Fashion School Berlin

What Fashion School Berlin does

Fashion School Berlin (legal name: Modeschule Berlin – Oberstufenzentrum Bekleidung und Mode) is a state-run upper-secondary vocational school (Oberstufenzentrum) located at Kochstraße 9 in central Berlin, directly at Checkpoint Charlie. The institution is organized as a public-law entity (Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts) under the supervision of the Berlin Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family (Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Familie) and offers vocational preparation, vocational training, and university qualification under a single roof. Its curriculum combines traditional textile and fashion craftsmanship with modern production techniques, and it claims approximately 40 years of accumulated experience in training textile professions.

The school delivers a structured portfolio of programs organized into two principal streams: full-time school-based vocational programs (Berufsfachschule) covering Modedesigner/in (3-year), Assistent/in für Mode & Design, Textil- und Modeschneider/in, Textil- und Modenäher/in, and a newly added Maßschneider/in (custom tailor) program launching in 2026/27; and the Berufsschule component of dual apprenticeships for Modist/in, Maßschneider/in, Textilreiniger/in, Täschner/in, and Schuhfertiger/in. Supporting pathways include Berufsvorbereitung (BvB), Internationale Berufsausbildung (IBA), Fachoberschule, and Willkommensklassen for newly arrived immigrants. Examinations are administered in cooperation with the Handwerkskammer Berlin (for tailor trades) and the IHK (for other dual programs). A student-run retail enterprise called Patchwork sells garments produced in class, and co-curricular activities include the annual Abschlussmodenschau graduation fashion show, the "Fresh it up" upcycling competition, Erasmus exchanges, and partnerships with schools in Namibia, Uzbekistan (via GIZ), and Sri Lanka.

The revenue model is not commercial. As a public institution, the school is primarily funded through the Berlin Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family; tuition is free for students, and programs are eligible for BAföG financial aid. A nominal ancillary revenue stream is generated through the student-run Patchwork retail shop. Marketing and recruitment rely on community-based channels — open days, secondary-school partnerships, Instagram, and Erasmus-driven international visibility — rather than paid acquisition. The school reports 11–50 employees and is led by principal (Schulleiter) Lutz Schmidt.

Name

Fashion School Berlin

Legal name

Modeschule Berlin – Oberstufenzentrum Bekleidung und Mode

Website

https://modeschule-berlin.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fashion School Berlin is a publicly funded vocational school in central Berlin that delivers fashion design, tailoring, and textile-craft programs (full-time and dual apprenticeships) to youth, examined by IHK and Handwerkskammer Berlin.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Fashion and Textile Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Fashion & Apparel Design Colleges (EDAHAJAF)

Keywords

• Vocational fashion education
• Textile craft training
• Dual apprenticeship programs
• Fashion design school
• Public vocational training

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Vocational Education Services: As a public educational institution (Anstalt des Öffentlichen Rechts), the school operates primarily through government funding. Additional revenue comes from the student-run business Patchwork, which sells fashion items created by students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Fashion School Berlin is a public upper-secondary vocational school (Oberstufenzentrum) that delivers tuition-free vocational training in fashion design, textile crafts, custom tailoring, and millinery through full-time school-based programs (Berufsfachschule) and dual apprenticeship tracks (Berufsschule). It also offers vocational preparation (BvB), international vocational training (IBA), welcome classes for newly arrived immigrants, and a Fachoberschule qualifying graduates for university entrance. The school combines classroom instruction with hands-on workshop training and partners with the Handwerkskammer Berlin and IHK for examinations.

Product overview

Fashion School Berlin (MODESCHULE Berlin) is a public upper-secondary vocational school (Oberstufenzentrum) in Berlin, Germany, offering a structured portfolio of full-time vocational programs and dual apprenticeship tracks in fashion, textile, and related craft disciplines. The core educational products are organized into two streams: (1) Berufsfachschule (full-time school-based vocational programs) including Modedesigner/in (3-year), Assistent/in für Mode & Design (1- or 2-year), Textil- und Modeschneider/in, Textil- und Modenäher/in, and the newly launched Maßschneider/in (3-year custom tailoring, 2026/27), and (2) Berufsschule (vocational school component of dual apprenticeships) for Modist/in (millinery), Maßschneider/in, Textilreiniger/in, Täschner/in, and Schuhfertiger/in. These are supplemented by the Berufsvorbereitung (BvB) and IBA (international preparation) pathways. Beyond formal programs, the school operates a student-run enterprise called Patchwork that sells handcrafted garments produced by students, providing real-world retail and production experience. Co-curricular offerings include the Modenschau-AG (fashion show working group), Dessous AG, Strick AG (knitting), Hut AG (millinery), Kalligrafie AG (calligraphy), Instagram AG, sustainability workshops, teambuilding events, and international study trips. The school also runs the 'Fresh it up' annual upcycling competition and participates in the Erasmus program for international exchanges. All programs are aligned with German vocational training standards and examined in cooperation with the Handwerkskammer Berlin (for tailor programs) or the Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK) for textile/näh programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Patchwork: Schülerfirma (student-run company) operated by students of the Modeschule Berlin, selling handmade textile products

