Brooke Bishop has ten years of experience in the fashion industry under her belt – and a passion for beautiful bags. As Head of Marketing & PR at the bag brand Liebeskind Berlin, the Texan knows all about the importance of the bag as an accessory – and now knows the best addresses for Berlin’s hottest currywurst.
FACES: You work for Liebeskind Berlin. What’s the greatest thing about this brand?
Brooke Bishop: Liebeskind Berlin is making big waves in the leather bag market. Not only is the brand’s energy very strong, but also its efforts in terms of sustainable production and sustainable design, which is absolutely forward-looking for the industry. The most amazing thing about Liebeskind Berlin is its inclusivity. Our designs are for anyone and everyone with a Berlin mentality. This starts with our employees and extends to the consumers who wear our designs.
F: What is the DNA of Liebeskind Berlin?
BB: We believe in a culture that encourages discovery and bold thinking. The strong contrasts of Berlin are reflected throughout the brand. Our designs are unique and individual, fearless and unstoppable – just like our city.
F: How would you describe the typical style of Liebeskind Berlin?
BB: Our style is bold yet effortless, we live for contrasts. Our designs are fashion statements and everyday companions that can be worn from morning to night. You can never go wrong with one of our designs.
F: What problem in the fashion industry makes you particularly sad?
BB: Fast fashion and one-time-wear pieces are completely out of fashion. The fashion world and its consumers are becoming increasingly aware and sensitive to the issue of waste and wasteful consumption. This is one of the reasons why we at Liebeskind Berlin are committed to sustainable fashion design.
F: How many bags do you actually need?
BB: I actually hear this question very often. Having worked in the fashion and handbag industry for over ten years, I had far too many bags in my closet. I recently reduced my collection to the essentials. The perfect combination is important: a bag for going out, a reliable companion for the office, a nice weekender for spontaneous outings in the sun and a solid everyday companion that makes even a casual look a little more fashionable. Everything else is extra!
F: Where does Liebeskind Berlin produce, and do you know every part of your production chain?
BB: We have our production facilities in many places around the world. The latest production for The Edit collection is located in Italy. We know every step of our production chain, and you can find all the information directly on our website! Transparency is very important to us.
“Fast fashion and one-time-wear items are completely out of fashion.”
F: How have consumer demands changed in recent years?
BB: Our consumers have become much more environmentally aware and pay attention to the materials and supply chains behind the brands they like to buy. At Liebeskind Berlin, we work hard to increase the sustainability of all our products and services. We are proud to announce that as of this year, all our leather bags are made from Leather Working Group certified leather. And with the new AW2022 season, all our cotton and linen linings will be made from organic cotton. We also work with recycled nylon and denim, have reduced our paper consumption and offer a sustainable shipping option on our website.
F: How do you make the world a little better every day?
BB: Spreading positivity, being thoughtful and having a good time is not only incredibly important to me personally, but is also in line with Liebeskind Berlin’s mentality. The positive aspects of the Berlin mentality and consideration for our impact on the environment is what drives us to create beautiful designs and share them with the world. Berlin is so unique, lively and constantly on the move. Embodying and spreading this energy makes every day a little bit better.
F: Liebeskind is known for its bags. Do it-bags still exist, or is the term outdated?
BB: Every bag can be an it-bag. It just depends on how and with what attitude it is worn.
F: In your opinion, what makes a good bag?
BB : A good bag is one that you reach for every time you leave the house. We all have that one bag, our favorite piece that we can pair with any outfit and still look effortlessly chic.
F: Vegan leather, alternatives made from apple or pineapple: How do you at Liebeskind view alternatives to conventional animal leather?
BB: Liebeskind Berlin is always on the lookout for sustainable alternatives to leather and is constantly testing different options. In the case of leather, however, most alternatives are also very harmful to the environment and even less sustainable than our current process. So the search continues! However, we create many designs with recycled nylon and denim!
F: What needs to change in the fashion industry in the coming years?
BB: We need to become more aware of our production and consumption habits and find ways to reuse and recycle.
F: What is your favorite place in Berlin?
BB: I’m a Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte girl. There are so many cool restaurants, cafés and brunch spots here.
F: Which Berlin restaurant do you take your friends to and which one do your parents go to?
BB: Berlin is full of culinary hotspots, Ora, Julius (Ernst), Frea, Shi Shi, Kink and Michelberger are some of my favorites, just to name a few, and the Baret, from whose roof you have a wonderful view over the city. Since I’m originally from Texas, I take my parents on a currywurst test drive through the city, because for non-Berliners it’s a real experience.
F: Which Berlin attraction is not worth its hype, and where do we absolutely have to go?
BB: Once you’ve seen the historical highlights, the hype dies down a little. The beauty of Berlin, however, is that every neighborhood has its own hidden treasures, and for visitors to the city, the parks and lakes in the west of Berlin are a must-see in summer.
F: What else do you really want to get rid of?
BB: Fashion is not just an object, but an unspoken self-awareness. There is no one right way, fashion is unique and individual.
