city einstein magazine / berlin issue / january 2015 / martha dobberson

BERLIN

PEOPLE ART TRAVEL CULTURE LIFESTYLE DESIGN

CITY EINSTEINJANUARY 2015

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BERLIN JANUARY 2015

EDITOR’S LETTER

This months issue centres on the confident and cool city of

Berlin, Germany. Now one of Europe’s most-visited cities, Berlin is fast

becoming a “creative hub for artists, writers and musicians” (Timeout Guide).

It seems to have an endless selection of cultural happenings including artistic

design projects like the superb Bauhaus architectural museum - of which the

Soho House is inspired by (page 41). The modern metropolis includes many

great historical locations such as the Brandenburg Gate (page 38) and the

infamous Berlin Wall (page 46). Yet we must not forget to look to the future of

this city, which holds a strong point over the design and lifestyle sectors (pages

8 and 38). For it is these industries which shall be strengthening the city and

energising its economy prospectively.

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/ MARTHA DOBBERSON /

CONTENTS

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EDITOR’S LETTER / 3

BERLIN STREET STYLE / 8

FASHION ILLUSTRATIONS: CHRISTOPHE LEMAIRE / 20

COFFEE + INTERIORS / 27

DESIGNER OF THE MONTH REVIEW: ANDREA SCHELLING

/ 30

HISTORY IN THE MAKING / 38

MOODBOARD OF THE MONTH: SOHO HOUSE, BERLIN / 41

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BERLIN STREET STYLE

This winter, there was a clearly evident masculinity in the way

the women of Berlin dressed, ranging from oversized ‘boyfriend’ pieces to

normcore and sportswear trends. The latter two also dominated the

menswear on the streets, with the shoe trend of the moment, New

Balance’s Classic 574s, taking a stronghold over the city. The outfits were

most often casual combined with an element of smart, clean tailoring.

Textures of ripped denim, leather and wool were suggested through the

many layers of the outfits. Muted palettes of black, grey, khaki and beige

were prominent and matched the cold autumn morning. Each outfit spoke

effortless, thoughtful and individual style.

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FASHION ILLUSTRATIONS

CHRISTOPHE LEMAIRE

Comfortable yet cosmopolitan. Practical yet elegant.

Simplistic yet detailed. These pairs were unlikely juxtapositions, until

French designer Christophe Lemaire showcased his AW14/15 collection.

Artistic Director of Womenswear at Hermés, and former Creative Director

of Lacoste, it’s safe to say Lemaire knows what he’s doing. His supremely

cut pieces work effortlessly in their large volumes of material and draped

perfection. This aspect of the collection is what intrigued me most. The

varying textures and strong lines created in the garments were ideal for

illustrating, as areas could be left simple and ordered, whereas others

could be filled with detail. The combination of realistic materials such as

denim with the luxuriance of cashmere and Yak wool, offers the product

of intelligent utilitarianism with the cool vibes of a style conscious

Parisian.

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Berliner Dom

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COFFEE + INTERIORS

In the centre of Berlin’s gallery district Rosa-Luxemburg Platz,

lies a coffee shop. Not your standard, commercialised coffee shop, but more

of an area of unfinished wooden surfaces, chalkboards and vintage stools.

Welcome to The Barn, where the surroundings aren’t the only unconventional

aspect of the café. This extraordinary coffee shop, where laptops and loud

noises are kept to a minimum, holds a strong emphasis on enjoying the

coffee and the company you are with. Open since June 2010, The Barn is a

sustainable business using premium seasonal coffee beans and the high

quality creation of a reduced selection of coffees. They have rigid rules on

how you should drink your coffee (no sugar or soy milk F.Y.I) and pride

themselves on being “quickly established as one of the leading ‘Specialty

Coffee Roasters’ in Germany”. Despite the strict philosophy, The Barn offers a

great atmosphere and aesthetic to enjoy your coffee, especially with the

attention to detail shown in the latte art.

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DESIGNER OF THE MONTH REVIEW

ANDREA SCHELLING

Although far from new to the

Berlin fashion scene, it was exciting for me

to discover a new couture designer whilst

on a trip to the German city in November

last year. The artist in question, Andrea

Schelling (a native to Berlin), has been

creating bespoke couture wear delicate to

the touch for over 30 years now. Her

garments are both sensual and poetic and

each individual piece clearly tells its own

story. I was invited to her studio on a cold

and dull afternoon, which was soon turned

around by the bright and charming space

in which she works. The creative energy

was vivid during my visit, as whilst I spoke

to her assistant (an Israeli fashion intern)

Schelling continued to work on current

garments, one of which was for a well-

known Korean opera singer. The wide

selection of dresses and other apparel

varied in colour, yet all portrayed a

remarkable sense of tactile finishing’s. The

magical pieces were adorned in an

embellishment of feathers, sequins,

jewels and embroidery. The experience

was truly eye opening to the time and

attention to detail spent on one off

couture pieces as well as to the passion

and dedication many designers,

including Schelling, put into their work.

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The Holocaust Memorial, Berlin

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HISTORY IN THE MAKING

November 9th marked an important date in Berlin’s calendar

- the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The city held special

open-air events in commemoration of the 138 people that died crossing

the wall and the freedom the people of Berlin now have. This historic year

was celebrated at a selection of 6 locations in Berlin, including the

Brandenburg gate (pictured opposite and below), through a ‘citizen’s party’,

a performance by Peter Gabriel and the release of 8,000 white balloons

into the night sky. Each helium balloon was released singularly as a symbol

of each life that was brave enough to cross the ‘Iron Wall’. This event was

accompanied by the playing of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony “Ode to Joy”

by the Berlin State Orchestra. The fall of the Berlin wall marked the end of

the Cold War and communist state of the East of Berlin. Angela Merkel,

chancellor of Berlin, described to German TV channels that she had “an

incredible feeling of happiness” during the event, which welcomed tens of

thousands of people during the weekend of festivities.

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MOODBOARD OF THE

MONTH

SOHO HOUSE, BERLIN

The historic building of the Soho House is situated in the

heart of Berlin, surrounded by contemporary art galleries and classic

German coffee shops. It offers a rooftop pool with a superb panoramic view

of the capital city’s skyline as well as an Italian-American bistro restaurant.

The Club Bar creates a glamorous setting with its vintage seating booths

and bar stools and the 20s inspired Screening room is truly self-indulgent.

The Soho House individually designs each of its rooms, which are

luxuriously furnished and leave subtle hints of nostalgia in their design.

This symmetrical Bauhaus-influenced piece of architecture holds a large

collection of art and design books and displays vinyl records hidden

amongst the deep mahogany work surfaces and masculine leather sofas.

This inquisitive hotel empowers the rich art and interiors of the last

century, whilst simultaneously updating them to the modern era and oozing

coolness.

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Sophie Tottie, Written Language XIII

(2009)

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