Photo Gallery The Next Paris?
Berlin Fashion Week takes place twice every year. It started back in 2007 and this January marks the sixth event.
A model at the Rena Lange show on Thursday. Even before the shows began there had been criticism of the way the event was developing.
Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit is a big fan of fashion in Berlin. He was very pleased to see streetwear trade fair, Bread & Butter, return to Berlin.
However, the city has recently decided that Berlin Fashion week will no longer be allowed to take place at Bebelplatz, a historic city square where Nazis burned 20,000 books in 1933.
The decision followed criticism that the square was being used for fashion shows. In an open letter, anti-fashionistas argued that the square should "remain free of trivial, mass gatherings."
A dress from the Joop! label on the runway this week. Designer Wolfgang Joop sold the brand in 2001 and now shows his new label, Wunderkind, in Paris. This week he was critical of Berlin Fashion Week, saying that it was turning into a media spectacle, attended by B-list celebrities who were not even interested in fashion.
Top model, Alek Wek, was in Berlin this week to appear in a runway show for German designer Anja Gockel.
Models are made up backstage. Beyond all the hype Berliners may be wondering if the city has the right stuff to become the "next Paris"?
TV host Sabine Christiansen (l) at a runway show on Thursday. When Berlin Fashion Week first started a lot of the most prestigious magazines did not send their editors-in-chief to Berlin for the shows. But now they do.
One of the most senior editors is Christiane Arp, editor-in-chief of German Vogue. Berlin needs to develop its own unique identity, she says.
There are the other trade fairs also taking place in Berlin this week. Including the 5 Elements events for beachwear and lingerie.
Probably the most important trade fair taking place in Berlin this week is Bread & Butter. It can safely be credited with bringing millions of dollars worth of fashion business to the city.
Menswear in Paris: Berlin Fashion Week has some tough competition in terms of scheduling.
There are other fashion weeks happening elswhere in the world. There is one in Hong Kong this week.
And one in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Berlin is competing with both to attract the attention of the same global tastemakers.
