Germany: Offshow 14 oz to take place parallel to Berlin Fashion Week

From 29 to 31 January 2009, the Offshow 14 oz. 2nd floor takes place parallel to Fashion Week Berlin.

On the second floor of the 14 oz. store in Berlin Mitte, eleven selected brands from the store portfolio present their A/W 2009/2010 collections to international buyers and press.

In five individually designed rooms, a selected brand portfolio presents itself: Atelier LaDurance, Denham The Jeanmaker, Dayton Boots, Dukes Belts, Filson Bags, Gilded Age, Johnson Motors, Nigel Cabourn, PRPS, Red Wing Shoes and Spiewak. The labels' designers and protagonists will be present in person.

Karl-Heinz Müller, managing director and owner of 14 oz. and BREAD & BUTTER – tradeshow for selected brands: "We carry all labels that present themselves at the Offshow very successfully in the 14 oz. store. The protagonists behind the labels are authentic Denim-lovers and industry professionals whom I feel personally connected to. Their collections match my personal taste. As the host, I am glad to show these collections in a very special ambiance, and at the same time to have the 14 oz. as a place to go for industry insiders."

The spacious, stately 300 sqm-apartment in the 14 oz. store building offers selected guests and regular customers the opportunity of shopping in a private atmosphere and "by appointment".

Since its opening at the middle of last year, the 14 oz. in Neue Schönhauser Strasse 13 in Berlin-Mitte is Berlin's first address for Denim and Urbanwear.

One of Berlin's most beautiful stairways leads to the second floor of the 14 oz. store. Every room impresses with an individual interior with a lot of love for detail and a special ambiance meeting the listed Neo-Renaissance building complex from 1890/91.

1st Room - PRPS
2nd Room - Denham The Jeanmaker
3rd Room - Red Wing Shoes, Spiewak, Nigel Cabourn, Filson Bags, Dukes Belts, Johnson Motors
4th Room Atelier LaDurance
5th Room Gilded Age, Dayton Boots

PRPS, one of the currently most recognized Denim brands, presents itself during the Offshow 14 oz. 2nd floor in the Denim Lab. The products of this US Denim brand are artful, one-of-a-kind masterpieces, mostly produced in Japan. Nick Stavrakakis of Indigofera Distribution Ltd., the European distribution of PRPS based in London, as well as Jeremy McAlpine for the German-speaking region, are available as contact persons for the professional audience.

The very authentically designed Denim Lab distinguishes itself through a rough appearance, and the floor, consisting thoroughly of zinc plate, adds to this impression. An old work bench from a bicycle garage as well as tool cabinets serve as furniture.

During the Offshow, Denham the Jeanmaker from Amsterdam shows his collection for the first time on international floor. The products excel through Jason Denham's passion for jeans and his experiences with Vintage Denim. Denham's signature collectionis themed "The truth is in the details". As in the other rooms, stucco elements covered with silver leaf can be found in the Basic Room.

Fred Bschaden's agency Treibstoff shows six collections during the Offshow: the label Spiewak, which is once again present in Germany with its new distribution structure, as well as the collections of Red Wing Shoes, Filson Bags, Dukes Belts, Johnson Motors and the collection of Nigel Cabourn, who will also be present in person during the Offshow.

In the showroom, the handwritten wall bordure with the Latin inscription catches the eye, saying (in translation): "At the end of the day, the truth is unearthed." An ensemble of a leather-padded seating corner in the bay as well as a spacious Chesterfield lounge invite to stay. Apart from that, the Mens Room is equipped with a wood wall panelling, in which a mirror is embedded, a historical fin de siècle shirt cabinet as well as with library cupboards, which were rebuilt into wardrobes. Deer antlers and a boar head complete this "study".

In a further, very impressive room, Gerard Backx presents his Denim label Atelier LaDurance – a rather restrained and at the same time very high-quality collection from Provence.
Discreet colours such as pastel green, crème and dusky pink dominate the colour concept of the room. A chandelier with porcelain roses, a French bed from the 19th century, a dresser and historic-style heating coverings provide the room with a very classy atmosphere.

Gilded Age from New York presents its collection in the Bar Room, which excels through Art Deco-elements from all parts of Europe. The label of founder and creative director Stefan Miljanic shows a balanced mix of luxury Sportswear and Premium Selvedge Denim. Gilded Age is known among denim-connoisseurs as an insider tip.

Dayton Boots, which are available only recently in Europe, will also be shown. Matthias Lemcke, managing director of the Europe distribution, personally presents handmade and sewn-welted originals from the year 1948.

A Belgian bar in the style of the 1920s as well as an old wooden Frigidaire fridge form the heart of the Bar Room. The walls impress with their claret silk wall covering as well as with their wood panelling, and the club chairs from Prague round off the Art Deco-atmosphere in this room.

Hell's Kitchen is responsible for the catering as well as the bar during the Offshow in 14 oz. 2nd floor. Apart from that, Barbara Portaluri and Paola Colombera present their own accessory collection made of recycled rubber tubes.

S1 Architektur is responsible for the architectural concept of 14 oz. 2nd floor. Henning Ziepke and Ansgar Schmidt have already created the store concept for the 14 oz. store. The walls of the apartment were artfully decorated and designed by art painter Peter Wiegand and church painter Stefan Haimerl with silicate and natural colour. The antique furniture and single pieces come mostly from the fund of Luis Mock, who has already equipped numerous restaurants and cafes in Bavaria.

In the future, 14 oz. 2nd floor will be used for collection presentations, press viewings or trunk shows. Karl-Heinz Müller: " Everything is imaginable, the area is growing and can be used in many respects." The events will be announced accordingly.