to drop by if you're ever in Berlin. There are plans of opening up more this year, mainly in the U.S. and Europe. What I loved most about the boutique, was the fact that it gave so much insight as to what inspired the collection, which is rare for a store and something a designer usually reserves for an exhibit. For further inspiration, I would definitely recommend checking out some of Joop's illustrations and paintings as well.

FW09 RTW collection (images: style.com).

A selection of W. Joop's illustrations, including sketches for Wunderkind and color paintings (images: Lumas).

Address: Gendarmenpalais, Markgrafenstraße 42, 10117 Berlin
Opening Hrs: Mon-Fri: 10:00-19:00, Sat: 10:00-18:00
Wunderkind Homepage

Impressions of Berlin (Germany)

Berlin is one of those cities that only gradually grew on me. I remember disliking most of it the first few times I visited. I thought it was too big, rather boring and there was way too much construction going on: Because the Berlin Wall had come down a few years before, they were building like crazy and there wasn't really much to see. Large construction sites and cranes would make it difficult to enjoy tourist attractions such as the Brandenburg Gate or shopping along Friedrichsstrasse. It was only in the last few years I began to truly appreciate what the city has to offer. It's still huge, there's still loads of construction going on, but many of the older buildings have been renovated with new ones popping up, giving the city an eclectic mix of modern and traditional architecture.

Brandenburger Tor.

Berlin is now pretty much the coolest place to be when it comes to Germany. While few would consider Germany (as a whole) to be a primary destination to visit in Europe, the nation's capital usually does top that list and you have streams of tourists going out of their way to stop by the city. It's the media and film capital of the country and is home of the Bread & Butter fashion event. It's also one of the few (if not only places) in the country where most people are capable of speaking English to foreigners and it's become a large melting pot of different cultures and nationalities.

Die Siegessäule.

Of course the one thing that makes Berlin special is it's history. Once divided by the Berlin Wall, it is now a unified city, with the nation celebrating 20 years of unification this November. I would definitely recommend anyone to take the time to visit some of the typical tourist attractions, such as Checkpoint Charlie or the remainder of the wall. And despite the large scale of the city, I would also suggest walking around instead of taking the subway, especially around Berlin Mitte, as you'll get a chance to check out some of the architecture. I tend to forget to take pictures when I'm in Germany, so some of the following photos were taken throughout the last three years...

Reichstag / German Parliament with it's glass dome and spiral interior.

White crosses along the Reichstagsufer commemorate those who were killed while trying to cross the wall to West Berlin.

The Holocaust Memorial consisting of 2711 concrete slabs arranged in a grid across sloping grounds.

High-rises around Potsdamer Platz.

The Spree river heading towards the Museumsufer.

Berliner Dom.

The bear is Berlin's official symbol. Here, an ssortment of 'Buddy Bär's, representing different countries around the world. This exhibit used to be near the Berliner Dom but has since been removed. Other bears can be found around the city.

Inside courtyard 1 of the Hackesche Höfe. This complex houses various restaurants, boutiques and art galleries.

Deutscher Dom am Gendarmenmarkt.

Checkpoint Charlie at the former border between the American and the Soviet sector. Many of the props have been recreated.

A remainder of the Berlin Wall, incl. an exhibit on its history.

A brass marker on a pavement indicating where the wall once stood.