Meet Alan Balletshofer, a talented designer from Berlin

ALAN BALLETSHOFER

Showing his second collection at Berlin Fashion Week, Alan Balletshofer gained a lot of traction. And that’s precisely what he deserves, serving well-made, cutting-edge, tailored looks like he’s been working in the industry for decades. Fans of the tailoring of Phoebe Philo, Acne Studios, and Filippa K should take notes. The designer, creative director, and pattern maker gained experience at 032C as an intern. Working alongside Laura Corneloup (currently at Acne Studios), there was much to learn.

EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED

Effortlessly blending streetwear silhouettes with tailoring, Balletshofer is one to watch. “The jackets are cut super sharp, but I didn’t use shoulder pads for a reason. It would have made it less modern and more polished.” The detailing of his looks often isn’t visible at first but appears as soon as the wearer moves. Working with blue, grey, black, and white tones, the designer uses his color palette for unexpected peek-a-boos. Take, for example, a simple (yet well-made!) plain black jacket. A blue stroke at the sleeves emerges by moving your arms while walking. “I always look for unexpected details that distinguish my designs from others.”

It’s safe to say that Balletshofer creates chic yet edgy subtleness at its finest – a great look for those who wish to amp up their streetwear wardrobe with a dash of sophistication. The fabrics he uses are mostly deadstock materials he buys in Italy. “Big fashion houses often cancel their fabric orders or need less than they initially ordered. We use the leftovers, which are often large amounts. It allows us to work with existing materials without compromising in volume.” Sustainability isn’t only about deadstock materials, he emphasizes. Quality is just as important as wearing your pieces year after year. True sustainability, after all, is about buying less.