papier mache
DESTINATION EUROPE A SNEAK PEEK Destination Europe is our brand new publication that directs our readers to all things cool in Europe right now. For us it was the perfect time to chat Berlin – its no secret Berlin stands alone in unique creativity – and is currently fascinating the world with its effortless cool. Its was an honour for us to collaborate with Elfen Couture creator Selina von Holleben. Across these pages you will discover how Elfen Couture started as we chat to Selina about the beauty and spirit of her collections. She shares with us some secrets of the coolest places to shop, go for the best ice cream, parks and adventures. Buy the whole print issue on the link below....... CLICK TO BUY
BERLIN FAMILIES
Massuda Kassem Associate / Producer, Mutter und Vater GmbH Mila Kassem, 5
We chatted with 5 families living in Berlin about the best parks, ice cream and secret spots.
Where did you grow up?
Sabine Ballin, TV Journalist Cornelius Ballin, Marketing Manager Charlotte Sophia Ballin, 5 Where did you grow up? Sabine: Munich Cornelius: The countryside near Cologne Charlotte: Born in Berlin Can you tell us what you love most about living in Berlin? Sabine: Berlin´s live and let live attitude! Eco-friendly families coexist peacefully with ambitious career climbers and rebellious fashionistas. Cornelius: Berlin has something for everyone and it grows every day on many levels. Berlin with kids – what’s your favourite weekend adventure? On a hot day: pack early and get to the Baltic Sea ahead of everyone else. On a winter’s of cocoa and ride down the hills in Volkspark Friedrichshain. In May: Enjoy the joys of the white asparagus at one of the many farms/ restaurants South of Berlin; for dessert walk from the bushes. Berlin has some amazing playgrounds for kids – tell us your family’s favourite! There’s an old cemetery on Heinrich-RollerStrasse which has been rededicated into a playground. It’s an awesome place – especially in the summer – with lots of old trees and greens. The various playing areas are spread across the park; some are hidden in groves and there is even the odd old gravestone sticking out. It’s not creepy at all. Rather a fascinating balance between the celebration
For anyone visiting Berlin with kids -
what 5 tips would you offer? From spring to early autumn: spend a day at the zoo or rent a car and explore the beautiful woods, lakes and castles around Berlin. Get a list of Berlin’s museums – and pick three randomly - make sure the Museum für Naturkunde is amongst them! Go shopping for unique kids’ fashion and toys in the Prenzlauer Berg district and enjoy great Thai, Vietnamese, Italian or Arabic food on the go. If you have older kids, let them roam the fashion stores in Mitte while you read the newspapers at Barcomi’s on Sophienstrasse. Check out Berlin from the waterside and discover hidden gems from the top of a river boat (take the short tour, 2 hours are enough). Which kind of values do you hope to convey to your children and what are your wishes for their future? positivity, solidarity. We wish for our kids to grow up in peace and good health. Everything else comes after that. Brian & Sal Apteiker feat. Bea Kiefer, 8 months Where did you grow up? We are a GermanAmericanArgentinianRomanian MESS Can you tell us what you love most about living in Berlin? The Weather! (kidding) We love New York -Berlin is slowly getting there; at least we’ve met a lot of people from all over the world lately :) Berlin with kids – what’s your favourite weekend adventure? Take the S-Bahn for 30min. to the Schlachtensee Lake; it’s not too far from
Julieta Benito, Architect & Owner of Silo Store, Dirk Lachmann, Owner of Inmo Berlin and Cabinet-maker Cloe Lachmann, 5 & Dog Levi, 8 weeks
Hamburg
centre of Berlin - beautiful water and you don’t have to step on other people when you on. On a rainy cold day spend it @ T.U.R.M - Erlebniscity, a thermal pool with lots of different hot, cold and massage pools, a huge slide, a river stream and more fun stuff. It’s approximately 1 hour by public transport (S1 to Oranienburg) from the city centre. www.erlebniscity.de/de/besucher/erlebnisbad. html Berlin has some amazing playgrounds for kids – tell us your family’s favourite! Kinderbauernhof (kids farm) in Goerlitzer park For anyone visiting Berlin with kids what 5 tips would you offer? Eiscream @ Eiscafe Fräulein Frost in Freidelstrasse right after a cool hangout in The Kids’ Garden next door (it’s very hidden, gate there is an