The 2024 edition no6 less is inspired by the feeling of restriction and pressure to fit into pre existing molds. No6 less emphasizes the philosophy of reduction and the act of letting go. — less pressure, less form, and less adherence to social norms and prejudices. It’s a response to the overwhelming rules, norms, and noise that pervade our lives.
reduce. relax. release. less
The newest edition embodies our latest effort to eliminate waste and incorporate zero-waste principles into our designs. In this collection, natural materials such as cotton, linen, hemp, and raw silk melt into a selection of high-quality reworked vintage items. Other pieces incorporate deadstock and archive fabrics, re-woven textiles, fabric yarn from recycled T-shirt waste, and certified regional 100% pure new wool. Special pieces in the collection include reworked oversized knitted sweaters, deconstructed and playfully re-knitted with regional wool. Fragments of clothing appear detached, revealing the creative process through unconven- tional solutions like open edges and loose threads.
Deconstructed classic stripe patterns are hand screen-printed in our Berlin studio using eco-friendly Ökotex Standard 100 certified pigments. Softly dissolving prints, intuitive plant-dyed batik textiles in earthy brown and rose shades and wide and flowing silhou- ettes emphasize the concept of letting go of control.
The size-inclusive and gender-fluid pieces adapt to various body shapes with relaxed and adjustable cuts, playing with comfortab- le volume. Each item invites wearers to experience the freedom of less
—less prejudice, less pressure, and more authenticity.
In this edition, the creative process takes center stage, each piece tells a story of liberation and authenticity, inviting wearers to embrace their individuality and celebrate the beauty of imperfection.
The less edition will be showcased in a 100 m2 pop-up space, inviting the public to explore and purchase the collection. This space draws attention to the repurposing of materials and ownership, creating an environment where visitors can feel, touch, and see the products crafted by otherwise often unheard voices. It’s a space of surprises and new experiences.
The collection includes over 100 unique textile pieces, ceramic objects, and bags, handmade in Berlin by approximately 100 young people over two years. 100% of the proceeds from the collection are reinvested into the project.
Social fashion by at-risk youth
People is a social fashion label based in Berlin.
Together with fashion designers and creatives, young people between the ages of 13 and 27 work on editions that explore contem- porary themes that are relevant to them. In addition to clothing, the editions include accessories, ceramics and design objects that give shape and voice to the young people‘s ideas. In yearly editions the participants question social norms and their own social role and create a space to artistically express questions about their own identity. Building on the influences from their life on the streets of Berlin they create fashion with a meaning.
People establishes a social fashion concept that consciously locates itself in the seemingly elitist fashion system. The label functions as a creative space that explores how fashion can be democratised and what it can offer us as a society and community. People critically challenges the conventional structures of a fashion label and redesigns them with their protagonists: kids who‘s life centers around the streets of Berlin and young people with an addiction background or mental illness engage with fashion and art and discover their own abilities.
They question expectations of supposed perfection in order to make the vulnerable, fragile, and seemingly imperfect visible – translated into high-quality design products that are deconstructed and reassembled beyond clothing norms.
The focus lies deliberately on the expressiveness of the clothing itself, while the designers can find protection in the anonymity
of the brand name. The young people themselves choose their role in the project, developing self-confidence without the need to fulfil society‘s expectations. It‘s not about what they can‘t do, but what they can do, for example the great asset to see and feel things other people can‘t feel and see. They explore their strengths and talents in a creative and artistic manner and experience that they are good and right, just as they are.
We believe that fashion has the power to create a change – many faces instead of one, many voices, usually unheard, expressed in common editions.
People is the sensual, the seemingly unnessecary – taking a break from pure survival mode into a state of calm, into something playful and positive.
Each piece in the People Edition is handmade in Berlin and is unique, with 100% of the proceeds going back into the project. Peo- ple is a project by KARUNA – Zukunft für Kinder und Jugendliche in Not Int. e.V., an innovative social organisation in Berlin that focuses its work on human proximity. The human rights organisation terre des hommes and the VW Employee Foundation have been supporting this vision of a more diverse future in fashion since 2015.
photos: Jana Gerberding
DOP: Jonas Reichert
HMU: Anna Neugebauer
models: Jarrod @wirsinduns + Winter @elixcasting