Friedrichstraße (Mitte)
„Und weiter geht’s“ – Let’s jump back in, from the „Pinkelpause“ on to the pomp boulevard!
There are moments in which one has the feeling of destiny. Of a mission in life. The moment when things seem to be so imperfectly perfect. A too narrow street at the centre of a fast- growing, yet still in its childhood shoes standing, city. Berlin Friedrichstraße. A centre of movement. Carriages and cars side by side, no space for passengers – such chaos that the first traffic policeman had to be installed. Always crowded, always on the move. Expensive hotels, restaurants, and shop windows shining warm sparkles in the never darkening street. Dirty smelling, but THE pomp boulevard! The constant passing of time had its impact on the outer surface, but not the inner spirit, which even survived the only moment of forced standstill – when giving home to the wall, which was set to divide the eastern and western world. Hasting along it now, history is strolling up before your eyes. Houses built as a trademark from almost all different governments create the still colourful and not-really-fitting-into-one-aesthetic atmosphere. And even until today: it is just too crowded to be pretty, too narrow to be efficient, and too loud to be cosy. But with all of that – so typically Berlin.
*Since this is nevertheless starting to turn into a book, we are going to take a small break here, a so called „Pinkelpause“ (german for: peebreak). Next stop will then be Friedrichstraße, where we will finally meet the traffic policeman, so sit tight.*
Kreuzberg (eastern part)
Realm of the students. Especially a tiny eastern part cooped up by the wall from three sides managed to become quiet legendary in the 70ies and 80ies as a centre of the alternative movement, squatting, and the famous May 1st riots: SO 36. What stayed after gentrification is the dynamic, the Hally-Gally. Life is happening outside, jam sessions on bridges, chatting on the canal bank, strolling over the many markets signing petitions for veganism and Amnesty, and at night, well…then it becomes legendary once again – just now with more leggings;). A little eco, a lot of student, and a big lust for carpe diem. Second hand meets flowery pattern meets T-shirts with distinguished prints meets cardigans… and of course a Club-Mate or a road beer in hand.
Friedrichshain
Lost in time or rather somewhere in their own time are the many punks in this former strong hold of communism. Dreaming of the days where houses were squatted and sociocultural establishments were born in the old factory buildings…still politically very left, this part of Friedrichshain is not only an attraction for tourists but also a real hotspot with parties, many students, and a meeting point for the alternatives. With their minds in the here and now a new, more socially compatible, subgroup has formed characterised with an easy and chill anti-everything attitude. The dress code: White & Black. Expression: gimme a cool poker face. Party and glam meet ‘fucked up’ originals. Past meets future. Hovering above all, the never-ending spirit being inhaled through the air: Anti.
Alexander Platz (Mitte)
And so the districts and their people have to obey the rules of the city, as the city has to obey the rules of the characters it gives a home to. But, underneath the pale concrete TV tower with its turning sphere, everything comes together and loses itself again. Even the time. Here in the treeless middle of the city on chewing gum covered cobblestones, arrythmically illuminated by neon signs, all the different “Berliners” cross paths. So what does unite them all? In fashion it’s a sense of extravagant self-presentation and opinion. They want to tell a story. Whatever that might exactly be. We will end ours, as so many nights do …
…at the Späti:
What the f*** is a Späti?!? Definitely, a knight in shining armour. No matter at what hour and for what reason. “Shit, I need a tampon!”, “Let’s have one last drink…”, a beautiful Sunday morning that calls for brunch time, but “Oh no, the fridge is empty!”, you are on the way to a dinner and suddenly you realise “Ah, I forgot to buy a present for the host. Where do I now get a bottle of wine?!?”, or you have a date and are in urgent need for a chewing gum? To all of these, you’ll find an answer in the Späti. Imagine it as a tiny supermarket, that is open 24/7, that kind of feels like your living room, for the owner knows you and your needs, and you will most definitely get a nice chat on top of the reasons that led you there.
A Berlin without Späti’s is unthinkable. As is a Berlin without its curtness. Berlin is like a stubborn little child, still developing, but equipped with a giant self-will. And yes, it may be ugly and dirty at times, people dress aggressively in your face, and we can’t decide for one main centre, but that is exactly what makes it beautiful. What makes it lively. It has a charm even in its unhandy way as have the people and their own individual willingness to share a part of themselves. “Hey, here I am and that’s the way I look. I think it’s awesome, if you don’t, well I don’t give a s***!:)”
It’s exactly those edges and confidence that make Berlin lovable, just the way it is, whichever that exactly may be☺
Cheers,
Ella&Flora
Author BIO:
Ella&Flora are berlin based content bloggers, actresses and aspiring scientists. They see fashion as a philosophical and societal intra-acted art. They write about inspiring people (interviews), music, culture and the bigger (way bigger!) meaning of everyday life in their blog: Ella&Flora
Photos by posh
Clothes:
Prenzlauer Berg – trousers, blouse, striped shirt, coat
Schöneberg – coat, dress and blouse, skirt
Neukölln – pink tracksuit bottoms
Mitte – blue suit
Friedrichstraße – coat, black patterned trousers
Kreuzberg – greenish cardigan and dress
—> ALL by NOA NOA
Späti – glitter pullover —> by Martyna Sowik
