Nature is omnipresent. With Numinous, Danny Reinke presented a collection at Berlin Fashion Week that understands the forest not as a mere backdrop, but as an independent, living force. The space had an an almost ritualistic atmosphere, carried by live music, subdued lighting and a clear narrative dramaturgy. The collection moves between prĂŞt-Ă -couture and sculptural designs whose silhouettes convey both protection and fragility. Volume meets precise tailoring, elongated lines encounter fragmented forms. Coats, dresses and ensembles made of faux fur and virgin wool play a central role. Almost alive, they appear like animalistic beings emerging from the darkness, attentively observing the space.
Materiality sits at the core of the design. Reinke creates rich surface textures through a deliberate mix of tulle, sheer fabrics, and recycled and deadstock textiles. Some pieces appear intentionally unfinished. They feel organic, like moments captured mid-process. Voluminous tulle shapes and oversized ruffles suggest constant movement. Their forms resist clear definition. This tension between structure and dissolution continues in the facial designs. Crafted from intricate leather patchwork and pearl applications, they draw inspiration from Edvard Munch and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. The results feel surreal and emotionally charged, oscillating between inner tension and raw expression.
A key element of the collection lies in self-woven fabrics made from collected leftover materials. Ropes, wool, felt and leather remnants, raffia and various natural materials merge into new, autonomous textiles. Hand-knitted sweaters, hats, gloves and coarse-textured accessories add a layer of protection and warmth. Light, chiffon-like fabrics settle like morning mist over heavy textures, partially dissolving them and creating fleeting contrasts. This results in the image of a collection that oscillates between nature and artifice, between external reality and inner perception – mysterious, raw and deeply emotional.
The color palette stays deliberately restrained and earthy. Shades of brown and grey set the tone, joined by mossy greens and other muted natural hues. White and cream appear sparingly, adding gentle highlights—like clearings in a forest. No single element dominates. The overall effect feels focused, calm, and atmospherically dense.
Live music by Bionics and the Wires played a central role in the staging. By generating sound in real time through plants, the collective turned nature itself into a musical agent—the forest finding its voice. Image, sound, space, and material merged to create an atmosphere of intimacy, unease, and reverence. The Numinous runway thus became more than a fashion show: it was an immersive encounter where clothing, nature, and technology spoke to one another.
The collaboration with Sungyi Lee of WALA DESIGN LAB opens a dialogue between distinct creative positions within the collection. Her work introduces a personal formal language and material aesthetic that makes visible the exchange between different cultural perspectives on nature and spirituality. Sungyi Lee, founder of WALA DESIGN LAB, represents a holistic design philosophy in which space, material and atmosphere are conceived as a coherent experience. Her work combines architectural clarity with emotional depth and a strong sense for narrative. Sustainable materials, precise craftsmanship and a conscious reduction to the essential lie at the center of her practice.
The collaboration between Danny Reinke and Sungyi Lee is grounded in a shared understanding of design as an expression of responsibility, identity and context. At WALA DESIGN LAB, design goes beyond surface aesthetics; it is a lived attitude, aiming to create spaces that have impact while remaining sensitive in their use of resources.
