Claudia Skoda inaugurated the summer edition of Berlin Fashion Week at the Tempodrom as part of the INTERVENTION Showcase by Reference Studios. Her presentation was a masterclass in knitwear innovation—sequin leggings beneath tube dresses, and draped Lurex sweaters with extended sleeves, all set against a backdrop of retrospective collages.
Skoda’s dedication continues with the use of recycled materials like Lurex, merino wool, and elastane, challenging and redefining traditional knitwear norms. Her journey from the punk-infused days of West Berlin and the artist commune “Fabrikneu” to her acclaimed status today is storied and iconic, with endorsements from legends like David Bowie.
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Runway Pictures: © Finnegan Koichi Godenschweger @godenschweger.photography
Skoda’s passion for knitting is matched only by her love for the subversive energy of punk—a duality that breathes life into her creations. Her work captures punk’s raw, untamed essence, deconstructing and reconstructing textures into bold, liberating designs.
Skoda’s collections have always transcended age and time, appealing to a youthful audience while honouring the timeless elegance knitwear can offer. Her designs for over 30 years have been synonymous with experience, femininity, and refined modernity. This Berlin Fashion Week, supported by Crocs as the exclusive footwear partner, she continues to push boundaries and inspire.
ABOUT CLAUDIA SKODA
Claudia Skoda is a doyenne of sophisticated knitwear and a pivotal figure in West Berlin’s underground scene of the 1970s and 1980s. Her groundbreaking knitwear and electrifying fashion shows have left an indelible mark on the fashion world. Skoda’s Kreuzberg collective, “fabrikneu,” was a melting pot for creative minds spanning music, fashion, painting, film, and photography.
Recognized internationally as the “queen of texture,” Skoda stands among the greats—Coco Chanel, Mary Quant, Vivienne Westwood, and Madonna—as a visionary who shaped 20th-century fashion, as highlighted in Elle magazine.
This show not only honours her remarkable legacy but also cements her ongoing influence in the fashion industry.
