This season, Kilian Kerner celebrated the brand’s 20th anniversary with a striking fashion show and red confetti rain at the end. Even though the motto of this line was “Herz im Kopf” which refers to lovesickness, the designer decided to interpret this serious theme in an unusual way. He used a lot of eye-catching elements, such as glitter, bold colours, various cuts, exceptional lengths, a mix of different materials and flower appliqués that radiated positivity and strength. Furthermore they gave the audience hope that even after tough times, the sun will shine again. Some rather extraordinary pairings reminded the guests that you can’t think clear when your heart is broken. However these powerful looks encouraged the wearer as well to stay strong, self-confident and to never give up.
The fashion show started with a comic of a couple that broke up even though they still love each other. In the end they were united again. Nena’s song “Lass mich dein Pirat sein” was the opening show track. With this song choice, the designer expressed his personal connection to the singer: after Nena had seen him in a self-created shirt at one of her concerts in 2002, she asked him whether he’d like to create garments for her. It was only two years later that he decided to start his own fashion label.
The Berlin-based designer founded his own label in 2004. Already one year later he showed his first, big fashion show in Berlin. Since 2008, he participated in Berlin Fashion Week. Until 2016, he presented his new collections there each season. Within this long time span, Kilian Kerner is one of the few labels that participates in Berlin Fashion Week from the beginning on. His anniversary fashion show in July 2024 was his 28th fashion show in Berlin. During his career, the designer also presented his collections in New York, Paris, London, Barcelona and L.A. Until today he created 32 collections for women and men. Additionally, he designed 14 ranges for Kilian Kerner Senses. Some of the celebrities that were spotted in his garments include Jennifer Lopez, Rita Ora, Heidi Klum, Gwen Stefani, Fergie, Halle Berry, Karolína Kurková, Nelly Furtado and several others.
The range of colours of his 20th anniversary collection consisted of several eye-popping, vibrant nuances, such as lime green, azure, cerulean and scarlet. Several shades of violet were applied as well, they were ranging from lavender, lilac to orchid. In addition to that, some looks were kept in timeless tones, such as sheer white, beige, navy and night black. Most of the times, black sparkled and shone. That underlined the mysterious and glamorous approach of these outfits.
An interesting fact about his vita is that as a former acting student he was a career changer and learnt his skills as a designer self-taught. 2009 renowned fashion journalist Suzy Menkes selected Kilian Kerner for an exhibition with four other designers. In the same year he founded his second line Kilian Kerner Senses and sold his collections to America, Great Britain and Asia.
One year later investors took over Kilian Kerner and Kilian Kerner Senses. Then, first cooperations, for instance with Bibi Blocksberg (2011) and Nike (from 2013-2014) followed. From 2012 on, Kilian Kerner Senses was sold in 14 countries, solely in Great Britain in 18 stores at Fenwick and House of Frazer. In 2016, the collaboration with his investors ended. Unti 2021, they had the rights for his name.
In the same year Kilian Kerner decided to go new ways. He realized a lifelong dream, the creation of a tennis collection, “Bibi Badu designed by Kilian Kerner”. For the promotion of this line, Rafael Nadal’s nephew participated in the commercial, representing a younger version of the designer. From 2017 to 2020, he collaborated with Samsonite. As part of this partnership, he created business handbags and was also the face for this collaboration.
In 2019 he had his comeback at Berlin Fashion Week. First of all he presented his collections under the name “KXXK”. When he got the rights for his name back, he called the label: “Kilian Kerner Berlin”. In October 2022, he founded together with his designer colleagues Marcel Ostertag, Rebekka Ruétz and Danny Reinke the format WE.4.Fashion Day. During this event they all show their own fashion shows and sell a part of the tickets for a good cause.
The whole line comprised a lot of different colours, cuts and fabrics. Both day- and eveningwear was shown. Therefore a very unique overall impression was created that certainly stayed in mind. Worth of mentioning is also the fact the brand uses only vegan leather. We spotted a lot of elements we knew from the previous 20 years of Kilian Kerner that were matched with some innovative inspirations.
Kilian Kerner’s 20th anniversary Spring Summer 2025 collection radiated a festive, flamboyant and glamorous spirit. Matching this theme, sparkling elements were repeatedly used in his collection. Happy anniversary, Kilian Kerner!
Images Courtesy of Kilian Kerner, Photography by Andrew Thomas for BFW
Review by Sussan Zeck for D’SCENE Magazine
