In conversation with Elke from Studio 5

Following a successful pop-up at Potsdamer Platz, Studio 5 has been based permanently at Playce since this year. The space is run by Elke Degenkorb, and we had a chat with her.

What exactly is Studio 5 Berlin — a studio, a showroom, a gallery? Well, I wouldn’t call it a studio, because we mainly focus on showcasing fashion collections. You could say it’s a showroom without walls. It’s all about how to present fashion collections: through fashion shows, showrooms, retail spaces, videos and photo shoots. Showcasing the best of the collections – exactly.

Who should definitely pop in? I believe that a really wide audience should – and must – come. The diversity on display here is truly very, very broad. You can discover so many great things – and at fair prices, too. You’ll be inspired by the atmosphere. It’s simply aimed at a wide audience.

You also run workshops. Who are the workshops aimed at — beginners or professionals? Not necessarily professionals. It’s about showing how you actually go about developing a collection. With sketches, or perhaps using 3D modelling on a computer? How do you make jewellery, and what materials do you use? We’ve held floristry workshops and workshops on fashion illustration. And also: how can you feel more confident in the world of fashion? Sometimes, when you’re wearing a dress, you just feel completely different to when you’re wearing jeans. So perhaps it’s also about how to become more mindful of yourself.

What can I expect when I pop in? It’s a place where, on the one hand, you can find out information, be inspired, and have an experience — in other words, where there’s entertainment. The designers are there, and the audience has the chance to engage with them directly. You can ask: “What are you actually doing here?” Or: “What challenges do you face?” And in turn, the designers ask: “What do you look for in fashion?” You should simply feel at ease here and have a good time.

What’s your favourite spot at Potsdamer Platz? Well, actually, it’s outside, by the water. And even though you’re right in the middle of the city, you still somehow get the feeling that you can switch off for a moment. I really, really like that. Potsdamer Platz just has something about it. It’s steeped in history, it’s evolved, and there are already so many fond memories associated with it. And I hope that we can also play our part here in helping people have some good moments.

How did Studio 5 end up at Potsdamer Platz in the first place? Basically, it came about through my work with students. I was looking for a way for them to showcase their work. At the time, I noticed some empty shop windows on Friedrichstraße — and I thought, I’ll just have a go at asking. That’s how the idea developed: what can you actually do with vacant spaces? How can we give young, up-and-coming talent the chance to showcase themselves? And then the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) asked me if I could give a pitch at a meeting of centre managers. That’s where I came across Brookfield — they’d presented their concept for how they envisaged The Playce’s image. And I thought: that would be a perfect fit. And of course I’m absolutely delighted that someone recognised the potential.

What makes this collaboration so special? For one thing, it’s obviously a prime location — Potsdamer Platz, right in the heart of Berlin. But above all: The Playce wanted to promote art and culture more, to present a more varied offering, rather than just showcasing the usual brands. And everything you find here is — you could almost say — one-of-a-kind. Small batches, young designers who produce their own collections. There’s no fast fashion here at all. And that’s why you can say that you find one-of-a-kind pieces here at truly fair prices. That’s no coincidence; it’s the concept.

Any advice for anyone wanting to get into fashion? Just pop in to see us. Ask questions. Have a chat with the designers — they’re there, and we encourage a dialogue. And if you’d like to showcase your own work: we put out a call for submissions every two months. You apply, and we then assess the quality, the pricing and the creativity — and whether it’s actually a good fit.