Courtesy of KILIAN KERNER, photo by Andrew Thomas for BFW
This season, Kilian Kerner celebrated the brand’s 20th anniversary with a striking fashion show and a rain of red confetti at the end. The line’s motto was “Herz im Kopf,” meaning lovesick, but the designer decided to interpret this serious theme in an unusual way. He used a lot of eye-catching elements, such as glitter, bold colors, various cuts, extraordinary lengths, a combination of different materials, and floral appliqués that radiated positivity and strength. Moreover, they gave the audience hope that even after difficult times, the sun will shine again. Some rather unusual combinations reminded the guests that heartbreak is not a sobering thing. But these powerful looks also encouraged the wearers to be strong, confident, and never give up.
Berlin Fashion Week
The fashion show started with a comedy about a couple who break up, but are still in love. In the end, they get back together. The opening track of the show was Nena’s song “Lass mich dein Pirat sein.” With this choice of song, the designer expressed his personal connection with the singer: at a concert in 2002, he saw Nena wearing a shirt he had designed and asked her to make clothes for him. It was only two years later that he decided to start his own fashion label.
©KILIAN KERNER, Photography by Andrew Thomas for BFW ©KILIAN KERNER, Photography by Andrew Thomas for BFW
The Berlin-based designer founded his own label in 2004. A year later, he held his first major fashion show in Berlin. Since 2008, he has participated in Berlin Fashion Week. Until 2016, he presented a new collection every season. During this long period, Kilian Kellner is one of the few labels that have participated in Berlin Fashion Week from the beginning. The anniversary fashion show in July 2024 was his 28th fashion show in Berlin. During his career, the designer has also presented collections in New York, Paris, London, Barcelona and Los Angeles. To date, he has created 32 collections for women and men. In addition, he designed 14 lines for Kilian Kellner Senses. Celebrities who have been spotted wearing his clothes include Jennifer Lopez, Rita Ora, Heidi Klum, Gwen Stefani, Fergie, Halle Berry, Karolina Kurkova, Nelly Furtado, and many more.
The color range of his 20th anniversary collection consisted of eye-popping vibrant nuances such as lime green, azure, cerulean and scarlet. There were also some purple shades, ranging from lavender, lilac and orchid. In addition, there were looks in timeless tones such as sheer white, beige, navy and night black. In most cases, black was used in a shimmering way, which accentuated the mysterious and glamorous approach of these outfits.
©KILIAN KERNER, Photography by Andrew Thomas for BFW ©KILIAN KERNER, Photography by Andrew Thomas for BFW
An interesting fact about his background is that he was a former drama student but changed careers and taught himself the skills of a designer. In 2009, famous fashion journalist Suzy Menkes selected Kilian Kerner for an exhibition along with four other designers. In the same year, he founded his second line, Kilian Kerner Senses, and sold his collections in the US, UK and Asia.
A year later, an investor bought Kilian Kellner and Kilian Kellner Senses. First collaborations with Bibi Broxberg (2011) and Nike (2013-2014) followed. Since 2012, Kilian Kellner Senses has been sold in 14 countries and in the UK exclusively in 18 Fenwick and House of Fraser stores. In 2016, the collaboration with the investor ended. Until 2021, the investor held the rights to his name.
©KILIAN KERNER, Photography by Andrew Thomas for BFW ©KILIAN KERNER, Photography by Andrew Thomas for BFW
In the same year, Kilian Kellner decided to go down a new path. He realized his long-held dream of creating a tennis collection: “Bibi Badu designed by Kilian Kellner”. To promote the line, Rafael Nadal’s nephew took part in the commercials, portraying the designer in his younger days. From 2017 to 2020, he collaborated with Samsonite. As part of this partnership, he created a business handbag and was also the face of this collaboration.
In 2019, he made a comeback to Berlin Fashion Week. First, he presented his collection under the name “KXXK”. When he regained the rights to the name, he named his label “Kilian Kerner Berlin”. In October 2022, he founded the format WE.4.Fashion Day together with fellow designers Marcel Ostertag, Rebecca Luetz and Danny Reinke, where everyone will present their own fashion show and sell a portion of the tickets for charity.
©KILIAN KERNER, Photography by Andrew Thomas for BFW ©KILIAN KERNER, Photography by Andrew Thomas for BFW
The entire line was made up of a variety of colors, cuts and fabrics. Both daywear and eveningwear were on display. This created a very unique overall impression, one that was sure to be memorable. The fact that the brand uses only vegan leather is also worth mentioning. We noticed many elements we know from Kilian Kerner from the last 20 years, combined with innovative inspirations.
Kilian Kellner’s 20th anniversary Spring/Summer 2025 collection exudes a festive, festive and glamorous atmosphere. In keeping with the theme, sparkling elements are repeated throughout the collection. Happy Anniversary, Kilian Kellner!
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Image courtesy of Kilian Kerner, Photo by Andrew Thomas for BFW
Review by Sussan Zeck for D’SCENE Magazine
