The seventh edition of Bern’s open-air, open-to-all fashion show returns to parade the picturesque Old Town streets on May 25. This time round, 40 models will be showing off the collections of seven Swiss designers on the cobblestone city runway, accompanied by a live performance from local electro-pop artist King Pepe. Get a front-row seat at one of the cafés and restaurants along the 75-minute route before swinging by the pop-up store in the historic Kornhaus to browse, try, and shop the catwalk collections under the grand vaulted ceilings until 6pm.
Masterminded by Michaela von Siebenthal of retail chain Migros’s cultural arm, the project aims to promote local designers. Five Bernese labels and two guests from Zurich are scheduled to take part, including the Poplin Project, whose irresistibly colourful wares designed by Swiss Central Saint Martins graduate Susann Schweizer are produced ethically with communities in the Ivory Coast.
‘It is always so charming, and really friendly,’ von Siebenthal says. ‘Many designers use friends instead of professional models, but you would never know – everybody always looks so gorgeous.’
Loufmeter, Kornhausforum, Kornhausplatz 18, Bern (www.loufmeter.ch). Sat May 25 11am-6pm. Fashion show starts 2pm from Kornhausplatz. Fashion sale continues May 27-Jun 8 at Globus Bern City, Spitalgasse 17-21, Bern.