September 2008
Open House in the Federal Chancellery
Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel Thanks the Stiftung der
Deutschen Bekleidungsindustrie (German Apparel Industry
Foundation) for Its Work

German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel visited the booth of the Stiftung der Deutschen
Bekleidungsindustrie (German Apparel Industry Foundation) – SDBI – while touring the
exhibition "Innovation in Germany" during the "Open House" in the Federal Chancellery.
The non-profit foundation promotes gifted and needy designers of the next generation in the
fashion industry. As representative for all prize winners, SDBI presented the work of Bianca
Koczan to the 38,000 visitors. Her collection "Clothing Factory" won first prize of the
European Fashion Awards of SDBI from among 165 submissions in 2006.

"Clothing Factory" is her Master's thesis at Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and
Design, Halle, Germany. The work deals with the topic of men in blue as the "uniform of the
socialist worker milieu" (Koczan). In addition to a collection for men and women, she
created a business model with production and interdisciplinary work structures in Germany.
The authentic ready-to-wear collection is divided into “Gray” (basics, which leave room for
individual changes), “Print” (as fanciful and eye-catching counterpoint) and a bag and
bandana collection. The clothing is characterized by a comprehensive concept, which
examines the system of fashion in the form of a newspaper.
The German chancellor was clearly impressed that Bianca Koczan not only won the first
prize of the SDBI, but also the first prize of the German Study Prize of the Körber
Foundation. "Very, very good," Angela Merkel said as she warmly congratulated the young
fashion designer from Erfurt. "Thank you for your work," the German chancellor said when
she left to the representatives of the foundation, Anja Ulrich and Joachim Schirrmacher.
After the visit of the German chancellor, the SDBI presented its work on a stage in the park
of Federal Chancellery to visitors. "Innovations not only take place in large research
institutes, companies and associations in Germany, but also in creative industries to a great
extent, where individual designers and small teams contribute to shaping our future, as is the
case in Bianca Koczan's Label ‘vvork’," Project Manager Joachim Schirrmacher stated, "and
they do it mainly without subsidies."
Moderator Ingo Hoppe and the visitors were very surprised by the strength of German
fashion. "Germany is not only the second largest fashion market in the world. Approximately
half of all those studying fashion in Europe receive their education and training in Germany.
And Germans work in almost all international fashion companies in leading positions," Anja
Ulrich form the SBDI Executive Board stated. The conclusion was clear for moderator Ingo
Hoppe: "Our self-assurance with regard to fashion has increased this afternoon."
The German Apparel Industry Foundation
The non-profit "German Apparel Industry Foundation for the Promotion and Training of Upand-
Coming Designers in the Fashion Industry" (the official name in English) was founded
by the fashion entrepreneur Klaus Steilmann 30 years ago. Its sole purpose is future-oriented
promotion of gifted and needy designers of the next generation, and it plays a pioneering role
for design and industry thanks to its European Fashion Award "Fash", communication as
well as via its industry network. The prize is offered to students from more than 400 schools
in 20 countries with a topic, which changes annually. Conceptual work is supported and
promoted, because pure craftsmanship or formal-aesthetic product design is no longer
sufficient today. It is increasingly more a question of the sense than of the shape. The
shaping of entrepreneurial processes is also part of these processes, in addition to the
conception of products that gives them their sense. “Integrated product development, i.e., the
simultaneous development of products, communication and distribution, is decisive today for
continual success on the market,” Project Manager Joachim Schirrmacher stated.
The topic of the European Fashion Awards "Fash" for 2008 is called "Attitude". The task is
to design clothing in tune with the environment and social conditions, which provide
expression to both aesthetic and ethical attitudes.

From the reasons stated by the Jury of the SDBI:
The work of Bianca Koczan is practical and innovative, interdisciplinary, extremely varied
and powerful on a high international level. Ms. Koczan does not understand design as
superficial change as is so often the case, but instead as an expression of ethics and strategy.
With that, she demonstrates an intricate and very modern understanding of fashion.
Jury Member Joachim Schirrmacher, Journalist and Design Manager
From the laudatory speech of the Deutscher Studienpreis (German Thesis Award):
The work of Bianca Koczan shows an ideal connection between theory and practice
concerning the contest topic of the compatibility between work and life. "Clothing
Factory" is an exemplary work of how science and design can be linked intelligently and
consequently sets a standard, including for the specific viewpoint and approach of design
in research.
Julian Nida-Rümelin, Federal Minister (retired) and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of
the Deutscher Studienpreis (German Thesis Award)
www.sdbi.de
A big thank you for the support, which has made this presentation in the Federal
Chancellery possible in the first place:
ispo/Messe München GmbH, Munich
KaDeWe, Berlin
Loewe Opta GmbH, Kronach

Additional information, interview requests and pictures are available at:
Joachim Schirrmacher
Project Manager/Chairman of the Advisory Board
Stiftung der Deutschen Bekleidungsindustrie/German Apparel Industry Foundation
T +49 40 25 31 88 60
schirrmacher@sdbi.de

Sabine Kurz
Marketing Communications Manager
ispo Group
T +49 89 494 20610
kurz@ispo.com