The fashion scene of Cologne – Review Cologne Fashion Days 2015

Impressive location. Fancy cars. Extraordinary fashion. Four days full of fashion at the Mercedes Benz Center in Cologne. On December 3, the Mercedes Benz Fashion Award was presented for the first time. Afterwards, the Cologne Fashion Days took place for the second time from December 04 – 06. As in 2014, the fashion event was organized by Daab, but this year for the first time in cooperation with Mercedes Benz. Over 40 designers and labels presented their new collections. The fashion event impressed not only with great catwalk shows, but also with an exclusive supporting program.

CFD 2015 – An impressive start

After the presentation of the “Mercedes Benz Fashion Award” to young designer Lisa Cho, Thursday evening, the doors of the Mercedes Benz Center in Cologne-Braunsfeld open Friday at 2 p.m. for the guests of the Cologne Fashion Days 2015. At the main entrance, the first fashion lovers are welcomed with a glass of champagne. Everywhere, tense faces with wide eyes, full of anticipation and excitement. The stylish location looks impressive. The aspects of fashion design harmonize perfectly with the aesthetics of the luxurious automobiles. On the way to the dressing room, guests’ eyes fall directly on the catwalk, above which the words “Cologne Fashion Days 2015” are emblazoned on a screen. Models are shot by photographer Oliver Rudolph, after which the rehearsals for the following catwalk show are to begin. The guests can pass the time until then by shopping and collecting impressions.

Fashion, Beauty & Shopping at the Cologne Fashion Days

The designers have set up their stands on the upper two floors and present their collections for you to touch and try on. In addition to filigree gold jewelry, there are cool sweatshirts, colorful dresses with African prints, golden glitter robes or elaborate faux fur jackets to admire. A colourful mix of collections from different designers, there is something for every fashion fan. The creations are offered in the mid-range price segment, no haute couture at dizzyingly high sums.

Beauty and styling are also not neglected at the Cologne Fashion Days. There is a professional “beauty corner” on the first floor. A mobile spray-tanning tent by Beaubronz invites guests to get a healthy tan via spray. A method that is already very common in the USA, but has not yet fully established itself in Germany. Next to it, hairdresser Udo Luy has set up his stand. In cooperation with GHD, guests can have their hair styled by his team of hairdressers free of charge. Obviously particularly popular in winter 2015: waves & curls. The hairdressers routinely swing the curling irons, hairspray scent wafts through the air. At the Cologne Fashion Days, no woman suffers from a bad hair day. To match the perfect hair styling, the make-up artists from “Die Maske” take care of the matching make-up.

Catwalk & supporting programme

For the organizers of the Cologne Fashion Days 2015, Ralf Daab and his team, a varied offer and an interesting supporting program are very important. The Cologne Fashion Days should offer even more than just a presentation of the designer collections on the catwalk. Between the daily fashion shows there will be public talks about the fashion world. Fashion experts discuss the fashion industry and explain not only the creative processes on the part of the designers but also entrepreneurial aspects. Of course, the elaborate catwalk shows are the daily highlight of the Cologne Fashion Days. But unlike at Fashion Week, guests can try on and buy the fashion presented at the designer stands themselves after the shows, or talk to the designers in person.

Closing of the Cologne Fashion Days

The final day of the Cologne Fashion Days starts Sunday morning at 11 am. A public model casting by the Cologne model agency CM Models, in cooperation with various designers of the CFD, is on the agenda. Up-and-coming models will face a jury of experts on the catwalk. The response is great, the jury retires for a consultation. Afterwards, it is publicly announced which casting participants have made it into the final catwalk show. The jury selects the large group to the best 12 model candidates and aspirants. While a spontaneous choreography is rehearsed, the guests can enjoy the last hours of shopping at the Cologne Fashion Days 2015. As the highlight of the day, the casting participants will present their skills in a catwalk show with real designer outfits. An impressive show, even absolute beginners show great potential. Four up-and-coming models finally get a modeling contract with CM Models. A great end to an exciting weekend.

The designers begin to dismantle their stands, exhausted but satisfied. New contacts were made. Beautiful memories immortalized in photos and videos. For the guests, the models, the designers and last but not least for the organizers a successful weekend under the sign of fashion and another step for Cologne towards a fashion metropolis.