Fashion Showroom in Berlin
A funky brick structure, some tires and lots of lights. These are the design elements of bow.berlin, a jewelry and leather fashion boutique and showroom that opened a few weeks ago in the famed Berlin West, aka City West. The shop displays the work of two German designers: high-end leather bags, belts and other accessories by Michael Lawrenz and watches, jewelry and accessories by Christian Koban. Berlin designer Neels Kattentidt conserved the character of the rough brick surfaces and cool arches of the old railway structure, and created a pared-down and funky gallery atmosphere by using the minimum of out-of-context components. He avoided the typical sleek and glossy imagery of high-end designer boutiques by turning, with admirable innovative gusto, to cleaned-up recycled car tires. A full four tons of tires were cut, wired, screwed and nailed to fit them with LED-lighting and back-lit white glass tops to create shelves, display tables and even chandeliers. Yes, we particularly love those chandeliers. All in all, Berlin West is turning into a cool and chic destination and not just because it is close to the known fashion addresses of Kurfürstendamm or the transportation hub of Bahnhof Zoo.
