Vice Fashion – Ich Liebe Die Usa!

PHOTOS: Carolin Leszczinski STYLING AND PRODUCTION: Maike Müller
PHOTO ASSISTANT: Bassma Fattal STYLING ASSISTANT: Anja Schwarzmann
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Anna K. Schwartz
 

This year, Berlin hosted the 47th annual German-American Folk Festival. It’s an event that’s been taking place since the American occupation after World War II and was set up to create a sense of harmony between the two countries. How do they do this? Well, there are things like fake “Venice Beach Muscle Man” competitions, giant posters of Budweiser bottles, cardboard cut-outs of Elvis and giant inflatable baseball bats with the Stars and Stripes on them.

To hell with the fact that an Associated Press poll just said that 80 per cent of Germans are anti-American, or that 10,000 people turned up to throw rocks at Bush at the G8 Summit in Rostock in June—there’s a mechanical rodeo ride competition on at 3 PM by the “Shrine to LA” and the winner gets a free hot dog. Go USA!
 

David wears jacket by Wood Wood, shirt by Mads Norgaard, trousers by Lee Gold Label, shoes by Levi’s DAVID RÖTZER, 22 Vice: What brings you here to this spectacular German-American Folk Festival?

David: What’s your favourite ride? Doesn’t sound very American. Tell me about it.

Kind of like a ghost train? Sounds amazing. What do you prefer, German or American food?

You are so right. Have you ever been to LA? Would you like to be a movie star? Jenny wears top by Firetrap, trousers by Lee, shoes by K-Swiss JENNY SIMON, 16

Vice: So, er, do you come here often?

Jenny: What do you like best?
Have you ever been to the States? Why’s that? They have some great stores, especially the fast food chains. Do you know how many states the US has? Natascha wears T-shirt by La Fraise, trousers by Dickies, shoes by Onitsuka Tiger, sunglasses by Henrik Vibskov NATASCHA URBANSKI, 17

Vice: What do you think is the best thing about this wonderful celebration of American culture?

Have you ever won anything in the raffles? What do you like best about the States? Would you like to be a celebrity? Do you think President Bush would have as much fun as you’re obviously having if he was here? Have you seen any cowboys at the festival?

Phillippe wears jacket by Y-3, T-shirt by German-American Volksfest, trousers by Pelle Pelle, shoes by Nike

PHILLIPPE MAYOMBO, 24

Vice: Well, what are you doing here?

Phillippe: Do you think people come here to eat that stuff or do they prefer bratwurst [German sausage]? Do you think Americans would have fun here? Thuy-Vi wears shirt by Insight, top by American Apparel, trousers by Diesel THUY-VI HOANG, 20 Vice: Which attraction do you like best here?

Thuy-Vi: If President Bush was here what would be his favourite stall? Do you think that this festival / freakshow will help strengthen German-American relations? Have you ever been to the States? What did you like about it? Did you stuff yourself full of fatty food over there? Have you seen many Americans here? And surfers? Pia wears top by Firetrap, trousers by Replay PIA RECHERT, 21

What do you like best here? What do you think Bush would like the best? What would he sing? What do you think of the LA theme? Do you like the States? What do you prefer, German or American food?