Reference Festival Recap
by Adriano Batista
From January 21st to 23rd, the second edition of Reference Festival was staged on a virtual platform, Reference Realities. Under the theme of Navigating Parallel Realities, activations for the largest part were created in physical space and expanded digitally which attracted a global crowd of more than 28,000 people. It set the perspective for virtual events and experiences.
In absence of a crowd the Zeiss Major Planetarium in Berlin was the festival’s key physical venue which saw exclusive, one time performances by Die Hässlichen Vögel, while in partnership with Carhartt WIP, Bill Kouligas’ label PAN presented Anne Imhof & Eliza Douglas, ‘Act 1’ by MJ Harper & David Jainz styled by Stefano Pilati in Random Identities, Pan Daijing, and Amnesia Scanner whose show was enhanced by after-effects from Freeka Tet that came to life on referencerealities.com. Each performance was site-specific, conceived for the planetarium, and optimized for the environment of the platform. A live chat function enabled registered visitors to communicate and share the experience. Reference Festival became a space of virtual togetherness for like-minded people across the globe.
Organisers Reference Studios gallery space on Berlin Schoeneberg’s famous Potsdamer Strasse became another physical site of cultural content production. It hosted a multidisciplinary exhibition which included a selection of sculptures by Tobias Spichtig for Balenciaga, the launch of a collaborative side table by furniture design duo Chapel Petrassi x Mowalola, an edit of Endyma’s Helmut Lang archive curated by Michael Kardamakis, an interactive installation by creative collective Treffpunkt, an exclusive film screening by emerging designer’s PunkZec’s COLRS as well as the presentation of a suit by contemporary creative studio acte™ in collaboration with Sucuk & Bratwurst that was created for the event.
More detached from location were the film for GmbH’s FW21 ‘Welt am Draht’ collection, 032c’s 20th anniversary activation which sent LCD paneled trucks across Berlin, a purely virtual Blue Room created by EBIT™ (Enjoy Being in Transition) in collaboration with Michel Gaubert, and an experience by Lost Souls of Saturn (Seth Troxler & Phil Moffa) premiered and hosted at the platform’s planetarium stage. The platform proved seamless functionality throughout.
Reference Festival closed with the announcement of a prize for emerging talent in partnership with Slam Jam, that will roll out with further information and the introduction of its full committee in the next weeks. Slam Jam offers an incubator program, while Reference Studios takes on the winner’s PR. The prize highlights underrepresented voices, no degree or even formal education is required to enter. More context was created in panels by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Honey Dijon, with features from Soo Joo Park, Kenneth Ize, Michel Gaubert, Tiffany Godoy, Michael Kardamakis (ENDYMA), Iolo Lewis Edwards (High Fashion Talk), and Michelle Elie.
Carlota Barrera Spring/Summer 2021
Givenchy Spring/Summer 2021 Campaign
Aniele Stroz’s INSOMNIA collection finds its rhythm in the deep quiet of the night. It draws from those long, awake hours where thought takes over and the world feels different.
Some designs are more than just accessories. They are part of a story. The Saddle bag is one of those icons.
PUMA and New York-based designer Danielle Guizio are back with a new collection for 2025.
Take a look at Who Decides War Spring/Summer 2026 backstage, captured by the lens of Spencer Stovell during New York Fashion Week, in exclusive for Fucking Young!
Nike and Air Afrique, a creative collective from Paris, have created a new shoe. It is called the Air Max RK61.
Salomon’s new Road Trip capsule looks both ways. It draws from the brand’s own history while making sure every detail is suited for the present.
MM6 Maison Margiela has partnered with Agnelle, a French glove maker with a history stretching back to 1937.
COMME des GARÇONS Homme Plus and Nike introduce a new collaborative sneaker, the Air Rejuven8.
For Spring/Summer 2026, Palomo returned to Madrid. The setting was The Palace Hotel, an intimate presentation that marked a homecoming after several seasons in New York.
Smith will lead the creation of four collections each year, covering men’s shoes, leather goods, and accessories.
Gucci introduces a new sneaker, the Gucci Shift, designed for motion. It translates the House’s athletic history into a form made for the rhythm of now.
Setchu Perfume is a collection of five fragrances, each continuing the brand’s search for balance, joy, and strength.
Deep in the hills of Abruzzo, at a place called Villaggio Cirulli, a simple but powerful idea took shape: no one is just a number.
Take a look at Campillo’s Spring/Summer 2026 backstage, captured by the lens of Spencer Stovell during New York Fashion Week, in exclusive for Fucking Young!
FANG NYC made its New York Fashion Week debut with a Spring/Summer 2026 collection that drew a clear line from the past to a specific future.
Valentino Garavani and Vans unveiled the campaign images for its new collaboration.
ECKHAUS LATTA unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 collection during New York Fashion Week.
Ami Paris has unveiled a new staple for the wardrobe: the Mirage sneaker.
Peter Demas photographed by Chris Fucile, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
In an age of digital noise, there’s something powerful about work made by hand. Artist Sal Salandra understands this.
LeBlancStudios presents its Spring/Summer 2026 collection, “Museum of Common Oddities.”
Drawing from the energy of Tokyo’s streetwear, the collection captures the creative pulse of Shibuya.
Dsquared2 and Ducati have joined forces for the first time. The reason is a machine: the new Ducati XDiavel V4 motorcycle.
A shoe should feel good from the first step. That’s the idea behind Camper’s new unisex sneaker, the Karst 2.
The offering is relaxed yet polished. It includes rugby shirts, lightweight shell jackets, and everyday T-shirts that speak to the brand’s modern-prep influences.
Photographed by Juergen Teller and styled by Jodie Barnes, the campaign features models Alex Consani and Leon Dame.
The message is an invitation. It’s a call to “cum” together, to join what they playfully term the “Carne Cummunity.”
SOLID HOMME applies its own clean, specific point of view to the iconic MA-1 flight jacket from Alpha Industries.
Balenciaga just unveiled a collection of ten fragrances. This launch moves beyond traditional perfumery, built instead on fusion and tension.
Dior has unveiled a new bag for the Winter 2025-2026 collection: the Dior Slider hobo.
