Gerrit Jacob Fall Winter 2025 collection “MERCY,” presented during Berlin Fashion Week, unfolds as a visual and conceptual exploration of faith, doubt, and transformation. The collection examines the complexities of religious symbolism, personal disillusionment, and the tension between tradition and defiance. Through a mix of references spanning film, literature, and art, Jacob presents a body of work that is as emotionally charged as it is visually compelling.
Inspired by his own experiences with Christianity, Jacob delves into the intricate relationship between belief and self-questioning. The collection embraces themes of spiritual contemplation and rejection, creating an aesthetic that oscillates between reverence and rebellion. Referencing Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet and The Holy Bible by Broomberg and Chanarin, Jacob reinterprets classical imagery through a contemporary lens. Luhrmann’s heightened, almost dreamlike portrayal of Shakespeare’s tragedy is echoed in “MERCY”, where grandeur and disillusionment coexist. Meanwhile, Broomberg and Chanarin’s reworking of religious iconography exposes underlying violence within sacred narratives, much like Jacob’s approach to questioning inherited belief systems.
The garments themselves tell a layered story. Saturated color palettes and airbrushed prints reflect both the innocence of early faith and the distortions that arise with time and experience. The use of intense hues and blurred imagery serves as a metaphor for belief, something once unwavering yet inevitably reshaped by personal evolution. Silhouettes range from structured, oversized forms that suggest defiance to more intricate, detailed pieces that nod to introspection. This duality plays out in the contrasts found throughout the collection, mirroring the internal struggle between embracing tradition and breaking away from it.
Further reinforcing the theme of reinvention, all leather pieces in “MERCY” are crafted from upcycled jackets and pants sourced from vintage shops in Berlin. This deliberate choice not only underscores the designer’s commitment to sustainability but also reflects the process of repurposing inherited ideas, discarding what no longer fits and reshaping what remains into something new. These repurposed materials carry traces of past lives, much like the symbols and narratives the collection deconstructs.
Jacob’s work consistently engages with broader cultural and social dialogues, and “MERCY” is no exception. Each piece becomes a reflection of personal transformation, caught between the tension of constraint and liberation. The interplay of voluminous outerwear and meticulous embellishments serves as a physical manifestation of this internal reckoning. The collection asks: how much of our identity is shaped by forces beyond our control, and how much can be reclaimed through conscious reinvention?
For the first time in the brand’s history, the collection is available for immediate purchase upon release. This shift speaks to the changing nature of the fashion industry, where traditional cycles are increasingly challenged. By allowing direct access to pieces as soon as they debut, Jacob rethinks the relationship between designer and consumer, encouraging a more immediate connection. In a climate of uncertainty, questioning existing structures, whether in fashion or in personal belief, is no longer a radical act but a necessary one.
this is such a cute collection!