Tag Archives: IC! Berlin

Insiders – Ralph from ic! Berlin

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He did a naked catwalk, secretly dreams of being an opera singer and became a millionaire by selling screwless design eyewear. Ralph from ic! Berlin is a bit of celebrity, though he doesn’t quite see it that way. He’s a cultural pedagogue gone founder, who now spends a good deal of his time living in the day-to-day anarchy of a life with three kids. Here he talks business, Berlin and what he would as Germany’s chancellor.

Important things first. You did a catwalk… naked. Why? (Watch the video)
We had this idea. We wanted to sell jeans besides our glasses, but just one single model. So obviously we couldn’t just present it. It needed to provoke. Maybe even hurt a little. My idea was this – the modern man has so much clothes to choose from, he can’t decide what to wear and accidentally goes out naked. And so I did.

That sounds like it required a lot of bravery. Maybe a bit of craziness, too?
Most of all it required a lot of radicalism. Being radical in the role I was playing was the key. If you told me to run through Soho House naked now, I would do it.

Okay, run through Soho House na-… just kidding. Can everyone learn being radical?
You can teach anyone the tools to stay in character. In that case, being naked was the role’s costume. So actually I wasn’t naked, I was wearing the role. It only gets embarrassing when you can’t to pull it off and stick to the role.

Are you playing a role when you go out there as Ralph from ic! ?
Not really. I’m the guy who comes to a party, says hello to everyone and then leaves. I don’t drink, so I’m not really the party guy.

You don’t… what? why?
Drinking isn’t my cup of tea and parties are literally made for drugs. Remove drugs from the nightlife and it’s done and gone. The only exception is music – when the music is really really good, that’s all the drugs you need.

What sucks about Berlin?
Friedrich Liechtenstein is a good friend of mine. He’s a gifted singer and songwriter. But sometimes, he completely fucks up his show. What he says then is: „Yeah, I know. Just imagine this was a very very well made movie about a guy who completely fucks up his show“. He’s the prime example for all of Berlin – people just don’t try very hard. At the same time, that’s also the best thing about Berlin.

Did you ever want to quit ic! and just leave it be?
There was a point when I was close to quitting. The other two founders and me were these three guys from Oldenburg having this big business love affair. After 5 years a fight over the company’s future broke out. I went through it with clenched teeth and didn’t like it one bit. I was close to calling it quits, when an adviser told me to fight through it. In the end I was glad I did – it earned me the company.

Do you work extra hours?
I don’t actually work that much. ic! Berlin was designed to run on its own at some point. And it does.

So what do you do on an average day? Usually one of my kids sleeps over, I cook some breakfast, do Tibetan yoga, go jogging, grab some lunch and pick up my smallest kid in the afternoon. After that, I’m usually living in my children’s day-to-day anarchism.

What would you do if you couldn’t fail?
Become an opera singer.

Your future CV says you’ll be chancellor from 2034 to 2044. What’s the first thing you do? I’d stop speaking. Once, I didn’t talk for 3 days for an art event. It creates a crazy tension. Since politics is essentially made of words, not speaking as a chancellor would be a great experiment.

Berlin in 3 words?
Laid-back. Lazy. Creative.

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Red Carpet – Henrik’s World of Glamour

No matter if Henrik’s wearing a shirt, a smoking or just his slippers: Red carpets unroll in front of him faster than you can say “why is he naked”. As the foremost Berlinagent, he carries a heavy burden. He has to represent a whole company, and so he parties like he was a whole company. No oyster is safe, no champagne glass escapes his sight, no party goes crazy before he turns up! Before we take off for summer vacation, we want to share some wet memories with you.

ic! Berlin Flagship Store Opening
Berlin’s favourite brand for screwless sunglasses has new headquarters! Naturally the manufactory threw a major party sure to get you screwed anyway. Finest drinks, a sneak peak at the upcoming summer collection and celebrity Friedrich Liechtenstein singing – all under one roof. Lovely! By the way, you can come check out the store even if you’re not looking for glasses. Free co-working and co-playing all week long.

The Grand – 5 Years Jubilee
The hidden gem near Alexanderplatz is well known for its excessive parties. An upper class restaurant at daytime, The Grand turns into a jungle of beats and grooves at night. Unsurprisingly, their 5 year jubilee party was more crowded than Berghain on Sunday, but no less heavy on the liver. Among the happy faces were Till Schweiger’s buddy and movie producer Tom Zickler and gastronomy baron Jesko Klatt.

