Berlin fashion week kicks off at Brandenburg gate

Before the big fashion shows in New York and London, Milan and Paris, the 14th Berlin fashion week kicked off the new fashion year here on Tuesday, showcasing designs for the coming autumn and winter.

The biannual fashion event, hosted by Mercedes-Benz, is expected to attract 250,000 people including buyers, industry professionals and numerous fashion enthusiasts to the German capital.

Using soft fabric in black and white interluding claret, sap green and champagne colors, the first runway show was produced by Hien Le, who was nominated as "best newcomer" by a German fashion magazine.

Instead of on the runway, Ivan Mandzukic, a German designer of high class menswear, presented his brand Ivanman in draping clothing design with menswear suits and winter coats by applying warm winter colors on stage.

International designers such as the Austrians Lena Hoschek and Rebekka Ruetz as well as Alena Akhmadullina from Russia showed their new collections on the runway in front of the Brandenburg gate.

Over the next three days, famous local designers such as Anja Gockel and Guido Maria, as well as famous labels like Schumacher, Lala Berlin and Kaviar Gauche will also present their new collections.

Besides the traditional runway shows at the Brandenburg gate, over 20 individual exhibitions with different profiles, showrooms and events will take place in more than 50 places in Berlin from Jan. 14 to 17.