amazing nature playground with a real garden and a tree house). After a stroll and maybe a snack in Sonnenallee, where you get the best and most authentic hummus, you may want to relax with a cocktail or a beer enjoying sunset and live music over Berlin from the rooftop Bar Klunkerkranich, on top of the Neukoelln Arcaden (a shopping mall), enjoy the 360 degree view over the city while your kids are playing in the sand pit or take a workshop in honey making. www. facebook.com/derklunkerkranich. In the winter - skating all day in Hasenheide Park and then have dinner @ Cafe Blume , right off the park with indoor playground, amazing food and cakes live music if you’re lucky!! www.cafe-blume-berlin.de Which kind of values do you hope to convey to your children and what are your wishes for their future? Open eyes, open heart and a open mind. That our son can become whatever he wants to, as long as he plays in the NBA and pays off our mortgage.
Can you tell us what you love most about living in Berlin? Berlin is a vibrant city. More than any other city in Germany it’s considered as a melting pot for all kinds of cultures and art forms. sensationally cheap, but I guess that has changed a lot over the last couple of years. Berlin with kids – what’s your favourite weekend adventure? Lake/Lido /Strandbad Wukensee with friends in summer. Berlin has some amazing playgrounds for kids – tell us your family’s favourite! Mila loves the “blue” playground in Weinbergspark. I like the “Plansche” (kid’s pool) close by in summer. For anyone visiting Berlin with kids what 5 tips would you offer? Museum of Natural Sciences Tempelhofer Feld (former Airport Tempelhof). Bring skates, kites, skateboards, bikes, scooter, friends and on Sunday morning (has to be the morning, otherwise it’s too crowded), take a walk to the kids farm Moritzhof nearby, watch the karaoke from 3 p.m. for a while and go to the swings on the hill. Have a cake and a warm chocolate in “Kauf Dich glücklich” in Oderbergerstr. Sealife/ Aquadom. Rent a bike, discover Museumsinsel, Brandenburgertor, Alexander tower etc. . Take a break in between on a 1 hour max boat trip (don’t do 2 hours, it’s boring as hell). Which kind of values do you hope to convey to your children and what are your wishes for their future? Take care of friends and family. Stay independent. Be whatever you want to be
Where did you grow up? Julieta comes from Madrid, Spain and has been living here for 11 years, Dirk comes from East Berlin Can you tell us what you love most about living in Berlin? That it is constantly changing, always new, always surprising. Berlin with kids – what’s your favourite weekend adventure? Navigating the Brandemburg Lakes on our friends’ boat Berlin has some amazing playgrounds for kids – tell us your family’s favourite! Arkonaplatz: a nice and challenging next to it. For anyone visiting Berlin with kids what 5 tips would you offer? 1. Try to come between May and September (Winter is hard in Berlin!) 2. Rent one of our family friendly holiday apartments: www. airbnb.de/users/show/94923 3. Have a picnic in one of the fantastic parks like Treptower Park 4.Visit a Fleamarket, like the Kids Fleamarket at Helmholzplatz (www.mein-kiezkind.de/ kiezkind_aktionen/Kiezkind_Flohmarkt.html) 5. Watch out for the bike lanes! And if your kids are old enough, rent a bike! Which kind of values do you hope to convey to your children and what are your wishes for their future? I guess like every other parent we hope to be able to give our kids enough tools to manage their own lives and try to be happy, to have a
Julia Winkels, Owner of Bold - a lifestyle PR agency Ella Winkels, 3 & Theo Winkels, 8 months Where did you grow up? Born and raised in Berlin Can you tell us what you love most about living in Berlin? Being free in a way. Berlin is that little exotic island in Germany. Life is different here – sometimes challenging, but mostly just beautifully diverse. You can have just about anything: Crazy city life, pure nature, fancy dining or busy food markets, companionship and loneliness. Berlin with kids – what’s your favourite weekend adventure? For hot days, we can recommend Schwielosee near Potsdam. There is a beautiful little beach – perfect for kids (and parents!). Berlin has some amazing playgrounds for kids – tell us your family’s favourite! We love eating ice-cream at Glücklich am Park and hang out at the playground right next to Weinbergsweg Park. For anyone visiting Berlin with kids what 5 tips would you offer?
