Do you have vacations, weddings, dinner parties or simply a few relaxing days at the lake ahead of you this summer weekend? Thinking through wardrobe ideas for your plans and somehow everything feels a bit uninspired? Are you silently lurking the desire for a bit of spark between favorite sweaters and last season’s bikini? Then here come two young, fresh and sustainable pop-ups for that certain je ne sais quoi in August. Tomorrow and Saturday (29 & 30.07.2023), Alessandra Corbettas invites you for the second time to browse and find pieces on-site with her highly exclusive Sand Archivio. From 90s Prada, 00s Missoni to 2022s Balenciaga. Corbetta manages such a meticulous selection that it’s impossible to choose. Large parts of their archive are only rented out for movies and galas, making it all the nicer to have the chance to own a piece. If the impossible happens to you and you leave without a treasure in hand, maybe the next weekend is worth it: On 04 and 05.08.2023, three great projects have joined forces in one place. The Slow Label, specializing in timeless key pieces, subtle statement pieces and high quality with an ethical green approach, and the two carefully selected designer vintage projects Freja-Studios and Versa, the latter with a focus on Scandinavian freshness can each be found at Helka Ceramics. At your leisure, look, touch, try on. In no time you’ll find the slow Saturday is over and perhaps also the boredom in your closet.

Text: Alina Herbel / Photos: Carmen Colombo & Jordan Wood for The Slow Label

Sand Archivio, Mehringdamm 79, 10965 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Pop–up 29. & 30.07.2023 12–20h

The Slow Label, Freja & Versa at Helka Ceramics. Böckhstr.12, 10967 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Pop–up 04. & 05.08.2023 12–20h

@sandarchivio
@theslowlabel
@frejastudios
@versa_2ndhand
@helkagram

There are always good wine shops around the corner in Berlin. But Wine Damager, a small bottle shop near Rosenthaler Platz, is particularly friendly. This is in no small part due to its cordial owner, German rapper Tony D (real name Mohamed Ayad) who you may know from a different context. The Kreuzberg native was part of record label Aggro Berlin in the noughties and made a whole generation roar with songs like “Wo sind die Gegnaz”. Later, Tony entered the food and drink business and discovered his love of wine. He immersed himself in the scene, made friends with winemakers and pursued wines that interested him. In 2019, he graduated from the sommelier school in Koblenz with distinction and founded Wine Damager as a pop-up two years later. “I really enjoyed the wine trade and everything that goes with it,” Tony says. The venture has now found a permanent home on Brunnenstraße, with orange signage that shines down on the Mitte asphalt.

Inside, you’ll find classic bottles as well as natural wines from France and Germany. Tony has a soft spot for vineyards in Baden, but you’ll find bottles from all over. In July 2023 the shop became the exclusive Berlin stockist of Lukas Hammelmann, a winemaker in the Palatinate who produces excellent Riesling, Pinot Noir and rosé. As you browse through the bottles, hip hop plays on the sound system: Tony remains true to himself, no matter what sphere he’s moving in. He is well connected in his new neighborhood, regularly organizing events with neighboring establishments like Volk. Keep your eyes peeled: the next event will be when the shop celebrates its two-year anniversary in August.

Text: Laura Storfner / Photos: Savannah van der Niet

Wine Damager, Brunnenstr.7, 10119 Berlin–Mitte; map
Tue–Fri 13–20h, Sat 11–19h

@wine.damager