Kerstin Weng, head of editorial content for Vogue Germany, made a bold fashion statement on Monday at Vogue’s first-ever Forces of Fashion event in Berlin. Wearing a crochet sweater emblazoned with the Kurdish flag, designed by Berlin-based Sezgin Kivrim, Weng’s outfit drew a strong reaction, particularly from the Kurdish community.
In her address, Weng expressed surprise at the overwhelming response, saying, “I had no clue what this means to you guys. The love I’m receiving from the Kurdish community is truly touching.” She elaborated on her reasons for the choice, highlighting her support for young German designers and acknowledging the significant Kurdish diaspora in Germany.
Weng also linked her outfit to broader socio-political concerns, addressing the rise of anti-immigration sentiment and right-wing movements in Germany. Finally, she invoked the memory of Jîna Mahsa Amini, marking two years since her death and reinforcing the call for ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ (Woman, Life, Freedom).
