Workshop offerings >Fast fashion and how can we improve?<

In October, we are launching a new educational project for young people aged 10 to 27:

Do you have favorite clothes that are worn out, or clothes that you can’t bring yourself to throw away even though you no longer wear them? Would you like to learn more about how fashion is produced and sold worldwide? And what exactly is fast fashion?
In our new workshop series, textile professionals and activists will show you what can be made from found or “old” clothing and how you can repair clothing and thus protect the environment. You will also learn more about alternative ways to be fashion-conscious and sustainable.
The free workshops take place in the evenings, on weekends, and during school holidays. Unless otherwise stated, they are held here: Weinmeisterhaus – Youth Culture Center Berlin-Mitte, Weinmeisterstr. 15, 10178 Berlin (see map)
The project is a collaboration between Kostümkollektiv e.V. and WeTeK Berlin gGmbH and is funded by the Bezirksamt Mitte von Berlin, Umweltamt, Bereich Umweltbildung.

We will publish the current offers here on an ongoing basis. The workshops will be held in German.

Weekend workshops in November for young people aged 15 to 27:

November 8 + 9: Fashion and self-expression – 2-day workshop
With Alice Fassina, costume designer and sustainability activist
The two workshops build on each other, but can also be attended separately.
Day 1: “Clothing, Body, Identity” We explore our perception of clothing. It is full of symbols and associated with feelings: an expression of identity in the current fashion context and a trigger for memories. We sensitize ourselves to the sign language of clothing. Using photographic material and clothing, we invent roles, outfits, and stories. Newly designed outfits and role-playing in “costume” allow us to test how we come across. Finally, we gather our experiences, also in preparation for the following day:
Day 2: “My clothing speaks” We build on the experiences of the previous day – your clothing can consciously serve as a medium for statements, attitude, and self-empowerment. Outfits can speak – about what is important to us, what we want to express or change. To do this, we examine existing clothing with slogans and how we could change the message. We implement the ideas using collage techniques, embroidery, textile printing, or cut-outs. In this way, you develop a personal garment that says something about you. We will then present and stage it in a photo shoot, mini-performance, or installation.
When: Day 1: Saturday, November 8, 2025 + Day 2: Sunday, November 9, 2025 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m. each day
Registration until November 5 at: weinmeisterhaus@wetek.de

November 22: Upcycling “from bag to bag” – give your old bag a new lease of life
With Cynthia Bohner-Vloet, fashion designer and green fashion specialist
Recycle, don’t throw away! We’ll use the material from your old bag to make a glasses case. We’ll take a look at your bag: What material is it made of, where was it manufactured, what kind of fasteners does it have? What can we use for our new glasses case? Which materials and elements can’t we use now, but are worth keeping for another project?
Bring your discarded bag and your sunglasses with you, because they’ll be in the spotlight. If you don’t have a discarded bag, don’t worry: some will be available.
When: Saturday, November 22, 2025 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Register with the subject line “von Tasche zu Tasche” by November 18 at: weinmeisterhaus@wetek.de

November 23: Understanding, reflecting on, and transforming fast fashion
With Elena Sofia Stranges, textile designer, art therapist, and activist for sustainable textile use
In this interactive workshop, we explore the structures and effects of the fast fashion industry and combine critical thinking with practical experience. Together, we reflect on our own consumption habits and emotional attachment to clothing, learn about materials, production conditions, and global contexts. We playfully examine fashion brands for sustainability and evaluate them critically. We will discover sustainable alternatives and collect ideas for creative upcycling and repair techniques.
When: Sunday, November 23, 2025 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Register with the subject line “Understanding Fast Fashion” by November 18 at: weinmeisterhaus@wetek.de

 

Official project start of our HdM project MOBILE MAKERSPACE MODULES FOR EXPERIENCING CIRCULARITY IN EVERYDAY LIFE

At the next KO-Market, the open day of the Haus der Statistik model project, we will be launching our “Textile Mobile” as part of the project “Mobile Makerspace Modules for Experiencing Circularity in Everyday Life”: Initiatives of the House of Materialization will be on the road in the city this summer with mobile workshop modules for textiles, bicycle mobility and electrics, food and mushroom mycelium, used materials and woodworking to talk to you about strategies, everyday practices for circular action and to shed light on the background. We regularly publish the dates of all participating partners in the HdM program calendar.
The project “HdM Mobil – Mobile Makerspace Modules for Experiencing Circularity in Everyday Life” is a cooperation project of the House of Materialization e. V. and the Department of Circular Economy and Recycling Technology TUB, funded by the VW Foundation.
When: Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 2 – 8 p.m.
Where: Textile Workshop/KoWerk in OTTO, Otto-Braunstraße 70-72, 10178 Berlin (see map)

Online survey on the services offered by our Textile Workshop

Kostümkollektiv e.V.’s Textile Workshop is already up and running – now we want to develop it further and tailor it to the needs of the scene. To do this, we need your opinion!
In an online survey, we would like to record the needs and wishes of professionals, students and trainees in the fields of costume, costume design and textile design. The aim is to equip and organise the workshop in future so that it can be used even more specifically for temporary projects and commissions – in a practical, effective and collaborative way.
What is in demand?
Which machines and tools would be important for your work? What materials, textiles or services would you like? Which training programmes would be of interest to you?
Your feedback will help us to further develop the workshop in line with your needs.
The survey will run until June 18, is anonymous and will take about 10 minutes. Your details will of course be treated confidentially – no data will be passed on to third parties. The evaluation will be used exclusively for the conceptual development of our Textile Workshop.
Click here for the survey: https://forms.gle/tCitXKJMdJj1DhEm9
Thank you very much for your participation! Please also forward the survey to colleagues and contacts in the fields of costume design, independent scene and performing arts – the more feedback we receive, the more accurately we can capture your actual needs!

How To: Scenography in the Independent Performing Arts – From Concept to Realization

With Silvia Albarella (set and costume designer, Kostümkollektiv e. V.)
What are the special characteristics of working within the independent performing arts community for stage and costume designers? In this workshop, artists (scenographers, artistic directors and performers) will receive information that will make it easier to begin working in and move through the professional field as well as help for the calculation of a scenography budget. When registering to attend, we do ask you to send specific questions and/or projects (concept, sketches for the set design and costume design) in advance. The workshop will be held in German spoken language, Q&As are possible in English spoken language.
A free offer from the advice center of the Performing Arts Program Berlin in cooperation with Kostümkollektiv.
When: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 | 5 – 8 p.m.
Where: Stock of Costumes of Kostümkollektiv at Kunstquartier Bethanien
Registration until March 26: beratung@pap-berlin.de

Workshop for costume design in theater and film

A two-day introduction to the world of theater and film costume design led by stage and costume designer Silvia Albarella for anyone who works with costumes and would like to gain insight into this profession.
The various aspects of costume design will be analyzed by using different costume designs and styles as examples, and illustrated by means of slide shows and the examination of concrete costumes. With the help of warm-ups and playful work with colors and fabrics, participants will be guided to create a costume image. Other costume design practices, such as mask making, dyeing and patination will be taught. Figurines can also be designed with the help of collages. Finally, the result will be documented with photos.
When: Saturday, March 1 + Sunday, March 2, 2025 | 12 p.m – 7 p.m.
Where: Stock of costumes at Kunstquartier Bethanien, Mariannenplatz 2, 10997 Berlin
Course number: FK2.880
Fee: 55 Euro / reduced 29 Euro
Information on course registration: www.vhs-fk.de, vhs@ba-fk.berlin.de