Berlin is a city commonly associated with all things cool and edgy: alternative lifestyles, bustling flea markets where you can get any imaginable souvenir, all presentations of vegan food, a bicycle-friendly urban design and, of course, endless techno parties held at phone-free, underground clubs. The sense of boundless creativity that permeates every aspect of Berlinese life also translates into how people dresses there. While there is, undoubtedly, a preference for black garments, one stroll around Mitte on any given afternoon can confirm that people in the German capital has a knack for expressing themselves through their outfits, mixing 70’s vintage finds with walking-friendly boots in all styles, sizes and colors, and such a variety of hairstyles and body modifications that not having one is rarer than being covered in tattoos.
This isn’t limited to the cool, artsy kids: you will see people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds finding they can fully be themselves here, as most of its population just minds their own business and rarely, if ever, judge unconventional choices, fashion or otherwise. In the words of Marlon Ferry, one of the city’s most prominent young fashion talents: “In Berlin you can be anything you want because nobody even bothers to care. I think it’s this attitude of not giving a f*ck that is Berlin’s biggest contribution to my work.” His namesake brand has met positive reviews from the industry, and has been worn by celebrities such as Grimes and Giolì & Assia.
Ferry has an interdisciplinary approach to creativity, as his background relies on his mixed education as a contemporary artist and fashion designer. After an internship at Iris Van Herpen’s atelier, he pursued a master’s degree in fashion design, while also developing an ethos that relies on working smart, rather than hard. “I never understood flexing the hours that go into a dress. Of course it‘s somehow a statement for impressive handwork… but if you get the same results in less time – then you are a genius.”
He also believes in the importance of looking inwards to one’s own processes instead of frantically searching for external inspiration. In Ferry’s case, the focus is on pushing the limits that textile innovation can offer. “I have experience in 3D design and continuously stay updated with new technologies. This phase of creation demands persistence. Any shape or idea you imagine can be realized if you’re willing to experiment and push boundaries. That drive to constantly reinvent yourself is something I believe lies at the core of every art form —and it’s what fuels my interdisciplinary practice.”
As for the more artistically elevated elements of Marlon Ferry Atelier, they can be described as a perfectly balanced mixed of sci-fi aesthetics, futuristic sensibilities and a hint of goth sensuality, resulting in a creative universe that feels both delicate and cutting-edge, melancholic and fierce. The latest presentation of the brand during the winter 2025 edition of Berlin Fashion Week, with yet another couture collection, showcased a series of looks that portrayed a woman who is soft, sensitive, but never scared of showing her most dangerous side. Massive black PVC gowns made with 3-D printing techniques, Bordeaux red lace suits, pure white dresses in soft, flowing cuts accessorized with claw-like black harnesses, an intricately sculpted black bioplastic corset with a dangling ruby red drop in the chest. The whole set felt very soulful, which is a testimony to Ferry’s commitment to express his inner world uncompromisingly, regardless of his respect and admiration for other creators: “Sometimes the influence is more about atmosphere, texture, or emotional resonance than direct visual references.”
In the end, it’s all about self-expression and an endless pursuit of excellence and originality on his craft for Marlon Ferry. As it can happen to many enterpreneurs in creative fields, it wasn’t the business aspect of being a fashion designer what brought him to this line of work. “I actually never really dreamed of having my own company. After university I wanted to make a career inside a fashion house but just couldn’t score a job aligning with my ambitions. So I took matters in my own hands and I‘ve kept going ever since. If at some point a job offer would come along my way which would exceed all my opportunities and open up new doors I am most certainly going for the adventure. But this is something for the future. I am exactly where I need to be at this moment.”
