In a captivating showcase that has swiftly become one of our favourites from Berlin Fashion Week, Laura Gerte unveiled her SS26 collection, Desire/Chaos. Stepping away from the conventional, Berlin’s own Gerte transformed the Fashion Week into a visceral playground that beautifully encapsulated the labyrinthine nature of the feminine experience.
Immersed in the gritty elegance of an undone Berlin-chic environment, a select audience of 200, featuring notable fashion insiders like Jerry Hoffmann, Karolina Spakowski, Domiziana, Luisa Gaffron, and Emma Drogunova, was invited into a world where intimacy collided with chaos. The setting perfectly reflected the dual themes of the collection, amplifying the tension and beauty imbued in each piece.
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Words by Marcel Schlutt and Nico Sutor
Photos: Courtesy of Laura Gerte
Guest Management & PR: haebmau Atelier
With make-up artistry by the talented Philipp Verheyen, Desire/Chaos emerges as a powerful exploration of contemporary femininity, interweaving motifs of desire, impermanence, and the complexity of womanhood. It’s a breathtaking journey rendered through tactile juxtapositions, where skin-tight mesh forms ephemeral silhouettes that dance against the rigid structure,s evoking modern corsetry. Silk florals entwine with raw edges and distressed jersey, all while draped tees and silk foulards lend a delicate note to the fierce tapestry of textures.
A commendable commitment to sustainability lies at the heart of Gerte’s artistry, with the collection crafted from upcycled and recycled elements as well as deadstock materials. Signature techniques—thick piping, smocked silk, patchworked prints, and trompe l’oeil—flow through the designs, constructing a narrative that is as confrontational as it is poetic.
The show itself transcended mere presentation, evolving into a multi-sensory spectacle. A live camera captured the runway’s best moments and projected them throughout the venue, while a haunting soundtrack underscored the themes of the collection with an evocative monologue. The result? An emotional rollercoaster that deftly played with notions of strength and fragility, ease and rigidity, crafting a space for defiance wrapped in delicacy.
With Desire/Chaos, Laura Gerte does more than showcase a collection; she initiates a conversation—a celebration of the multifaceted feminine experience, a vivid narrative that leaves an indelible mark on the landscape of contemporary fashion. It’s an exploration of what it means to be a woman today and an invitation to embrace the chaos and desire that come with it.
