“Butch means freedom!” — www.siegessaeule.de

Under the motto “vest vs. bomber jacket”, the Butch*Walk will take place for the third time on September 8th in SO36. The focus is on the butch as a sexy style icon in all its diversity

She comes into the bar wearing a ribbed tank top, leather jacket and casual boots. The key ring on the snap hook on her faded jorts could be heard from afar. She is probably the most visible of all dykes: the butch. If you believe the current trend on social media, there is an acute shortage of them in the lesbian and queer community. In Berlin, there can be no talk of a so-called mask shortage: on September 8th, the SO36 will host what appears to be the world’s only fashion show dedicated solely to the butch catwalk for the third year in a row. This year, under the motto “vest vs. bomber jacket”, over 15 models will present clothing from various Berlin labels on the catwalk. These brands impress with queer, individual and sustainable fashion. How they implement this is up to them – the main thing is that it is butch!

“More than short hair or lumberjack shirts”

The aim of the Butch*Walk, which Til launched in 2022 with Carsta from the queer fashion collective 100prozentdivers and has continued on his own since then, is to make butches more visible in the Berlin community. Because even if they like to attract attention in the bar, according to the common cliché, the butch is not known as a show-off. Unjustly, says Til, himself a butch model. In a world where hostility towards butches is still a bitter reality, it is all the more important to wear this identity with pride. “There is a strength associated with being butch.”

“Just say Butch and be proud!”

The word should not be hidden from the community. “Just say butch and be proud of it!” says Til. What defines a butch? “More than short hair or lumberjack shirts,” says Til. Being butch is a way of life, whether long or short hair, suit or bomber jacket. “Butch means freedom. “Wearing what we want,” says Til. The fashion show is intended to inspire and also show possibilities. “It is important that we find places where we feel comfortable.” With this in mind, Til cooperates in particular with shops on Oranienstraße in the immediate vicinity of SO36. “I want to strengthen the cooperation with retailers who offer clothing for butches.” Sustainability and quality are at the heart of this. From second hand and vintage to tailor-made suit fashion and streetwear to upcycling pieces, there are no limits to the creativity of the brands.” In collaboration with the sellers on O-Straße, a separate Butch*Walk cosmos has now emerged. It was only after the first fashion show that many people realized how many shopping options they actually have.

The echo of the Butch* Walk universe extends beyond the lesbian-queer community and has now also reached the cis-gay community. The biggest surprise guest this year was Brunos, the shop for gay men par excellence, which dressed the butches. Other butch*-oriented labels are Just for the Boys with high-quality suits as well as Dress Code and Stardust and Jones for vintage lovers.

The label Rope, which makes femme/butch upcycling fashion, and the popular Chapati Design/Le Green Noir are newcomers. Depot2 with street style looks for Kreuzberg 36 and the London style store Greenfuzz deliver fashion for the butch. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the fashion show starts at 7 p.m. The stylish evening will be rounded off by a few surprise acts and hot DJ sets from the Butch Barflys.

Butch*Walk,
08.09, 19:00,
SO36
butchwalk.com