Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Berlin
July 4th, 2009
Hotel de Rome, Mitte
Words, Images Judith Eocchard
One of the many reasons we love Berlin…and the Fashion Week that’s a bi-annual gig…is that Germans GET the importance of the “creative industries” and the “culturally economy.” And the financial one, we might add.
That’s why this fab city goes all out for attendees who descend on this great metropolis for the dynamic convergence of runway and tradeshows…and exhibits, openings, etc.
We saw the Mayor several times, dapper in his suit...and it was toasty over there…without the American style A/C blasting away.
There were German celebs galore...not that we knew who they were…and some international personalities like Justin Timberlake, Diane Kruger and Sienna Miller.
Helping to keep Germany as a draw for young talent is the createeurope: The Fashion Academy Award --- sponsored by the Goethe-Institut and EUNIC (Association of the European Institutes for Culture)…to further German and international fashion designers. There’s an age limit of 32 for this year's over 1000 applicants---with 30 finalists selected.
The grand finale, a catwalk show with six outfits per…is scheduled for October 2009.
There was a press conference…in German. Duh. But we got the 411 that the award is particularly critical for young talent in times of financial crisis...and how important the creative process and innovation truly is---to the biz.
ADDED PLUS: Designer Dirk Schönberger, Creative Director of Joop is the “patron saint.”
INFO: createEUROPE
Friday, July 17, 2009
createeurope: THE FASHION ACADEMY AWARD
STARSTYLING: S/S 2010 and SCHOLL Collaboration
Bebelplatz, Mitte
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Berlin
July 4th 2009
We missed the Starstyling runway show…but love the “quirky” images we were sent.
Reading up on the label ---we learned that the offbeat fashion sense is deliberate…and ironically so. Founders Katja Schlegel and Kai Seifried are Berlin based and clearly like to have fun, attire wise…
Starstyling reminds of us the Italian line Mossimo…with its playful use of text and funky graphics.
Our top look from this line however…are the vintage inspired sandals…a collaboration with Scholl.
Awesome.
INFO: STARSTYLING
GURU: LIFESTYLE BRAND DEBUTS S/S 2010- BREAD & BUTTER, BERLIN
Tempelhof Airport, Berlin
July 1st, 2009
Words, Images Judith Ecochard
and from the company website
GURU is a hip lifestyle/clothing brand …born in Italy…and now owned by the MASSIVE Bombay Rayon Fashion Ltd. of India (April 2008).
What got us interested was the quality of the clothes…and there are over 350 SKUs available. Wow.Gian Maria Montacchini, the brains behind Guru's daisy logo, has returned as "fashion coordinator" according to the press material we got. 
And apparently this "up market" brand is well known in Europe...as there are 15 stores and 9 franchises across the Pond.
There’s a surfer/rocker vibe going on with the sporty collection (50's graphics too). Also the "Logo Life" and "Work" collections of streetwear…have great details (contrast collars), unusual finishes, spot on styling, and top end fabrics (especially the knitwear) in terrif colors and patterns. 
Other lines are coined “Riviera” and "Biarritz" that’s a “cleaner look..no logo” that are inspired by "60's playboy..."and designed by hand in shades like ice blue, purple, carrot, cream, coral and blueberry.
Hilariously, we thought…but SO SMART…Guru nabbed the Taxi Driver (1976) movie license and has a line of kinda military punk, edgy clothing. This being a global brand…we can see hordes of guys in SE Asia loving it.
Who would have thought the De Niro character- Travis Bickle -aa fashion trend-setter? But the tagline…”You Lookin’ At Me?----clearly foreshadow.
We got to take some pics of the Spring 2010…and grabbed some images from the company website.
INFO: BOMBAY RAYON FASHIONS LTD
GURU
NIVEA BODY: GOOD-BYE CELLULITE
Patches, Gel-Cream, Supplements--- with L-Carnitine
Cellulite, the wrinkling cottage cheese looking kind on the back of thighs, tummies, arms…is often the subject of those glossy reads that we pick up as we wait to check out of our local Stop N Shop…the ones with blaring headlines courtesy of some paparazzi photo of an unsuspecting celeb type.
We’re not famous, so no worries of TMZ slams. But we were curious as to whether Nivea’s Good-bye Cellulite regimen, an affordable alternative to pricey laser treatments, makes a difference.
