In “Berlin Un-Natives,” we street cast a group of young internationals from varying backgrounds and their experience of the city of Berlin, what brought them here and why.
Taking inspiration from the city itself, the shoot was styled with pieces from local and international labels like German Mel Redmir, Latvian Cinnamon Concept, Zimbabwean Parsley Studios, and Austrian Coalesced, all brands are independent with a focus on sustainability and small production.
Maya @mayassstyle
Where are you originally from?
I was born and raised in Kailua, Hawaii.
Define your nationality for us.
I am part Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiian, and Austrian but I guess I would say nationality-wise, I am American and Austrian.
What brought you here?
Originally, I came to Berlin to check out the nightlife scene but now I come not only to party but also to work.
What is Berlin to you?
Berlin to me is: YASSSS
What is your favorite flavor of the city?
My favorite flavor of the city is definitely the pre-going out Sunday brunches.
Favorite thing to eat after a night out?
My go-to food after going out is a green smoothie to cancel out the night before.
Tell us your daily rituals: Weekday vs weekend
My daily rituals are sleeping in, drinking too much coffee, eating burrata, jumping on my trampoline, doing a bit of work, and if I have time, having a glass or two of rosé with friends. There are only two things that really separate my weekdays from my weekends – how late I stay out and how late I sleep in.
What is your plan for today, this week and this year?
My plan for today and the rest of the week is to be productive and catch up on a lot of procrastinated work. As for this year, I plan on traveling, working, learning German, and to be in Berlin for New Years!
Dress – Mel Redmer @melredmer Belt – Figure of A @figureofa Ring – COALESCED @coalesced.berlin Sunglasses – Model’s Own First look: Shirt – Tanja Christiani @tanjachristiani Bracelet & Earrings – FEMMINA Jewellery @femmina_jewellery
Retropxssy @teletubbycustard
Where are you originally from?
I’m retropxssy, an artist from London. I rap.
What brought you here?
I came to Berlin to play a show with my boyfriend who I work with.
What is Berlin to you?
In the past, Berlin to me has been wild, sexy, hedonistic. Now I’m here on ‘business’ (I’m also finishing of my debut album this weekend) so it’s been different. But still a really big pleasure. Berlin is a better city to skate in than London, so we’ve just been skating around and eating falafel sandwiches. Morning, noon and night.
Tell us your daily rituals: Weekday vs weekend
My daily rituals, every day – music, skating, and stretching when I I wake up – I started last year – it’s changed my life!
What is your plan for today, this week and this year?
My plan for today, like every day, is to do at least one thing to move towards being able to make music full time, it’s all I want to do.
Danai @danainyandoroh
Where are you originally from?
I’m from Harare, Zimbabwe originally, England’s my second home, spent half my life there so I have close connection place.
Define your nationality for us.
People from Zimbabwe are resilient, the country has been through a lot since independence in 1980, 3 failed economies we’re still surviving, really forces you to be resourceful as a person, making the best of what you have, it keeps you on your feet, rawest form of creativity I feel, naturally sustainable mentality haha.
What brought you here?
Alongside being daddy I’m a creative entrepreneur, I seek make connections and create as much as possible with like minds, hence make the world a better place.
What is Berlin to you?
Berlin is freedom, possibility and experimental. It gives you the ability to express yourself, It’s the best testing ground as an artist, I feel you can discover yourself in this city and not get as much judgement from your peers and people in comparison to other metropolitan type of cities.
What is your favorite flavor of the city?
Chocolate 😅
Favorite thing to eat after a night out?
Doner Kebab, Let’s get It!!!
Tell us your daily rituals: Weekday vs weekend
Weekdays first thing I do is yoga and some meditation to balance myself, it’s important to me to approach the day with a clear mind. Weekends consists of reflection and getting my boogie on.
What is your plan for today, this week and this year?
Today I’m working on new fashion illustrations for my new collection. For the following year I’m working on Parsley Produce, a farming project I’m staring in Zimbabwe start of 2020, we’ll be producing sustainable fruit and veg for the local market and export, I’m very excited with the direction I’m going in.
Coat – Masha Maria @mashawithmaria Pants – Parsley Studios @parsleystudios Sunglasses – Dress Your Mind @dressyourmind
Daisy @daisybradford
Where are you originally from?