Which kind of values do you hope to convey to your children and what are your wishes for their future? To be nothing but happy (and never ever move out!). No – really, I just like to hang out with my kids and spend as much time with them as possible. I want them to alway feel loved, protected and respected. I wish them passion and a clear straight mind – to be able assisting.
empathy with others.
person. And don’t work too long and hard, you will probably miss your life.
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Once upon a time... Berlin between fairytale & history Photographer Michael Donath Stylists Antonia Zilling & Lavinia von Holleben PUSS IN BOOTS IN FRONT OF THE BERLIN WALL
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD AT THE REICHSTAG Once upon a time, there was a sweet little girl. Everyone who saw her liked her, but most of all her grandmother, who did not know what to give the child next. Once she gave her a little cap made of red velvet. Because it suited her so well, and she wanted to wear it all the time, she came to be known as Little Red Cap....
.....a Miller died leaving the mill to his eldest son, his herds to his second son and . . . a cat to his youngest son. “Now that’s some difference!” you might say; but there you are, that’s how the miller was! The eldest son kept the mill, the second son took the donkey and set off in search of his fortune . . . while the third sat down on a stone and sighed. “A cat! What am I going to do with that?” But the cat heard his words and said, “Don’t worry, Master. What do you think? That I’m worth less than a half ruined mill or a mangy donkey?
Goat fur coat “GRACE”, Elfen Couture Black leggings & black shirt H&M Boots Zara Girls
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Soft goat leather trench coat “JADE” Elfen Couture Silk Blouse “LYDIA” with bow Elfen Couture Silk trouser “HAFIDA” Elfen Couture Silk scarf Elfen Couture
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THE STAR-MONEY AT BRANDENBURGER TOR .....And as she so stood, and had not one single thing left, suddenly some stars from heaven fell down, and they were nothing else but hard smooth pieces of money, and although she had just given her little shirt away, she had a new one she gathered together the money into this, and was rich all the days of her life.
Kaftan dress “JOHAINA” Elfen Couture Shoes Moonboots
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
THE BROTHER AND SISTER AT THE MONBIJOUBRÜCKE .....The next morning, when they awoke, the sun was high in heaven, and shone brightly through the leaves. Then said the brother, “Sister, I am thirsty; I might go and drink! I almost think that I hear one rushing.”.... By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
CINDERELLA AT THE LUSTGARTEN ON MUSEUMSINSEL .....Now if came to pass that the king ordained a festival that should last for three days, and to which all the beautiful young women of that country were bidden, so that the king’s son might choose a bride from among them.... By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Dress “MIDNIGHT TWIGGY” Elfen Couture Pinafore Stylists’ own Leggins H&M
Sister Cardigan by MIO Blouse “TALIA” Elfen Couture Skirt MIO Hairbow H&M Tights & shoes Stylists’ own Brother Shirt COS Hat Zara Boy Jeans H&M Shoes Zara Knitted Pullover Handmade In the background: The Fernsehturm
In the Background: the Berliner Dom papier mache destination europe 9
the collection brilliantly: “White in terms of free from the coloured backdrop of the sky…
ELFEN COUTURE
before us…!” I’m also really interested in the culture and art of Central Asia and Iran at the moment – I’m excited about what might come out of this research!