Products and services

• Modedesigner/in (Berufsfachschule) 3-year full-time vocational program training students in fashion design, from concept development through to finished garment. Culminates in a state-recognised qualification and graduation fashion show.
• Assistent/in für Mode & Design (Berufsfachschule) 1- or 2-year full-time vocational program providing foundational training in fashion assistance and design support, including pattern making, material selection, and production coordination.
• Maßschneider/in (Berufsfachschule) 3-year full-time program training students as custom tailors, focusing on the production of individually fitted garments. Combines traditional handcraft techniques with modern manufacturing methods. First intake in school year 2026/27. Examinations administered by Handwerkskammer Berlin.
• Textil- und Modeschneider/in Full-time vocational program training students as textile and fashion cutters/sewers. Prepares students for the IHK (Industry and Commerce Chamber) final examination.
• Textil- und Modenäher/in Full-time vocational program in textile and fashion sewing, providing practical skills for garment manufacturing and alterations.
• Modist/in (Berufsschule) Dual apprenticeship program (Berufsschule component) training students as milliners/hatters. Combines practical training in craft businesses with theoretical instruction at the school.
• Maßschneider/in (Berufsschule – duale Ausbildung) Dual apprenticeship pathway for custom tailoring, where students train in craft businesses while attending Berufsschule for theoretical education.
• Fachoberschule (FOS) Upper-secondary technical school program (Fachoberschule) offering 1-year and 2-year tracks qualifying students for university entrance, with a practical focus on fashion and textiles.
• Berufsvorbereitung (BvB) Vocational preparation program for young people not yet ready for apprenticeships, providing foundational skills and orientation toward fashion and textile careers.
• Internationale Berufsausbildung (IBA) International vocational training program with an emphasis on preparing students for international careers in the fashion and textile industry, including foreign language competency and intercultural skills.
• Willkommensklassen Welcome classes providing language support and orientation for newly arrived immigrant students, facilitating integration into the regular vocational programs.
• Patchwork (Schülerfirma) Student-run retail enterprise selling handcrafted garments and accessories produced during training. Provides practical experience in product development, manufacturing quality control, and retail operations. Open to the public on the first Friday of each school term and at special events such as the Bazaar trade fair.
• Fresh it up (Upcycling-Wettbewerb) Annual sustainability-focused upcycling design competition in which students transform at least two school-produced garments into new wearable pieces. Judged by an external panel of designers, industry professionals, and museum experts. Winning entries are presented at the Open Day fashion show.
• Abschlussmodenschau (Graduation Fashion Show) Annual fashion show event in which graduating students present their collections to the public, industry professionals, and families. Serves as a showcase of student work and a bridge between education and industry.
• AGs, Workshops & Zusatzangebote Extra-curricular activity groups including Dessous AG (lingerie design), Strick AG (knitting), Modenschau-AG (fashion show production), Hut AG (millinery), Kalligrafie AG (calligraphy), Instagram AG, and professional development workshops such as 'Ausbilder*in werden' (becoming a trainer).
• Tag der offenen Tür (Open Day) Annual open day event, typically held in early March, offering prospective students and families hands-on workshops, fashion shows, study program presentations, and advice from current students and staff.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates successfully pass IHK (Industry and Commerce Chamber) examinations
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EPIZ! e.V. – Zentrum für Globales Lernen in BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Collaboration on international projects including delegation visit to Usbekistan with GIZ support for school partnerships.
• GIZ GmbH (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Supported international school partnership trip to Usbekistan with schools in Taschkent, Samarkand, and Buchara.
• Museum Europäischer Kulturen (MEK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on textile exhibitions and events. The school participates in the MEK's Textiltag and co-organizes projects. Also featured in Fast Fashion exhibition (SMB Museum).
• Handwerkskammer Berlin (Berlin Chamber of Crafts)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe chamber administers final examinations for Maßschneider/in programs. Provides industry connection and quality standards.
• Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministers final examinations for Modenäher/in, Modeschneider/in and other dual education programs.
• Windhoek College (Namibia)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner25-year partnership between the two capital cities; delegation visit in November to explore educational cooperation.
• Förderverein der Modeschule BerlinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting association that provides donations and prizes for student competitions like Fresh it up.
• Haus KreisauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides team-building workshops for classes to develop cooperation skills and personal strengths.
• Selyn Fair Trade (Sri Lanka)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFair trade handloom company visit; students learn about sustainable and fair trade textile production.
• Secondary Schools (Sekundarschulen)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorClose partnerships with secondary schools for student recruitment and transition support.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ESMOD Berlin: Berlin campus of the international ESMOD fashion school network, focused on fashion design and pattern-making. Comparable as a Berlin-based fashion design training provider with similar target audience.
• Lette Verein Berlin: Berlin-based vocational education institution with fashion/textile, IT, and healthcare programs. Most directly comparable peer because it combines fashion/textile vocational training with state-recognized credentialing in a single Berlin location.
• LDT Nagold (Mode Design): Private vocational fashion design school in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, offering project-based fashion design education. Comparable as a German vocational fashion design school with similar target demographic.
• AMD Akademie Mode & Design: Private German fashion design school network with campuses including Berlin, Düsseldorf, Munich, and Hamburg. Comparable as a Germany-based fashion education provider targeting similar creative-minded applicants via degree programs.

Broad incumbents

• Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin (HTW Berlin): Berlin public university of applied sciences offering fashion/textile design and related programs. Comparable as a Berlin public institution with overlapping fashion education offerings at degree level rather than vocational.
• Weissensee Kunsthochschule Berlin: Berlin art and design university with textile/surface design and fashion programs. Comparable as a Berlin-based design education provider but at higher-education (university) level rather than vocational.

Regional players

• Modeschule Hetzendorf: Vocational fashion school in Vienna, Austria, with comparable dual-track Berufsschule/Berufsfachschule structure in fashion and textile trades. Comparable peer operating in a neighboring geography rather than directly competing.

Others

• SRH Hochschule Berlin: Private university in Berlin with design-adjacent programs. Tangentially related as a Berlin higher education institution targeting similar creative-minded applicant pools, though not a direct competitor in fashion/textile trades.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/modeschuleberlin
• Facebookfacebook.com/OSZ.Bekleidung.und.Mode

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fashion School Berlin