Berlin Fashion Week 2008 3

As an enthusiastic fan of the emerging fashion week circuit, I was looking forward to Mercedes-Benz Berlin Fashion Week its always interesting to see how different locales attempt to create a sartorial identity. But a funny thing happened on the way to the Bebelplatz, the historic square that houses B.F.W.s tented venue. After attending 17 days straight of fashion shows, first at Fashion Rio, then at So Paulo Fashion Week and finally at the couture in Paris, I was no longer in the mood to be giving any designer the benefit of the doubt. Holding Berlin Fashion Week to the same standards as the couture shows clearly makes no sense, but the show audiences seemed to be confused, acting as if they were guests at an exclusive soiree in the Paris Ritz. Perhaps they've watched too many syndicated episodes of 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.' Instead of distilling a powerful German aesthetic and developing the public relations and commercial infrastructure necessary for real success, people are more focused on blowing Champagne kisses and indulging their caviar dreams. Which is a shame, because there was some solid talent on display. The most successful designers translated aspects of Germany's town-and-country aesthetic into contemporary collections that had a salable appeal. Scherer Gonzlez did luxe dressage with sheared mink capelets, herringbone jodhpurs, riding coats and extravagant evening showstoppers that, this season, had a tasteful appeal
http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/berlin-fashion-week-very-project-runway/