COS Opening at KuDamm
Houston, the eagle has landed. H&M’s premium brand COS has re-opened and redesigned their Ku’Damm outlet. Premium brand means premium guests. It was little wonder the party was crowded by stylish fashionistas and curious onlookers, who tried to conceal their lack of style with an extra beer or two. Just the way we do it in Berlin.

The Scene meets Super Lux Berlin

Berlin has a reputation. It’s known as a city of hedonism, wild 24/7 partying, anything goes clubs, trashy bars and even trashier patrons. That’s what we love about it – its bad reputation. But there is another side to Berlin, a more sophisticated grown up Berlin, where luxury is paramount. Over the last ten years, Berlin has got her luxury on. It wasn’t until the mid 2000’s that the gastronomic/bar scene started to take off.  With more Michelin stars than Hamburg, you also get good value for money like nowhere else! Now things have become ever chicer, with a marked improvement in quality, international influences, more stylish interior design and truly creative ideas.

This can also be witnessed in the slew of new five star luxury hotels –The Eddington, The Q Hotel, Das Stue, The Sofitel and the Waldorf Astoria taking up residence in buildings old and new. Grown up Berlin is full of new innovations and stylish locations, all eager to buy into the luxury market. Here’s some of favourite upscale addresses.

 The Guerlain Spa at the Waldorf Hotel

Step into pure heaven on the light-infused 5th floor spa that also boasts a swimming pool, a steam room. Each cutting-edge customized treatment starts with a footbath and massage. Then you’re taken to your own divine treatment room that is sprayed in the Guerlain scent you choose. Also on offer are hydrotherapy, Vichy showers, and massages for one or two. The pampering is just what you expect from the Waldorf – 5 star, all the way. Top tip for Berliners! You can drop in and use it as a day spa.

Marcell of Berlin DSCI0158 A young upscale high-fashion label Marcell of Berlin creats basics and evening fashion for sophisticated women. The concept store on in the Schlüterstraße, offers Marcell’s creations along shirts from 5Preview, jewellery by Tina Lilienthal, bags by Jerome Dreyfuss, sunglasses by Thierry Lasry and shoes by Melissa, which was created in cooperation with Vivienne Westwood.

Reinstoff

A modern gourmet temple located in the historic Edison courtyard, the restaurant has been awarded with two Michelin stars. Daniel Achilles – “awarded as Chef of the Year 2014 by Gault&Millau. Not surprising, when you taste the exotic German flavors that have been creatively re-imagined into a world class fusion of thoroughly international sensations.  

Soho House Lofts

Big stars needs big lofts. Over recent months, a little birdie told us that George Clooney and Jennifer Lawrence were guests. Each Berlin Loft benefits from an open-plan living and dining area that features a, 5.1 Cinema system, 75” TV, high-spec Kitchen, a dining table for 12 guests and either a grand piano or fussball table. It’s the perfect place for party, ask George! Take a virtual tour yourself.

Quartier 206  

While Ka De We is the biggest and best luxury store in town, Quartier 206 on Friedrichstrasse gives it a run for its money in terms of atmosphere and ambience. Set in an extravagant Art Déco style, there are is over 8,000 square meters of retail space filled with brands like Gucci, Cerruti, La Perla,  Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Brille 54, to name a few.

Ritz Carlton Fragrance Bar

This world innovating bar opened in June. The concept you choose you cocktail by its smell. The menu card was designed by mixologist Henning Heisse, who also happens to be a perfumer. Guests smell signature scents by from Georgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent and Guerlain and pick the matching cocktail. Specialty bar snacks match the olfactory experience including a macaron with raspberries and vanilla that compliments ‘Signorina’ by Ferragmo.

 IC! Berlin Brille_robert_04 Berlin’s very own IC! Berlin have hit the topend market perfectly, with their Onono glasses and lenses. Made from the long horns of Indian Oxes, these glasses are still the ultimate in luxurious  funky, handmade eyewear. The collection has been presented at Mido in Milan, the Vision Expo East in New York, the Silmo in Paris and the Ioft show in Tokyo. Seeing in believing.

The Mandala Suites Breakfast Room

This terrace is absolute Berlin secret, but we are sharing it you. It’s makes a damn fine  breakfast location on the rootop at the exclusive five-star hotel, the Mandala Suites

Whisky and Cigars

This shop in Mitte does exactly what its name implies, sells a huge range of Whisky and Cigars. An absolute consoeur’s paradise. They have an online store as well.