MERCEDEZ-BENZ FASHION WEEK BERLIN WILL TAKE PLACE JULY 17th – 20th, 2008 AT BEBELPLATZ, IN THE HEART OF THE GERMAN CAPITAL Berlin offers unparalleled development potential to companies in the fashion industry. Over 800 trend-setting designers and labels work in the capital. The city's prominent industry networks and 60 events around the Berlin Fashion Week with the highlights MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK Berlin and the trade fair Premium also attract a large number of experts, consumers, fashion agencies and major international players. Berlin's unique concentration of nine fashion schools provides the high-quality education needed to train the top European designers of tomorrow. The cost of living and renting in Berlin is very favourable, especially in comparison to other fashion centres such as Paris, London and Milan. This open environment generates extraordinary creativity and all lifestyle types. Berlin is also the number three tourist destination in Europe and attracts an extensive intercontinental clientele. These shoppers come to Berlin for its unique mixture of brand name flagship stores and small independent shops run by up-and-coming stars. Over 6 million people live in and around Berlin and approximately 240 million people visit the capital each year. These two groups represent an above-average spending power and an attractive market for both established designers and innovative young professionals. The city's creative atmosphere attracts young professionals from all fields of the fashion industry. In Berlin, the crossover of fashion, music, design, film and art becomes reality.