tonight! don't miss out!

the sunny side of life

"We start to party when others go to bed!" a Norwegian tourist proudly proclaimed last weekend, leaning against the bar at Zur Möbelfabrik, sucking on his Vodka Lemon and feeling oh so Berlin. I daresay it's not very unconventional to begin a night by catching the last S-Bahn (during the week) or running into a Kaiser's supermarket just before it closes at 24:00h to stock up on whatever will last you through the night. What many visitors and tourists are unaware of, however, is that here in Berlin we don't wait until the sun goes down to have a good time.

Especially in the summer time, all sorts of festivities and celebrations draw crowds of young and old to the streets of Berlin. The first of May - traditionally a day of street riots and political protests - nowadays also encompasses street fairs and open-air parties all throughout Kreuzberg and the Wrangelkiez. This year, one could enjoy some fine electro tunes in front of Luzia (Oranienstraße) and around the Spreewaldplatz (Görlitzer Park).



Last fall, 350 participants attended an anti-climate change demonstration which doubled as a silent rave party throughout the streets of Berlin-Mitte. While political activism and environmental consciousness stood at the forefront of this event, the tunes of legendary Dr. Motte and Dj Dirty Doehring (Bar 25) caused every electro-loving Berliner's heart to skip a beat.


Among the annual Karneval der Kulturen and Bergmannstraßenfest (which are coming up this and next weekend), there's a bunch of low-key and semi-secret rave parties taking place in and around Berlin all throughout the summer. To figure out the when&where, keep a lookout on the internet (Facebook; Berlin-based blogs such as IHeartBerlin.de) ...or simply ask one of the many hipsters milling around Görlitzer Park ;)

Having said that, I would like add that these parties rarely end when the sun sets... so even if you prefer spending the daytime hours in bed (and can actually afford to do so), you won't miss out!

.HBC Designer Scouts

Berlin Fashion Week is about much more than just the big white tent on Bebelplatz. In fact, a lot of its charm lies in alternative off-site events, like the .HBC Couture: Designer Scouts runway project.
On Thursday night, the art space/party venue was jam-packed with an eclectic and terribly fashionable crowd of artists, hipsters, journalists and fashion-lovers. In between the three sets of shows, one could enjoy a free drink or two (spotted: unknown woman stashing numerous bottles of Becks beer in her handbag) or mill around and get acquainted with the other guests, which included the likes of Katja Hentschel, Jan Joswig and nearly every fashion blogger I can think of. Amongst the designers who presented their work were Starstyling, JuliaandBend, von Bardonitz, Don't Shoot the Messengers and A.D.Deertz.

As soon as the last model had stepped off the runway, the doors of the former Hungarian culture institute also opened themselves for the general public: party tiiime! I had the pleasure of meeting Gerlinde from Vienna and Julia Stelzner, both journalists and hobby-bloggers themselves. My personal highlight of the evening: getting photographed for an American fashion magazine's "Berlin Streetstyle" story. To top it all off, this morning I discovered a shot of myself and my 80ies-style silver blouse on LesMads, my all-time favourite blog! Oh, what a night...

A couple of shots straight from the runway (yay for front-row seating!):

Coming Up: Berlin Fashion Week

Come January 20th, the city of Berlin will once again be swarmed by international media, designers, models, celebrities and of course, fashion bloggers. Thaaat's right, it's Berlin Fashion Week!

Unless your name is on the A-list or you know how to crash like Selma Fonseca, scoring an invite to the shows and/or after-parties may prove to be somewhat difficult. But do not resort to your couch to eat Ben&Jerry's and sulk all week long... at least not yet. This is Berlin, after all!

Various cultural establishments are hosting events and parties open to the public that will definitely be worth checking out. During the last Berlin Fashion Week in June 2009, my friends and I managed to see an assortment of shows, hang out in the Campari Design Loft at Alexanderplatz (open bar, anyone?) and visit the showrooms at the Adlon Hotel. Needless to say, nights out that week were more than just a little crazy ;)

Here's your chance to soak up a little Fashion Week-atmosphere for yourself... I proudly present:

The La Berlina guide to Fashion Week for non-invitees


Opening Party & Showrooms by ProjektGALERIE
Throughout Fashion Week, the ProjektGALLERIE Berlin is once again hosting a variety of showrooms. Stop by on January 19 for the Vernissage and booklaunch ("My Fashion Diary" by Marc Schumann) or to indulge in a little nightshopping (until 1am). The showrooms are open January 20 - 23, 11:ooh - 20:ooh and will represent the Autumn/Winter 2010 collections of 30 international designers. Located @ HOF96/ Lucas Carrieri Art Gallery. Torstrasse 96, 10119 Berlin.

