DSTM

There are plenty of young Berlin designers cutting their chops at boutiques around the city, but Canadian-born Jen Gilpin’s label Don’t Shoot The Messengers is easily the definitive city look. Local influences can be read from all over: shades of Marlene Dietrich’s austere raunchiness and even the complex fastenings of fetish-ware are apparent in the billowy clothing, made mostly in fine black silks and leather. Angular cutouts offer up glimpses of flesh, and sleek shapes are conjured up by inventive draping that proves Gilpin’s skilled technique. Their handsome Mitte boutique is definitely worth a visit, and their line runs from elegant leggings to layered wool overcoats, with surprisingly affordable prices to boot. They even have the Lady Gaga seal of approval: she was spotted wearing little else than DSTM lingerie and a fur coat for her album release party in Berlin.