We are super excited to have collaborated this issue on our Berlin feature with the very clever Selina von Holleben. We chat to Selina about Elfen Couture, her campaigns the free spirited folk of Berlin. Photographer Michael Donath Stylist Antonia Zilling
Hi Selina – thanks for collaborating on this Berlin feature – you have captured the essence of Berlin beautifully. Did you grow up in Berlin? Thank you so much – I actually grew up in Northern Germany, but I’ve lived in Berlin for almost 20 years now. Elfen Couture was founded in 2006 – can you tell us a little about your background – have you always worked in fashion? At the beginning I studied philosophy and literature, then I started working as a brand consultant, author and copywriter before I founded Elfen Couture. When I am creating
or fashion – is when I’m at my happiest. In the end, creating is communication, language, interaction, a life between the tides of solitaire and solidarity. Isn’t that what life is all about? Each collection is curated perfectly around a specific theme (we loved Palm Springs, 1955 and An Indochine Phantasma). Where do you draw on your inspirations for each collection? place particularly – I might be in the studio, travelling or in a café. I really like delving deep into the theme by reading a lot and researchbefore my mind and the lighting ideas, the colour palettes, the dynamics and rhythms
Left to right Baby blanket Ezcaray from Silo Store Bird Stylist’s own Kid’s clutch Littl by Lilit Hairband Gabriela Pardo Dress Elfen Couture Sweater Mio Little case Mini Labo from C 37 Hairbow Littl by Lilit
images. I love these creative processes which result in surprises again and again. Details of the collections aren’t really my strong point, which is why it’s so perfect that my head of studio, Amélie Krueger, has such a good
The Elfen Couture Collections are made to order exclusively at the Berlin Showroom in Charlottenburg – tell us a little about the experience you provide for your customer? “Which child hasn’t dreamed of stepping into the grand gowns of a silver screen diva and asking themselves, who would I be and what would the world be like?” This yearning for transformation and role playing is precisely what we provide a space for. Entering our showroom is like stepping into another world. The Elfen Couture Showdifferent cultures and worlds: antique fairytale books, old mirrors, bone china cups that look like they’ve come straight out of Alice’s Wonderland, dressing-up accessories like feathered hats from the 20s and 60s, ostrich feather fans, vintage handbags… The private atmosphere is one where kids can feel free to roam and try everything on, give themselves over to the wonder of metamorphosis and stand in front of the mirror giggling with their best friend. The many fabric samples and colour palettes are inspiring too, of course.
together and, as such, complement each other perfectly. What are you currently working on – can you give us a hint as to what is inspiring you right now? Our next summer collection, which will be presented in January/February 2014 and is called “White Wide”. A quote from Kasimir Malerisch encapsulates the ideas behind
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Left to right Guitar Gabriela Pardo Bikini top Littl by Lilit Magnetic alphabet Sebra from C 37 Wall peg rabbit United Animals from C 37 Top by Elfen Couture Cardigan Mio Babies’ rattle fox Sebra from C 37 Diabolo by Can Cels from Silo Store Leather coat Elfen Couture Picnic basket Gisela Graham Scarf Nice Things from C 37 Wooden pearl necklace Mamaradscha from C 37
Your campaigns each season are amazing – do you work with a particular team? Tell us about the creative process involved in one of your shoots? We worked on the previous few collection images with Brian Apteiker and Bea Kiefer aka OTIKWITTEIKER. They wrote to me in 2010 it became clear just how much we were on the same wavelength. We are concerned with the same themes; we share the same high exour creativity is mutually enriching in a quite extraordinary way – often without words. I am overjoyed by our collaboration – Brian is an exceptional photographer, a smart thinker and perfectionist in everything he does – our inner visions complement each other. Bea is so multitalented, a wise artist with real depth who is a master of her craft on many levels. She’s also one of the warmest people I’ve ever met. When we shot “Aleph” together, we experimented with lots of mirrors on the theme of use of imperfect means was a real challenge for us and the small models, but the result is, to new teams – my only requirement is that the energy has to be right between us. Which
it was on the shoot for papier mache, “Berlin – between fairytale & history”, with Antonia In recent years, Berlin has come to stand for a unique form of creativity – what is it about Berlin that the world finds so fascinating? I think Berlin is like a subjunctive – subjunctives live through freedom and that spurs them on. The fact that Berlin never really is,
through assimilation into the city. How will Berlin approach this? There’s also a new generation spilling out of the universities which is pursuing its own ideals and ideas, moving for change. There’s certainly no lack of creativity. Just look at all the new clubs and bars and art projects which are constantly coming up, or how the Berliners deal with empty buildings or spaces – the “Tempelhofer Freiheit” for instance. The structures for renewal are in their way out into the world…
state of becoming – and that the light conditions are constantly changing – makes Berlin so fascinating. Particularly for creative people. Berlin is full of paradox, i.e. not typically German, and yet typically German. Therein lies an exciting tension. And Berlin is very permeable – people are very free spirited and open; you can connect easily with like-minded people.