We started with the gel-cream, applying the lotion on the back of our legs. The cream sinks in fast, is not sticky (YES)…and is as easy to use as a moisturizer. We used it once a day…after our shower…but Good-bye Cellulite can be used 2x a day too.
We don’t know if the tightening effect is permanent…but it def made our skin look smoother to our eyeballs.
Nivea touts L-Carnitine as the “it” ingredient that “helps reduce the appearance of cellulite.”
We know L-C as a supplement… it purportedly helps burn unwanted body fat. Makes sense to us that it might work topically too, as the skin absorbs practically everything one slathers on it.
Nivea sells Good-bye Cellulite Patches too…for “maximum results”---just slap’em on.
Conveniently, there’s a combo 30-Day Body Beauty Program that includes the Good-bye Cellulite Gel-Cream (6.7 oz) and a Dietary Supplement with the aforementioned L-Carnitine and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)… a fatty acid that according to Wikipedia…is known for it’s anti-cancer fighting properties and may help reduce body fat.
There’s a reason Nivea is one of those most respected body/skin care companies in the world…those Europeans always seem to get that stuff right.
We think the Good-bye Cellulite regimen is worth the $...online, we found the gel going for $9.99, the patches for $26.10 (per pack) and the 30 Day Combo going for $16.49 on Amazon.
BTW: Company has been around since 1911! And there's a Bikini Challenge going on!
INFO: NIVEA
Thursday, July 16, 2009
SELVE SHOES: SPRING 2010
“THE LUXURY SHOE INDIVIDUALIZER”
Hotel Rome, Mitte
Berlin Fashion Week
July 3rd, 2009
Words, Images Judith Eocchard and Images Courtesy of Selve.
Customized shoes where the client can select the styles, heels and materials are an affordable luxury (300-400 Euros)…as we discovered.
The stately Hotel Rome, just across the street from the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Tent…was an elegant setting where the eight years old collection of Selve (pronounced sell-vay) Shoes…a Munich based company…was staged for fashion show attendees.
We met the founder Claudia Kieserling, who clued us in as to what her brand brings to the market…in a three week turnaround from scanning by state of the art Voram scanning technology, to order placed… to finished product.
First off, available in a wide range of sizes and widths, Selve shoes and a few handbag options, come in dozens of on trend styles for men and women…
Like chic peep toes, strappy sandals, pumps adorned with various magnetic clips, ankle booties, and our top pick-
over the knee boots for gals…all anointed with female names.
Snazzy golf shoes for men that come with footbed support and moisture wicking silver tech. lining had us wanting a pair. 
Cool added touch…depending on if the golfer’s a lefty or a righty, the inlays are unique to give the best support…and waterproof.
Over 100 different types of leathers in all shades and types are (embossed, metallic, suede, calf leathers etc.) offered…with seemingly endless mix/match capabilities for uppers, second uppers, linings, outsoles and heel selections.
Every season, fresh styles are introduced …and the classics are spiced up with new color options.
We can see how bridal parties gravitate towards this collection.
INFO: SELVE
BREAD & BUTTER, BERLIN Spring 2010
The ENTRANCE
SOME PICS WE COULD TAKE
A Wrangler Rider
A Shot Of The Space
Relaxing on the Runway
Swarovski Crystal Arts and Crafts
Acting Berlin Mayor KLAUS WOWEREIT Keeps His Cool At G-Star With B&B's HEINZ MULLER
READY
The Closest We Got
To Justin Timberlake At William Rast
G STAR RAW SPRING 2010
Bread & Butter, Berlin
Airport Tempelhof
July 1st, 2009
Words, Images Judith Ecochard
G-Star RAW, the denim based urban lifestyle brand had a separate tent out on the former runway of Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport where they staged several showings of the Spring 2010 line.
And we bet they were all as packed as our showing was.
Two female harpists plucked away as edgy streetwear and preppy casual looks romped the runway in a well chereographed show...that's always an event.. 
Black, White and a sea blue turquoise are the dominant colors…for the three distinct lines: the Correct Line (hip tailored separates), the Midnight collection (evening appropriate)…and the P.T. Army line---rugged sportswear.
…with a tennis worthy white vest board short length cuts for guys, and cool jeans that fit with a swagger---and with plenty of pocket details, our fav masculine looks.
Gals got rather stylish outfits, including a swing skirt with a short matching jacket, denim minis, vests…that one could wear them work.
But of course, the denim choices were the highlights…
We will more extensively review this collection during New York’s Fashion Week.
INFO: G STAR RAW
