On the European fashion circuit, it has to be said that the cultural and ideological melting pot of Berlin is an oft and unjustly overlooked hub of creativity and talent. We are all well acquainted with Hugo Boss and Jil Sander, but what of the rest of what Germany, and in particular Berlin given its unique heritage, has to offer?
On a recent trip to the city, our London fashion editor naturally had his eyes peeled for any new and notable talents, and came across a designer who is quite simply, amazing and good representative of what Berlin’s unique young fashionable crowd are wearing; allow us to introduce you to Hien Le. Le, who hails from Laos, trained as a tailor in Berlin and subsequently worked for a time with Veronique Branquinho in Antwerp and at French Marie Claire before returning to Berlin to launch his eponymous label in 2011.
Hien’s clothes are beautifully (and typically German) minimalist; ultra-modern sportswear, he creates pristinely clean garments with discreet and linear cuts, employs the subtle application of details, and maintains diligent design with accurate workmanship with everything is produced in Germany. His work is classic German design as befits his training, infused with the youthful verve and edge that the vibrant, arty environment of Berlin naturally instils.
Taking for example his current AW12/13 collection, the clear sharp lines of Teutonic perfection are self-evident in the cuts and tailoring, and a playfulness enters the collection especially in menswear and knits where Le begins to play with shape and form, more avant garde styles that one would expect of a designer who is product of the wonderful city of Berlin. The menswear takes on a decidedly futuristic bent that one would associate with some future utopian society. This is urban fashion, Berlin style.
SS13 is a more neutral offering, built around a blank white canvas Hien again offers beautifully made clothing with the same use of sharp cuts and easy free flowing lines. His playful side is evident in his clever use of splashes of colour which bring subtle life to this 21st Century utilitarian wardrobe.
This young man is one we very much hope will be sticking around for many seasons to come and continue to bring us clothes that can be truly described as beautiful.