Lastly – what secrets or adventures can we expect to see from Elfen Couture over the next year? Stay alert – a lot is evolving right now! www.elfen-couture.com
Can you tell us a little about what is inspiring you in Berlin right now. Again it is this becoming which inspires me. the paradox which create exciting tension. Many foreign investors are currently exploring Berlin’s real estate and industrial potential. This brings in capital, cosmopolitan people and many new development possibilities
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Illustration Louella Pleffer
CHARLOTTENBURG/WILMERSDORF
MITTE / PRENZLAUER BERG
Cafe “What do you fancy love” Knesebeckstr. 68/69
Hotel Hotel de Rome (expensive but with great family programmes) or rent an apartment in central districts: Charlottenburg, Wilmersdorf, Kreuzberg, Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg.
Restaurant Tavola Calda Leibnizstraße 45, 10629 (Not posh but the best Italian restaurant in town & they love children!!!) Manufaktum Brot & Butter Hardenbergstr. 4-5 Shopping For Kids Übermuth Kindermoden Knesebeckstr 68, 69 De Kinderwinkel Ludwig Kirch Platz 11 www.de-kinderwinkel.de For Mums Kurfürstendamm offers all big brands, like Prada, Gucci, etc and between Knesebeckstraße, Mommsenstraße, designer boutiques. Also check Belle Rebelle with a huge offer of unique & famous parfums. Bleibtreustaße 42 www.bellerebelle.de/marken.html
KREUZBERG/ TEMPELHOF Restaurant Hasir Burger Adalbertstraße 93 (Best Burger in town!!) Austria Bergmannstraße 30 (Fantastic Wiener Schnitzel!!) Playground Tempelhofer Freiheit Tempelhofer Damm 1 www.tempelhoferfreiheit.de
Shopping For Kids Petite Boutique Auguststraße 26a. 10117 Mitte Die kleine Gesellschaft Rykestr. 41 Prenzlauer Berg, www. kleinegesellschaft.de Silo Store, Senefelder Str. 33, www.silo-store.com C 37, Choriner Str. 37, www.c-37.de For Mums Little Boutiques and designer shops around Mulackstrasse; Rianna in Berlin, Grosse Hamburger Strasse 25 (Vintage garments, jewellery & bags of famous brands like Missoni, Diane v. Fürstenberg, Dior etc.) Museum Pergamon Museum Bodestraße 3 www.smb.museum/smb/home (Fantastic kid´s experience & programmes); Naturkunde Museum Invalidenstraße 43 www.naturkundemuseum-berlin.de Cafe The Barn Auguststraße 58, Ecke Große Hamburger Straße Playground Kollwitzplatz Prenzlauer Berg Restaurant Lebensmittel in Mitte, Rochstraße 2 Restaurant Sphere in Mitte, Panoramastr. 1a (From the tv-tower you have a fantastic view over Berlin!)
Cafe Barcomis Bergmannstraße 21 www.barcomis.de
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