The title of, coolest city in the world, is a hotly contested and high debated prize, New York, or more currently Brooklyn, of cour se, London, Tokyo, Manchester, Stockholm, but often people in the know are citing Berlin for its trendy Arts, architecture, restaurants, general culture, and of course Fashion. Its reputation as a fashion Mecca is becoming more and more prominent because of its nature in producing great contemporary and, genuinely interesting brands.
One such brand being, GmbH. GmbH – a suffix used in Germany to denote a company of Limited liability, was launched in 2016 by designers Serhat Isik and photographer Benjamin Alexander Huseby. GmbH is a collective that utilises deadstock material from high-end Melanese factories.
Sustainability is an important part of their ethos, key styles are made from various debt stock fabrics and accessories from reclaimed leather as part of an ongoing partnership with outswear brand Hallie Hanson jackets up cycled and re-designed to create colourblocked versions with X exaggerated proportions in khaki, royal blue and white. This stance is a real comment on the fashion industry’s affair with overconsumption inspired by Berlin’s renowned club scene, the labels youthful DNA takes its cues from sportswear to create off duty pieces including trousers T-shirts tops and jackets in a variety of fabrics from PVC to velvet.
This season Matchesfashion.com has partnered with GmbH to launch their Spring Summer 18 collection highly influenced by the underground clubs culture of their native Berlin garments are created as a workwear infusion take on modern streetWEAR. For this season the brand continue to combine elements of utility and street with the theme of European migration and influence on their design fleece jackets loosefitting bowling shirts and high waisted denim trousers, adorned with high duties it heavy duty zips and utilitarian pockets tightfitting lycra and ripped loop back J Jersey crafted into highly relevant desirable longsleeved separates.
Now the above statement is one, pre-occupying many a hipster, trend setter and cool kid around the globe currently. Is the humble bumbag/fannypack the height of trendiness or an accessory which deserves its place in room 101 and should forgive stay there !?!? This question is as divisive as marmite or Mrs Brown’s Boys.
Once very much the laughing stock of the accessory world the bumbag, or ‘waist pack’ if you will, is back with a bang with everyone from Rhianna to A$AP Rocky trading in their arm candy for the humble bumbag.
A nineties phenomenon, the bumbag was the standard uniform of the ‘uncool dad’, overeager fitness instructor’ (google Mr Motivator), the remit of Germany or American tourists and early 90’s ravers Fast forward 20 years the latest ‘it’ bag has had a significant rebrand thanks to everyone from Louis Vuitton, Balenciga right the way through to Supreme and New Balance as the height of practical, stylish, hands free option with serious style points.
So how do you wear this mini marvel? For nineties nostalgia, wear slung low on the hips, twisted to the side or to the back for extra quirkiness. If you’re feeling brave, make like the fash pack and wear it cross body for the ultimate in street style cool. No longer limited to fitness wear, the bumbag can be teamed with jeans and a t-shirt for a laid back look or with a dress and boots to cinch in your waist.
