During Berlin Fashion Week this July, Kilian Kerner took over the Skatehalle Berlin to debut his most personal and intimate collection to date, titled “BURNING SYMPHONY.” Known for drawing a distinct crowd, the presentation brought together a notable front row, including Simone Thomalla, Annabelle Mandeng, Florence Kasumba, and Ulrike Frank, all gathered to witness a narrative that extends well beyond typical runway parameters.
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All photos by Shin Jeong Hoon
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“BURNING SYMPHONY” serves as a direct creative processing of a deeply challenging period in Kerner’s life. Navigating the heavy physical and emotional toll of a severe illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and personal loss, the designer managed to channel this inner chaos into his creative output, even while experiencing unprecedented, yet complex, professional success. The resulting garments deliberately inhabit the space between hardness and fragility, translating darkness and eventual recovery into highly expressive, contrasting designs.
The collection balanced these heavy themes of despair and loss with a palpable sense of resilience and structural strength. Each look carried the weight of the designer’s recent biography, presenting a visual trajectory of moving through trauma toward a state of gratitude and clarity. As Kerner noted in his process, putting this level of personal vulnerability into the work required an immense personal and creative effort, turning the final lineup into a proud marker of a new chapter.
Documenting the atmosphere of the presentation from behind the scenes, photographer Shin Jeong Hoon was on hand to capture the collection up close. His backstage photography provides a focused look at the textures, details, and raw energy of the show, offering a thoughtful perspective on one of the schedule’s most deeply felt moments.
