TAKING IT TO THE STREETS OF BERLIN IN INSTRUMENTAL STYLE
Words, Images Judith Ecochard
July 4th 2009, 15:00
Almstadtstr, 3, 10119 Berlin
We arrived at the clean white gallery/boutique of Esther Perbandt, a German designer we reviewed as part of the Berlin Fashion Week S/S ’09…a bit over heated.
A welcome was felt before we even got through the door-as benches were set up offering cold drinks and yummy fresh fruit sorbet cones to fashion types and onlookers alike…
Up the stairs we went---for a quick review of the Spring/Summer 2010 collection, titled “instrumental” --- that employees were wearing…and on racks lining the space. Black, white, tomato red and a terrific bleached black print (“done by hand”) …on well-tailored, modern separates…plus some handbags with bold silver color hardware equaled a smart contemporary lineup.
We loved the intricacy of a fitted blazer- with folds and seams that could/should banish that over-talked boyfriend blazer to the back of one’s closet. Not that that ever caught on in Europe.
An airy cotton tunic with said print had multiple diagonal drapes in the front and back... practical and elegant item…one of those belt it and wear with hosiery and boots, throw over a pair of denim, or wear bare legged with strappy heels--- versatile pieces that work for day or night. Everywhere in the world.
But the best was yet to come.
THE ONLY HORN HONKING WE HEARD IN BERLIN:
Right in the middle of a crowded intersection-and just a short stroll from the boutique…a lively all female brass band, in the tradition of Cabaret…lined up across from the glam models swathed in Perbandt’s S/S 2010 collections.
And then the party started- with the musicians playing lively New Orleans style, swamp boogie tunes, and the well coifed gals joining in with a shout back chorus…bopping away. BRILLIANT!
And talk about traffic stopping. This would never fly in New York…but that is what’s so great about Berlin.
We could really see how the clothes moved on the body…and it made the fashion REAL!
What a great idea.
Some drivers, stuck in their cars--- were not amused. But everyone else got into it…and followed the ensemble down the street where they lined up on a sidewalk…for another catchy sing-a-long.
We had another show to attend…but we know the mass ended up around the corner at the boutique where the party continued.
So Cool!
INFO: ESTHER PERBANDT.
