Day 6: Homeward Bound

We were due to fly back to the UK at 7PM, which meant spending the day in Berlin and heading to the airport around 4. The weather had been bad in the K whilst we were away and snow had meant that previous flights from Berlin to London had been cancelled. We spent the day dreading the news the flight would be delayed and we'd have to spend hours in the airport.

To pass the time we visited a vintage warehouse called Garage. Here you could buy vintage by the Kilo for a set price, or buy individual items for next to nothing. I bagged myself 2 T-shirts at 1euro each, and a dogtooth pencil skirt. We ate at an American Diner nearby, called Hollywood for our last meal before we headed back to the hotel and onwards to the UK.

Day 5: Shopping and Sheesha

After days of serious Fashion business, our last full day in Berlin was spent shopping and admiring Berlin's amazing Street Art. I'd spent most of the week trying to resist a splurge on unnecessary purchases, but today I just could not resist. 100 euros later and I'd purchased from... all the shops we have back home.. oops.

Seen as though we hadn't done to well at sampling Berlin night life so far due to being so tired after a day wandering about, we decided we should make the effort on our last night. We ate at a small Italian restaurant on our way back from a long day's shopping and headed back to the hotel to change and have a few pre-drinks.

 We spent the night at an area called Oranienplatz, apparently well known for it's lively bars. After a few cocktails and free shots in a small, smoky bar, we moved on to Akra bar, a sheesha place just down the road, to meet some of the others on the trip. The rest of the night was spent with Apple Sheesa and Pinot Grigio, until we called it a night and realised that German Kebab shops do not do chips at the end of the night!

Day 4: Show + Order and Positive Eating

The third trade show of the week was Show + Order. Since the first day, our map skills had improved vastly so I as nominated 'Team Navigator' to get us to the event. Luckily I took my newly appointed job role seriously and got us there first try. 

Show + Order seemed a lot 'safer' than Capsual. The collections on show were nothing revolutionary, and seemed to be aimed more towards the older market, than the young and fashion concious. The show space flowed well as each brand was given the same white space with room for branding. Overall it again felt like a useful event to attend, but was less inspirational than the merchandising and collections on show at Bread & Butter and Capsual.

I will say, however, we got some great freebies! From nail varnish, to chocolate bars and mini cupcakes, that definitely made it worth the trip!

The rest of the day was spent sight seeing at Checkpoint Charlie and a lovely meal at a place called Cha Cha's - the German equivalent of Wagamama's. 

I would strongly recommend it for a tasty, healthy meal. As their slogan says, it definitely was 'Positive Eating'; the address can be found here .

Day 3: Bread & Butter

Bread & Butter Berlin. The biggest trade show of Berlin Fashion Week, and as a student, the hardest to get into. Many of the other shows would simply take your blog address as a means of entry, but to get into Bread & Butter, you had to attend on behalf of a brand who have given you permission. 

I had given up hope of being able to attend the show, until the last minute when the opportunity arose for me to attend on behalf of Fashion Insider magazine. I was going to get an invaluable insight into the industry and collections yet to be seen. 

After being given my Press Pass (!) I was in. The size of the show and all the stands absolutely blew me away; it was a whole different ball game to Capsual yesterday. The whole show took 5 hours to view (as well as enjoying an odd glass of free champagne) and was an experience I'll never forget.

Day 2: Capsual... eventually!

Up bright and early on Day 2, intending to see both Show + Order and Capsual. This was easier said than done.

After walking to Alexanderplatz easily enough, we headed in several directions in an attempt to find Show + Order, but it seemed our map reading skills left a lot to be desired. Whilst trying to reach our destination, we saw a lot of Berlin, including the only Kony viral message I've ever discovered, the TV tower and the odd historical monument.

After spending the majority of the morning wandering with no success, we eventually gave up and jumped in a taxi to Capsual. As my first experience of a trade show, it was definitely a positive one. Despite feeling incredibly out of place in a warehouse full of achingly cool beanie wearing, beard growing, trouser rolling up hipsters, the event excited me. Knowing you are surrounded by like minded creatives is a great feeling. Capsual was full of small brands displaying their unusual new collections, with innovative designs such as bold animal print in menswear, and a collection of wooden sunglasses.

The event also featured a pop up 'Do you read me?' shop. A haven for print lovers; I splashed out 25euros on inspiring unusual magazines.

Day 1: Pizza & Pints

Our journey to Berlin started with a 00:00am alarm, followed by a 3 hour coach from Nottingham Trent University to Heathrow airport for a 7am flight.
I, along with 80 other Fashion Communication & Promotion students, was to be spending a week in Berlin for Fashion Week. We were sneaking our way into trade shows, absorbing the culture and gathering inspiration for upcoming projects.

After arriving at the airport around lunchtime, travelling to the Hotel Transit Loft and eventually getting settled into our dorm rooms of 6, the only option for the afternoon was sleep.

5 hours later we emerged, hungry and ready to explore the surrounding areas of the hotel. After stopping for the world's cheapest Pizza (5 euros for a large!) and a couple of Mojitos in a cute little Restaurant, we were on the hunt for more drinks. Drawn in by the offer of cheap drinks, we were greeted with enthusiasm, giant cocktails and the quick realisation that we were outnumbered. We were in a Gay bar. Having visited my fair share of Gay bars with friends back in my home town of Leeds, I was surprised by how un-gay the bar seemed in comparison, the only hint of homosexuality came from a few subtle rainbow flags and one lonesome disco ball!

Whilst sipping on pints of Long Island Ice Tea and the biggest and strongest Caipirinha's I've ever experienced, we made some German friends, clearly amused by the fact we were unaware we'd stumbled upon a Gay bar. After some free shots and making a friend on the way out, 'I like you, you're funny', we called it a night, ready to explore the City in the morning.