The setting couldn’t have been more spectacular or Berlinesque: a raw concrete construction site of majestic proportions, with views of landmarks like the Berliner Dom peeking through the gaping walls of the under-construction Humboldt Forum. Reason enough for architecture fans Otto Drögsler and Jörg Ehrlich to bring Odeeh back to a Berlin runway after multiple seasons in Paris. And also, a conscious attempt to “generate some extra energy in these tough times as designers,” Ehrlich explained.
It was a typical Odeeh collection, featuring bold signature prints, easy but beyond-basic shapes, freewheeling mismatches of colors and attitudes and a stylistic nonchalance that felt super-grounded, perhaps thanks to the Adidas Superstar sneakers the models wore. The positive vibe was palpable from their first walk-on, featuring Odeeh’s “Mandala” print — in reality, a reworked Seventies wallpaper mixed with a Twenties tile pattern. This, along with a graphic mermaid print and a high-sheen silk stripe, had its day in various color combos, and was styled as sleeveless tunics or more swingy popover tops and dresses to wear over piped jogger shorts/tap pants, or roomy, cropped cotton pants.
There were also the Odeeh statement coats — shown convincingly for men for the first time this season. Other audience favorites: the printed metallic panel skirt or men’s coat that will add punch to anyone’s look (as one buyer noted), as well as jaunty black and white polka dot tops and dresses with piped Pierrot collars and jabots.