Scotland
Define your nationality for us.
This has always been somewhat of a difficult question for me. Coming from Scotland, but having grown up for many years in Australia and then moving to Berlin at just 18, it’s hard to pinpoint where I feel most at home. My nondescript accent doesn’t help either in binding me to a particular place.
What brought you here?
I moved to Berlin initially for a couple of reasons; I was signed to a modeling agency here and I wanted to learn German, but the main reason was that I had just finished school and had no idea what I wanted to do career-wise. I was attracted to the lifestyle in Berlin and believed I could freely discover my creative side here, that of which I’m doing!
What is Berlin to you?
Freedom. Freedom to express whoever it is that you are without judgment!
What is your favorite flavor of the city?
With the huge Turkish influence in Berlin, it’s hard to go past the Turkish cuisine. There’s nothing better than grabbing a falafel wrap and mango Ayran.
Favorite thing to eat after a night out?
This is probably a boring answer but fruit! Always!
Tell us your daily rituals: Weekday vs weekend
A ritual that I carry out religiously during the week would have to be something as simple as my morning coffee! I have a few friends who live just minutes away, so we usually meet up early at our local coffee shop. My weekend is usually fairly packed with social commitments. It wouldn’t be a weekend without spending Sunday on the dance floor! I much prefer clubbing during the day as I’m full of energy, so Sunday’s I’ll wake up really early and head to one of my favourite Berlin clubs.
What is your plan for today, this week and this year?
My plan for today is pretty relaxed, just catching up with friends and doing a short bar shift. For this week, I’ve been getting really in to photography, it has mainly been a way to create content for my jewellery brand but I’ve been spending a lot of time on it and really enjoying the ride. My plans for this year is a tough one. I’m extremely spontaneous, so that’s really unknown. I’d love to keep working on making jewellery and hopefully have a few stockists by the end of the year!
Dress & Coat – Mel Redmer @melredmer Rings & Cuff – Mies Nobis @miesnobis Earrings – FEMMINA Jewellery @femmina_jewellery
Coat – Masha Maria @mashawithmaria Pants – Mel Redmer @melredmer Rings & Earrings – FEMMINA Jewellery @femmina_jewellery
dress & Beanie – Cinnamon Concept @cinnamonconcept Harness & Bag – Figure of A @figureofa Rings – Mies Nobis @miesnobis Sunglasses – Dress Your Mind @dressyourmind
Harry @cats_i_met_overseas
Where are you originally from?
Australia/German.
Define your nationality for us.
Accepting! It’s tough to define what it means to be Australian as we’re very multicultural.
What brought you here?
Transition periods between work.
What is Berlin to you?
Probably the coolest city I’ve ever been to.
What is your favorite flavor of the city?
Vietnamese?
Favorite thing to eat after a night out?
Vietnamese?
Tell us your daily rituals: Weekday vs weekend
When you have no job it’s all the same.
What is your plan for today, this week and this year?
Today: Reading This week: Studying This year: Hopefully having fun at some point?
Pullover – Mel Redmer @melredmer Pants – Model’s Own Necklace – FEMMINA Jewellery @femmina_jewellery Rings – Sade Blake @sadeblakeshop Sunglasses – Dress Your Mind @dressyourmind
Arash @aborderline
Where are you originally from?
Tehran, Iran
Define your nationality for us.
Rich and exotic
What brought you here?
Work
What is Berlin to you?
Freedom
What is your favorite flavor of the city?
Bitter sweet
Favorite thing to eat after a night out?
Falafel and Haloumi
Tell us your daily rituals: Weekday vs weekend
Weekday: Get up, clean my room, get some work done (emails, projects, etc.), make lunch, work a bit more, Full sing along session with spontaneous choreography, Netflix (with or without the chill), sleep, repeat
Weekend: every day is lazy Sunday, sleep till noon, make fabulous lunch, outdoor activity, power nap, ready for a night full of wonders.
What is your plan for today, this week and this year?
Job interview, Survive, Reach and maintain my desired amount of Sass
Sweater & Coat – Mel Redmer @melredmer Necklace – FEMMINA Jewellery @femmina_jewellery Sunglasses – Dress Your Mind @dressyourmind