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:

I love the whole mentality, how the different cultures mix.

What’s your favourite ride?

I think it’s called the Bavarian House.

Doesn’t sound very American. Tell me about it.

You walk through different attractions and it’s completely dark with weird lighting and you have no idea what can happen next.

Kind of like a ghost train?

No, more exciting than that, with things you don’t expect. You can fall down or funny things happen, like the ground will suddenly start moving.

Sounds amazing. What do you prefer, German or American food?

American food, like fast food. It’s not as time-consuming and is easier to eat when you’re in a hurry.

You are so right. Have you ever been to LA?

No, but I’m sure I’d like it. It’s nice and sunny.

Would you like to be a movie star?

Yes, I’m pretty sure everyone has thought about it at one point in their life, but I think it’s too much stress.

Jenny wears top by Firetrap, trousers by Lee, shoes by K-Swiss

JENNY SIMON, 16

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

Jenny:

Yes, at least once every time it’s on.

What do you like best?

Well, pretty much anything you can do here that gives you a thrill. I’m not sure what the ride is called, but you hang upside down in the air.

Have you ever been to the States?

No, not to the States, but I’ve been to England! I would love to go one day.

Why’s that?

Because of the nature, the environment and the stores.

They have some great stores, especially the fast food chains.

I prefer German food because it’s healthier, I think. And I think it has more taste. I don’t really like English food either—it’s pretty shit. Well, not that great.

Do you know how many states the US has?

No, I have a D in geography. Sorry.

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?

Natascha: Raffle tickets and the people and stuff.

Have you ever won anything in the raffles?

Yeah, tons. The best was this huge plush pillow. I have it for when I’m sad.

What do you like best about the States?

It’s exciting! The people, the celebrities, and there’s always something going on.

Would you like to be a celebrity?

Yes, definitely! It’s exciting. You get to meet lots of people and see new places.

Do you think President Bush would have as much fun as you’re obviously having if he was here?

I don’t think so, because there are so many Germans here.

Have you seen any cowboys at the festival?

Yeah, many. It’s really cool.

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:

I work here. I sell drinks, hot dogs and corn on the cob at my booth.

Do you think people come here to eat that stuff or do they prefer bratwurst [German sausage]?

No, I think they’d go somewhere else for bratwurst. They wouldn’t have to come to a German-American folk festival for that. They also come here to drink American drinks, like Budweiser and stuff.

Do you think Americans would have fun here?

No idea. Americans are always into things that are really large. Places where everything is in XXXXL format and this is a little smaller. I guess an American would imagine a festival like this to be like the Warner Bros. Studio or something like that. Maybe he’d play some bingo and have fun with that.

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:

That’s difficult. Probably the candy stores.

If President Bush was here what would be his favourite stall?

The shooting galleries.

Do you think that this festival / freakshow will help strengthen German-American relations?

Yeah, I think so. You can see how many Americans get along really well with Germans here and I’m sure friendships developed as well.

Have you ever been to the States?

Yes, once, to New York.

What did you like about it?

The people are more open and the culture is completely different.

Did you stuff yourself full of fatty food over there?

To be honest, I’m more the slender type, so I watch what I eat.

Have you seen many Americans here?

Yes.

And surfers?

Well, if you mean beach boys and guys with six packs and stuff, sure. You can find them over there at the Venice Beach area and the concert area. There’s even a cowboy playing country music there.

Pia wears top by Firetrap, trousers by Replay

PIA RECHERT, 21

What do you like best here?

I love the carousels. That’s actually the reason I came here in the first place.

What do you think Bush would like the best?

Good question. Probably the karaoke booth.

What would he sing?

The American national anthem.

What do you think of the LA theme?

To be honest, I haven’t really thought about it, but it shows me typical LA things like actors, high society, and American stuff.

Do you like the States?

I like the openness of the people. I was there once, in Detroit. I really liked that the people communicate openly on the streets, not like here.

What do you prefer, German or American food?

That’s difficult. I really love American food, but it’s also really fatty. I’m sure you stop noticing that if you live in the States.