Leonie Winkelmeier's 'Frieden ist?' Merges Fashion with Political Protest at ZK/U

Leonie Winkelmeier, a graduate of Weissensee, presented her collection 'Frieden ist?' (Peace is?) at ZK/U in Berlin's Moabit district during the seefashion26 event. The collection explores rearmament, mandatory military service, and state recruitment through five characters blending wartime aesthetics with peace movement symbols, inspired by Marlene Streeruwitz's 'Handbuch gegen den Krieg.' Winkelmeier, who commutes between Leipzig and Berlin, observed Bundeswehr uniforms at Berlin's main train station during Deutsche Bahn delays, influencing her designs. The runway show, held in an open-air venue, benefited from rain that enhanced the outdoor-military textures and veils. Winkelmeier aims to create dialogue on war and peace, hoping the costumes will eventually be used in theatre. She plans to specialize in costume design, building on an internship at Leipzig Opera, and deepen her craft techniques. The collection uses sustainable materials from the 'Future Fashion Concepts' project with Daniela Felder, emphasizing circular design. Winkelmeier describes her creative identity as a pistachio-bubblegum ice cream flavor, reflecting contradictions. The event was supported by Berlin's Mitte District Council and PLATTE.Berlin.