” A small light shines in the dark. There on the horizon.
Light, warm and tempting – it attracts us.
Seeking safety, we set off to find it.
No valley is too deep, no mountain too high. Finally near enough, enthralled by the
magic light, we give in to our urge to rub our eyes.
And then only do we notice: It is not the kind of light we were expecting.
Instead, we see a breath-taking flower. It emits light and warmth and fascinates us
even more than the light did before.
All wounds are healed, all worries have disappeared.
We forget time and space.
We are here and now.
We are.“
As you may assume when reading the title of this collection, Marcel Ostertag dedicates his Fall Winter 2024 collection ‘Flowers in the dark‘ to flowers. They are often interpreted as symbols for peace, love, hope and elegance. Furthermore they depict that the circle of life always goes on. When they bloom, they radiate hope and positive spirit to their surrounding. Their positive energy recharges our batteries and lets us stay positive when times get tough.
When you clearly observe the striking prints of this lavish line, you will recognize an ocean of various colourful, bold, blooming flowers. This precious print choice puts us in a blithe, optimistic mood. This season it was even more important for Marcel Ostertag to focus on an even more colourful set. Therefore the designer encourages his audience to stay positive and look with lots of courage into the future. This powerful colour cocktail can be understood as a strong message to stay optimistic.
For next season, the Berlin-based designer used the influence of his customers as his inspiration. As he needed to make personal appointments with them during the pandemic, he got to know them better and also built a close contact with many of them. It was exactly this close contact that inspired him to create this tailor-made collection for true personalities. Therefore he decided this season anew that not only classic models, but also his muses, which are sometimes also his customers, should present his designs on the catwalk. Thus, this collection can be understood as a celebration of women of all ages and all shapes. As a result, Marcel Ostertag has built new networks. That is why his label could build a healthy grow despite the economically difficult times.
During the design process, the question that Marcel Ostertag had in mind was the following: “Does a collection always need a guiding thread and must it always please the general taste? Or can a design be tailor-made for a specific person and still become a bestseller?“ While having this question in mind, he also stayed true to his significant style: wearable yet extraordinary pieces which stand out because of their sustainable background. Another important point for the designer is that the looks always stay affordable. What must not be missing in each line are powerful prints and the most striking, eye-popping hues.
“From a very early age on, I loved creating fashion with my hands. Today, it is not only my passion and my profession – it is my life’s mission that fulfills me. I have to be creative in order to exist. My label is my baby. No: Our label is our baby.“ With “our” he means his husband Markus who is the manager of the joint concept store in Berlin.
The colour palette of this range takes its inspiration from vibrant tones that exist in nature as well: vibrant pink and mystical purple team up with dynamic fuchsia. Mint, peach and chartreuse let the runway shine. Light green and magic midnight blue build a wonderful contrast. A suit that is kept in bold turquoise is a strong statement. In addition to that, some timeless, classy tones must not be missing as well, such as night black, cream, off-white and old pink. These timeless classics are a great pick for every wardrobe. The overall image of the looks stays rather bold and that is why the whole set feels like a true energy boost.
The sophisticated looks of this line literally invite you to touch them and feel at ease. The glamorously swinging dresses are enduringly flattering the female silhouette. Therefore they embody a clear message to our minds: on the one hand they radiate a romantic, nostalgic feeling. On the other hand they stand for new destinations, desire and gratitude.
This lavish line often awakens memories and desires. That is certainly one of Marcel Ostertag’s talents: to listen to the desires and wishes of his audience and translates them into the language of fashion.
The large, colourful flower prints are true eye-catchers and give the outfits a highly elegant, graceful approach. Flowers appear as applications as well, for instance on a long, nougat coloured trenchcoat. Caftans, swinging dresses, blouse dresses, maxi-coats and suits are often shown in the most exciting combinations. Numerous styles are focused on the waist. Therefore the feminine character of these outfits is underlined. Sequins in pink and burgundy create the most glamorous, festive styles. They also sparkle with the flower prints made of tiny sequins. Some designs shine in all-over-print whereas others contain single maxi-flowers. Bright colours can be noticed in his menswear creations as well, for instance one look is kept in bright fuchsia. Worth of mentioning is also the very special detail-awareness of this line: ruffless, bows, zippers – we mention it, this collection contains it all!
Marcel Ostertag’s creations are paired with Bijou Brigitte jewellery. The precious pieces the designer chose perfectly round off his looks. Matching the collections theme, the eye-catching jewellery he selected contains of many colourful, sparkling flowers. Furthermore the designer created a collection for smartphone cases and accessoires with the international brand Casetify. These accessoires were also present on the runway. For this cooperation Marcel Ostertag focuses on bright colours and positive energy. On February 07, 2024, the new Marcel Ostertag x Mister Spex glasses line will be available online and in stores. On the runway we could already witness some glamorous glasses of this line. Inspired by the glamour of the ’70s, they perfectly matched the mood of this set.
The show has been a part of W.E4. Fashion Day. The purpose of each show is to sell a certain amount of tickets and donate the proceeds to different charity projects. Marcel and his team decided to donate their proceeds to three different animal sanctuaries. In June 2023, Marcel and Markus Ostertag adopted two female dogs from an animal shelter and gave them a new, loving home. Marcel Ostertag supports the “Don’t shop – adopt” campaign and encourages people to adopt animals from animal shelters. Many of these animals wait for years until they get adopted. They deserve exactly the same love and support like any other animal. During their private journey, the couple often visits animal welfare organizations, such as the shelter “Place for Strays” near Albufeira in Portugal. It is a project which is very close to Marcel’s heart and has to be mentioned regulary to make sure these animals get the necessary attention, find foster families and new forever homes. With the proceeds of this show, Marcel Ostertag supported “TVB – Tierheim Berlin”, the “Place for Strays – Streunerhilfe e.V.” and the animal sanctuary “4 Happy Paws e.V.”.
The hairstyles of the models were created in a cool, modern way. They are perfectly matching each type. The make-up of the female models is focused on bold lips. Powerful looks for powerful people.
“Flowers in the dark” captivates us due to its highly sophisticated, glamorous and timeless approach. It can be interpreted as a celebration of life and fashion in the most striking hues. Once more Marcel Ostertag focuses on a sustainable, endlessly elegant line that you can wear for many years.
Review by Sussan Zeck for DSCENE Magazine
All Images Courtesy of Marcel Ostertag