Edgy Hairfashion meets urban Fashion Wear
Up-and-coming photographers Emir Eralp and Miguel Villalobos have collaborated with stylists from "Sebastian Professional" in a series of shoots. The result is admirable and can be viewed in the Fashion Lounge Café at Collegium Hungaricum. January 20, 10:00h - 19:00h (Fashion Lounge Party on January 21, 18:ooh - 24:00h). Dorotheenstraße 12, 10117 Berlin.

Comme Ci, Comme Ca: Designer Scouts After Show Party
While the actual runway show is invitation-only, anybody that can dazzle the bouncers is invited to attend the after-show party at the .HBC. Just like most parties that go down at said gallery, this event promises to be legen... wait for it... dary! January 21, doors: 23:00h. Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 9, 10179 Berlin.

Fashion in Film: Fashion Week Cinema
2009 was probably the year of fashion-inspired movie releases. I'm thinking The September Issues, Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton and Brüno... although I'm not too sure whether the latter actually qualifies. Either way, there's a plethora of amazing movies that revolve around fashion, art and aestheticism. Hollywood productions, documentaries, short films - you name it, the F.C. Magnet is screening it! January 20 - 24, first film of the day usually starts at around 17:00h. Check the online program for more information. Veteranenstraße 26, 10119 Berlin.

Closing Party by ProjektGALERIE
Why must all good things come to an end? While I certainly do not know the answer to that question, I can assure you that the closing party on January 23 at ProjektGALERIE will end Fashion Week with a BANG! The event is co-hosted by the Blind Date Swingers Club (a monthly mix cd exchange) and the .HBC, where it will be taking place. Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for a number of live acts that will blow your mind! Doors at 22:ooh, entrance is €8. Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 9, 10179 Berlin.

c o u n t i n g d o w n

Loud music. Champagne. Fireworks. Dinner for one. Dancing.

Whatever your plans for New Year's Eve may look like, forget the hype and pressure about ending '09 with a bang and starting the new year off perfectly... I've heard way too many stories about people stuck on their way to the "party of the year" and forced to celebrate the beginning of the new year on a bus/train/random street. The best times are those which you spend in good company, so make sure you're surrounded by the people you love (and love to party with). Add good food and a little champagne for the obligatory toast... and let the good times roll!

For everyone who will be in Berlin tonight, I can highly recommend stopping by the legendary VILLA party (and afterhour) or the Kings & Queens masquerade at the HBC. For more information about either, check out the 'I Heart Berlin' blog.

If you're still unsure about what to wear, just remember that this may be one of the few nights of the year where anything goes. Well, almost anything. Leave your leopard leotards at home and think flashy! Sequined tops are always a good bet, although throwing on a cocktail dress and rounding off the outfit with a pair of funky stilettos will do the job as well. Once you have overcome that last (very tricky) obstacle of finding the perfect NYE outfit, you're good to go!

Kitsuné Maison Compilation 8 (&party)

The new compilation is out, and once again it features only the best of new releases. Not only is the cover design pretty damn cool, but seeing the list of artists featured sent me straight to amazon to order a copy for myself :)

Among my current favourites, The Drums and Le Corps Mince de Francoise, the record also features French Horn Rebellion, Slagsmalsklubben, My Tiger My Timing and many more...

For a sneak preview, either visit the Kitsuné website or check out the funny promo video:

I wish I could keep this hidden from everyone else as I myself won't be in Berlin this weekend to join the fun, but there's a Kitsuné party @ Ritter Butzke this weekend that promises to knock your socks off. Various DJs that are also represented on the new compilation will be spinning, so if all of my advertisement for the CD didn't convince you yet, go and see for yourself!

make a change - have a party!

These days, raising awareness works best when firm conviction for your cause is paired with creativity and some kind of appeal for pop culture... On Ocotber 24th, people all over the world will come together and protest against the sky-rocketing amounts of CO2-emissions global industries are still producing. Here in Berlin, the protest will take place in form of a Silent Climate Parade.

The concept is simple: 350 people may pre-register online for a limited amount of headphones. These will be distributed at Potsdamer Platz (in front of the Ritz) at 14:ooh on Saturday. Come 15:ooh, the legendary Dr. Motte (Love Parade, anyone?) and DJ Dirty Doering (Bar25) will feed these babies with finest electro beats - and you will start dancing! All participants will follow an eco-powered vehicle from Potsdamer Platz all the way to Alexanderplatz. For the exact route, click here. Nobody except those wearing the headphones will be able to hear a thing, so curious and confused looks from passersbys and tourists should be expected!

Here's your chance to engage in a good cause and have tons of fun while you're at it. The 350 haven't been reached yet, so registrations are still welcome on the official website.

See you on Saturday!! ;)