As my time in Europe winds down, today I decided to share some photos and experiences from my trip. Apart from spending the first four weeks learning German, I went to Berlin for the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and to Hamburg to work on my blog with a photographer. Both cities are completely different and both lovely at the same time. Here are a few things that I found interesting and necessary to know as a fashionista and traveller:
Prostitution and the sex shops – You can joke about sex with your friends or even have one of those crazy hen nights, but being on a high street and seeing the same amount of sex shops and brothels as restaurants is absolutely crazy. I really enjoy staying in central locations when I’m in a big city but I could never have imagined a hotel, dental surgery and a high society brothel being in the same building. I experienced a slight shock, but it was really refreshing to experience a society that truly believes in supply and demand. If you ever visit
Germany, please read up on this aspect and ensure you are completely comfortable with it because you will be confronted with it at some point or the other. The displays are super explicit and take some getting used to if you were born and raised in Guyana or anywhere in the Caribbean for the matter. It took me a really long time to stop saying ‘Oh my Goodness’. However, after a while it started to become as normal as buying milk in the supermarket.
Ageing population – Germany has an ageing population. In many ways, in comparison to the UK and the Netherlands what you may think is fun is not really considered as fun there. Clubbing is non-existent as far as I am concerned. The recreational facilities are not in full boom if you are in your 20s but that is if we have similar tastes when it comes to entertainment. Germany’s ageing population may also be the reason why it is trying to introduce tuition-free university degrees to some internationals. They need to have more people in the workforce to pay the pensioners. If you are thinking to meet a bunch of young people in their 20s all at once you have to look really hard. Sorry but that is just the situation.
Boring fashion – Germans like to save. No one goes around saying they bought this or that. They do not have a consumerism lifestyle. Also because of the ageing population, it’s not your typical fashion destination. It’s not an attractive market for major high street brands and such. If you are looking for a holiday to relax and not feel pressured to buy like a retail queen, pick Germany. I can guarantee you their display windows wouldn’t really move you.
Luxury shopping – If you fancy going down the expensive lane, smaller cities like Bremen which is bigger than Cardiff couldn’t be bothered to have say, a Flannels Shop. You will definitely need to go a bigger city like Hamburg or Berlin.
Overall Germany’s retail industry is a true reflection of the market’s need. If you ask me, it’s the perfect place if you want a retail break. It’s actually the first place where I felt weird treating myself
I got the chance to work with Nadja Ramsaroop while I was in Hamburg. She did a small photo diary of me. I’m going to Amsterdam this weekend to check out the red light district, the canals and the special coffee shops. I am super excited. Follow me on http://instagram.com/theonlinerunway and https://twitter.com/theonlinerunway for updates.www.online-runway.com
