may-2012

FEATURES | BERLIN
THE FASHION ICON
CLAUDIA SKODA
Claudia Skoda is one of Berlin’s key
fashion veterans. In 1975, she started
her label from a Kreuzberg factory. The
space, which became an open house
for artists and musicians, soon drew
comparisons with Andy Warhol's own
Factory. In 1981, she then opened her
fi rst store in SoHo, New York - opposite
Vivienne Westwood’s. Then, when the
Berlin Wall fell in 1989, Skoda opened
her fi rst German branch. “The city was
isolated, so you couldn't fi nd cool, young
fashion at that time,” she remembers.
50 | TRAVELLER
“You had to go to Amsterdam and
London.” By 2000, however, all that had
changed and Skoda opened a second
shop in Linienstrasse, Mitte, before
fi nally settling in Alte-Schönhauser-
Strasse, where she now works and lives.
Her current store sells Skoda’s distinctive
and highly sought-after knitwear
designs. “I fi nd Berlin very special
because it follows its own inspirations,”
she says. “The history, the art scene,
the young musicians… These are what
makes the city so inspiring.”
SKODA ON
SHOPPING
TORSTRASSE
Just stroll along this street, which
is dirty, loud and interesting, and
where everything is a bit hidden or
special. It’s still original Berlin
(Torstrasse, Mitte).
ANDREAS MURKUDIS
High-quality, very well chosen
design that spans clothing,
furniture, porcelain, even silver
(above, 81E Potsdamer Strasse;
andreasmurkudis.com).
TRIPPEN
You can always fi nd shoes here that
you can’t fi nd anywhere else. Most
are handmade in Germany – it’s a
unique brand (45 Alte Schönhauser
Strasse; trippen.com).
STRASSE DES 17 JUNI
FLEAMARKET
On Saturday and Sunday, 11am-7pm,
you can fi nd everything right here, in
the middle of the Tiergarten, between
east and west Berlin (Strasse des 17
Juni; berliner-troedelmarkt.de).
ZEIT FÜR BROT
This new organic bakery is a
great place to sit and watch the
fashion people (and wannabees)
passing by on the street
(4 Alte Schönhauserstrasse;
tel: +49 (0)30 2804 6781).