From Germany to Seoul and Tokyo

With the expansion of the Berlin Fashion X International project to the Korean market, Fashion Council Germany, in partnership with the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, is stepping up its activities to open up international markets for up-and-coming fashion and accessories designers. In addition to the already announced delegation trip to Seoul, South Korea, a trip to Tokyo, Japan will now also take place from November 3 to 7. The initiative aims to facilitate participating brands’ access to international markets. It also aims to sustainably strengthen the visibility and export capability of Berlin fashion brands.

The expansion into the Asian market is an important step towards internationalisation. Tokyo and Seoul have been among the most relevant Asian cities in the fashion sector for several years. They are establishing themselves as international fashion capitals. Fashion Council Germany is building on existing relationships with South Korea and Japan. These were established in the past through the increasing success of Berlin Fashion Week. The growing interest of the Japanese market in German brands was a particular motivation for expanding the project to Tokyo.

Building on this positive momentum, an exploratory trip will be carried out in August to gain further partners, potential showroom locations and strategic cooperation opportunities for the project on site. The delegation will then travel to Japan at the beginning of November. The exact dates will be announced soon. Interested designers and brands can apply to participate via the following link until August 17. The final participants will then be selected from all submissions.

In parallel, preparations for the delegation trip to Seoul, which will take place from September one to five, are entering the final phase. The following 12 brands will be part of the delegation: Balletshofer; Clara Colette Miramon; Danny Reinke; Dawn Denim; Gerrit Jacob; Haderlump Atelier Berlin; Isabella Rudzki; Lueder; Richert Beil; Sia Arnika; Unvain Studios; and William Fan.

A particular highlight of the trip will be the showroom in cooperation with MCM. This will allow the designers to present their collections to a broad audience of buyers, press, stakeholders and talents from the Korean fashion scene. In addition to the showroom, the delegation – accompanied by Michael Biel, Berlin State Secretary for Economics – will have the opportunity to visit selected retail spaces, local fashion brands, sales agencies and press representatives. The participants will thus not only gain access to important industry contacts, but also sustainable impulses for innovation, positioning and the international expansion of their brand.