Berlin Fashion Week For The Sneakerhead

The fashion week hosted in Germany’s capital exceeded expectations with multiple exhibitions, runway shows, and events. Each collection was a masterpiece and set new standards for design conceptualization. However, the footwear stood out as a true star among all of the looks. Runways are the birth of trends, and these are the top footwear trends I saw during Berlin Fashion Week 2024.

GMBH - Tall Chunk Boots With Short Bottoms

A soft and sensual collection from Berlin natives Benjamin Alexander Huseby and Sehart Isik takes the roof of the Tempodrom performance center. Live music and a rainy day set the tone for their effortlessly cool collection that wore the same mood as the weather. 

f you thought boots were exclusively for the winter, you would be heavily mistaken. Over the last few months, knee-high and chunky boots have taken over the footwear scene all over the world. With North American influence and the resurgence of Western culture, the cowboy boot in particular has been the figurehead of the boot movement. GMBH showed us their take on the widely desired boot and short bottom ensemble this past week. 

The edition of tall or chunky boots to outfits that end right at your knee provides the opposite of a try-hard look. You look absolutely fabulous and are the most stylish person in the room. We love how GMBH played with aesthetics and traditional masculine pieces and intersected them with different accessories and overlays to create visually interesting looks that perfectly balance the scale of masculine and feminine energy. 

Anonymous Club - Simple Flats Loud Silhouettes

Brilliant designer Shayne Oliver performs a whimsical yet mundane show of his most recent collection, suggesting that volume is the most important measurement. With dominant silhouettes, Oliver invokes a sense of imagination as he reimagines the wearability of everyday garments like jackets and hoodies. His unique innocence and fairy tale style are the perfect addition to a crowded industry that occasionally takes itself too seriously.

Have you ever heard of the wrong shoe theory? It suggests that pairing a shoe with a mood or silhouette that is drastically different from the vibe of your outfit surprisingly creates the perfect look. Coined by stylist Allison Bornstein, the term exploded all over social media and became the style guide lead. Take for example a dress and combat boots, or athletic shorts with a graphic tee and kitten heels. The wrong shoe theory proves that a sharp juxtaposition is exactly what you need to stay unique and express yourself. Anonymous Club has taken notes as they pair mundane, athletic clothing with delicate flats. 

While Oliver evokes a childlike imagination by utilizing volume and bold silhouettes with simple sweatshirts and athletic wear, the footwear takes a step back. Adorned with simple and gentle flats, the entire look gets even more interesting than it already is (which is hard). This choice interrupts the harsh and large attitude of the outfit and adds a layer of grace and elegance. Finding your “wrong” to create the perfect “right” is the fashion challenge of the summer, with thousands of creative avenues. 

Leuder - Proud Wearer of the PUMA Speedcat

“I want to give a positive outlook. There are so many horrible things happening right now, and I wanted to provide a little cheer.” London-based designer Marie Leuder explains the influence of the circus on her latest collection, which she created to decorate the runway with jester and royalty motifs. Leuder employed innovative and sustainable techniques in designing this collection, such as using water-saving dye for all the prints, with colors applied by airbrushing.

This medieval sportswear collection, while beautifully designed, has one thing in common: the Puma Speedcat. The Speedcat was initially designed for the first Formula One drivers in 1998. Its low profile makes its wear incredibly versatile and has become a staple in the streetwear industry. The Speedcat adds a casual element to these not-so-casual gowns and ensembles, curating the magnificent blend of moods we desperately want to recreate in our wardrobes. 

Richter Biel - Flipflops Are Back

Rickter Biel set the scene to evoke the vibe of partying at a favorite beach club. With a beach club drink stand and a diverse cast of characters, his collection comments on the notion that summer and beachwear can often be uncomfortable for many. The beach is a melting pot of diverse communities and styles. Rickter Biel celebrates this rich tapestry of personalities and showcases it brilliantly in his collection.

Disregarding the influence of the collection, we can’t help but notice that the comeback shoe of the year is adorned on most models; the thong flip flop. If you live near water, the flip flop was never “out” for you, but we’re experiencing a major resurgence for the rest of us. The thong flip-flop is perfect for the summer because it says “I didn’t try that hard, and I look amazing.” Paired with the classic jeans-and-a-going-out-top uniform, a dress, or something completely unexpected like seen in this collection, the flip flop does it all. 

Surprisingly, these edgy and rebellious looks make the best pair with the innocent flip-flop. Richert Biel adds another touch of edge with large metal spikes coming out at the toe. Whether your flip flops have sharp spears attached or not, there is no denying their resurgence and strength this summer. 

Kitschy Couture - The Colorful Sandal

Kitschy Couture is a label that embodies the fusion of various cultures and influences, capturing the essence of diverse upbringings. For Abarna Kugathasan, the blend of Tamil and German influences inspires her designs, reflecting her unique background. For the collection presented in Berlin this past week, the narrative of a bride marrying herself, first introduced in February, continues with a honeymoon story.

Dressed in aquatic and vacation-themed prints and styles, Kitschy Couture chooses playful colors and fabrics to relay the positive message of individualism. A constant? Colorful footwear. This summer, a sense of innocence and whim has been embraced by many different industries, reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously. Headlining this trend is the colorful shoe choice. Our sense of style and expression can become boring in everyday tasks and work. Adding a colorful shoe, whether a sandal or sneaker, can help evoke a sense of play and enjoyment around getting dressed every day, making for a great style choice. 

The pink and blue sandals and heels add another visually interesting touch to these already whimsical looks. The inflated look adds to her “honeymoon” aesthetic by suggesting a tropical vacation. Pairing colorful shoes, especially sandals this summer will add just the right amount of fun to your everyday looks.