As we previously reported, the big Berlin-based e-tailer bought the bankrupt Bread & Butter trade show in the former Tempelhof airport of the German capital a few months ago, saying that it was planning to turn the event into a big consumer-oriented fashion festival. It has now announced the cancellation of next January's edition.
The official reason is that Zalando has decided to organize instead a charity concert together with suppliers to collect aid for refugees, as public authorities in Berlin Senate have suggested that they may need Tempelhof to register or accommodate refugees and thus cope with the mounting immigration flow. Zalando has already made a donation of shoes and clothing through the Red Cross for more than 1,000 refugees at an emergency shelter in Karlshorst.
Observers believe that Zalando was unable to garner enough support for its consumer festival, but evidently, a fashion party would not have been suited for the refugee situation. Quoting a spokesman for the e-tailer, Zalando has simply postponed the project to next summer.
The next summer edition of the Berlin Fashion Week will take place earlier, running from June 28 to July 1. The major fashion fairs - including Panorama, Premium, Seek, Show & Order, Green Showroom and the Ethical Fashion Show - have agreed to the new dates.
