Up close and personal with model Julia Stegner

With the haute couture shows unfolding in Paris and Berlin Fashion Week kicking off tomorrow, fashion season is officially back in full swing and we couldn't be more excited. To mark the event, instyle.co.uk caught up with model Julia Stegner, the face of Berlin Fashion Week, to get the low-down on the upcoming shows and her favourite looks.

What do you find special about Berlin?

For me, it’s very special to be here at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin because it’s in Germany. I think it’s the only fashion week in Germany that has international flair, and that people recognise internationally. I love Berlin, I think it’s a great city. One of my best friends lives here so I’m always happy to come and be able to visit her. And, in general, I just think Berlin is so young and creative, it’s the perfect place to have this event.

What do you see as the major trends for Spring / Summer 2009 and Autumn / Winter 2009?

In the summer we saw lots of colours, which I think is great. I always wear black-and-white, so I’m actually trying to wear more colour. I’m guessing that winter might go a little more black-and-white, and brownish. But there are a lot of designers who, especially since we’re in a recession, try to make people happy. That means wearing colour, so maybe Autumn / Winter will be colourful, who knows? That could be nice too.

Do you think the recession has had a big effect on fashion?

I think it does have an effect, I hope it won’t be too big, but obviously everybody’s affected [by the recession]. In general I think people always want to feel good. When they feel bad, they want to feel good, and when they want to feel good: they buy clothes. So hopefully that will help all the designers.

Do you have a favourite designer here?

I think Michael Michalsky is really cool, I think Lala Berlin is cool, and Killian Kerner. There are so many designers, and so many young designers too, which I think is great, and they have a platform here to show their clothes, it’s amazing. 

Apart from Boss Black, which other shows will you be walking in?

That’s the only show that I’m going to do, because I’m going to Paris now to do a couture show. Then I’m coming back to Berlin tomorrow and doing the Hugo Boss show.

Why did you choose to be the brand ambassador for this event?

Well, they asked me and I think it’s a big honour to be the brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz. The cars are so stylish and chic, and I think they’re a perfect match for fashion.