I have been keeping a very beady eye on the Karstadt New Generation awards held during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin for some great new talent emerging.

The winner of the award this year was Marcel Ostertag, a Central St Martins graduate, who won for his womenswear collection.

Of Marcel it could be said his approach for his A/W 08 collection was a little schizophrenic with what seems like very little cohesion present. However, I personally think that sometimes a little madness goes a long way. Perhaps the lack of any singular theme running through the collection is merely a result of his young age – he is, after all, still in his 20s. Most guys in their 20s don’t know if they want a shit or a haircut, so why should it be any different for a designer?

The boy clearly likes texture and most importantly: fun. There are feathers, ruffles and tiers in PVC and lamé aplenty. Metallics nestle alongside wool and soft jersey, and volume plays an important role with puff sleeve jackets, bubble skirts and fluted sleeves. There are a few nods to various eras, such as the 70s, with a long, flowing yellow hostess gown Margo Ledbetter would be proud to wear, some vaguely Victorian-esque leg-o-mutton sleeves and some disco-ready 80s lamé.

Marcel certainly has good things ahead of him.

QUEEN MICHELLE