Articles

The Fusion of Past & Present Drawn by Berlin's "SF1OG": Antique Materials Reimagined with Fresh, Cool Style

2025.06.26

At Berlin Fashion Week, where edgy, emerging brands gather, none feel more energetic than SF1OG. The brand is defined by its genderless style that blends antique materials with a modern sensibility. Their pieces exude a nostalgic yet undeniably youthful and cool vibe.

Although the brand initially focused mainly on one-of-a-kind items, in recent years they've begun to create products using deadstock fabrics, expanding sales channels into Asia and the US. In Japan, Ray BEAMS began carrying their pieces this Spring/Summer, and the collection is set to appear in a Shibuya select shop this Autumn/Winter as well.

We spoke with Rosa Marga Dahl, who heads up creative, and Jacob Langemeyer, who manages the brand, at their studio in northern Berlin.

PROFILE

Right: Rosa Marga Dahl / Left: Jacob Langemeyer

Rosa Marga Dahl
SF1OG Co-Founder & Creative Director
Born in Germany in 1998. Studied fashion design at Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin. Began "SF1OG" in 2019 as a personal project while still a student, officially launching the brand in 2021.

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Jacob Langemeyer
SF1OG Co-Founder & Commercial Director
Born in Germany in 1997. After studying industrial engineering at Technische Universität Berlin, he went on to study Fashion & Design Management at AMD (Academy Mode & Design) Berlin from 2020. Friends with Rosa since high school, he joined in 2021 when "SF1OG" was founded as a brand, handling marketing, finance, production management, and sales.

A Constant Yearning for Nostalgia

First, can you tell us what inspired you to found "SF1OG"?

RosaBack in 2019, when I was studying fashion design at a university in Berlin, I started feeling uncertain about my field of study. So, as a creative outlet and to experiment with my vision, I began making clothes in my apartment and posting them on Instagram.

The brand name "SF1OG" actually comes from an address label on a package (SF1OG = Side Wing 1st Floor). It just caught my eye and stuck.

Later, Jacob told me, "Let me help you turn this from a personal project into a business," and that's when things really kicked off. We officially launched the brand in 2021, and at first, I made unique one-of-a-kind pieces using antique materials and such.

Have your brand concepts or direction changed since its inception?

RosaI think things have shifted slightly in line with my own learning and growth, but the foundational idea—this "yearning for nostalgia"—hasn't changed. I love thinking about how to combine antique materials, past stories, historical outfits, and the techniques used in clothes from those eras, with modern-day elements.

Plus, memories from our formative youth—which hugely shaped who we are—also serve as key inspiration.

Isn't using antique materials challenging on the production side?

RosaThat's true, and that's why we currently work across three lines. The first is the "101" line, consisting of one-of-a-kind items made from antique materials or old leather.

Antique materials are hard to source, so naturally, quantities are small and prices higher. To us, these are special items that embody our brand's worldview.

The second is the "013" line, using deadstock or materials sourced from suppliers. And then there's the mostly-accessory "133" line. We're gradually expanding the lineup while striving to balance sustainability with building a business that lasts for the long haul.

JacobThe "101" line is extremely popular, but because mass-production is tough, the "013" line forms the backbone of our sales. Since 2023, we've had a showroom in Paris, and now our products are available in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the US, too.

Deliberately Not Looking “Sustainable”

Many brands focusing on sustainability lean minimalist, or go heavy on a natural vibe—but the "SF1OG" collection still feels undeniably cool. What's your approach?

RosaI'm always conscious of not making "SF1OG" look overtly "sustainable." I don't think a sense of responsibility towards sustainability should be forced upon people.

Plus, since we started out as an upcycling brand, it just felt natural to marry sustainability and fashion from the get-go.

Vintage items are gaining popularity in Japan right now, but how are they being received in Germany?

RosaThey are also really popular in Germany, and I personally own a lot. However, there's been more criticism lately, such as the opinion that "even vintage clothing encourages excessive consumption." In other words, buying vintage clothes doesn't necessarily change the mindset of consumers who feel the need to get new items for every event or season.

Even so, I still think that reusing clothes that have finished their original role is a positive attitude. Of course, as a brand, we are aware that the option of vintage might potentially reduce our own customer base, though.

JacobThe world and style of "SF1OG" might have a vintage feel, but it definitely stands apart.

We address the typical issues with vintage clothing, like modern fits and understated detailing, through our own arrangements, and reconstruct pieces into items you could never find among secondhand clothes.

Do you ever get new inspiration from actual vintage items?

RosaYes. For example, the "Fishtail Parka" presented for Fall/Winter 2025. Back in the 2010s, when I was a student, everyone around me was obsessed with this outerwear, particularly with the fur around the collar. I think a lot of people who lived through that era feel nostalgia or a sense of familiarity.

We reinterpret those memories—not using them as they were, but exploring fits and silhouettes that people want to wear right now.

Broadcasting from the Free City of Berlin to the World

Why is it significant for you to be based in Berlin and present at Berlin Fashion Week?

RosaI don't think it's absolutely necessary to be based in Berlin, but it is definitely Germany's most creative and free city. There are incredible resources, and the support we receive from the government and the Fashion Council is great for young designers with limited funds.

On the other hand, it's more effective to handle sales in Paris, so we make smart use of both cities.

JacobFrom a production standpoint, Berlin is ideally located near Eastern Europe. Germany lacks manufacturers who work with small brands, so we collaborate with a factory in Poland.

Because we need to explain directly to the factory how to handle antique materials, it makes a lot of sense for us to be based in Berlin.

Gradually expanding your sales channels—what are your goals moving forward?

RosaTo keep growing the business while preserving our core brand values. I'd love to see our community of people who resonate with our worldview expand as well. To that end, we're considering opening a store.

Through a variety of initiatives, I think it's important for "SF1OG" to remain a brand that continually inspires people.

JacobFrom a business perspective, I want to strengthen our approach to global markets, like Asia and the United States.

Hosting pop-ups that tour major cities like Tokyo, Seoul, and New York to absorb local needs and deepen our understanding of the market could be a fantastic idea.

"SF1OG" is winning hearts across countries and generations with free-spirited creativity and sincerity in crafting—always inspired by nostalgia. Surely, they’ll continue delivering memorable stories through clothes that bridge the past and the present.

Text by Jun Yabuno