
K∆IGERH∆RDT
K∆IGERH∆RDT is not just a fashion label – it is a statement of intent. Founded by Berlin-based designer Kai Gerhardt, the brand is rooted in a deep resistance to categorization and a desire to reclaim fashion as a space for human complexity.
Gerhardt’s work questions a world obsessed with classification – by gender, origin, identity, lifestyle, or style. Instead of denying the human tendency to sort, he proposes a new kind of drawer: one large enough to hold all of us. He calls it “Humanity.”
At the core of K∆IGERH∆RDT lies the belief in unsortability. The collections do not follow seasons, gender norms, or aesthetic conventions. They operate in a stark palette of black and white, a visual reduction that opens space for nuance, contrast, and contradiction. Between these poles lies not emptiness – but freedom.
K∆IGERH∆RDT’s garments are designed as a second skin: raw, honest, and clear. They do not assign roles, but open possibilities. Classic tailoring meets free draping, and wearable basics are reimagined through unconventional material compositions and sculptural textile experiments. Many pieces emerge from reclaimed materials – from cotton and wool to VHS tape, event-industry fabrics, and sewing waste. Every element is considered. Every detail holds a narrative.
Gerhardt’s process is as thoughtful as it is tactile. He develops new textiles by hand, sometimes knitting or weaving them from scratch using discarded materials. His pieces are not mass-produced – they are made slowly, either by the designer himself or within Europe, with care and proximity in mind.
The label’s identity has grown from a foundation in authentic craft and quiet radicalism. Gerhardt graduated from the Berlin University of the Arts, where his early works like put your lights on (2015) explored hand weaving in modern form. His first commercial collection black and white are not grey (2017) balanced streetwear with avant-garde forms. His MA collection LET THE FUTURE BE HUMAN (2019) pushed innovation further through experimental knitting, establishing a clear design voice focused on process, sustainability, and form.
In parallel to his studio work, Gerhardt mentors young designers, teaching and sharing his experience in design, independence, and self-trust. For him, fashion is not just product – it is a conversation, a responsibility, and a refusal to compromise.
His work has been featured in publications such as Its, ODDA, and KALTBLUT magazine and recognized internationally through accolades including the European Fashion Award FASH (2015) and a German Design Award nomination (2017). Designer and jury member Michael Sontag once remarked:
“Kai Gerhardt created unassuming clothing that has nothing to do with the Eurocentrically shaped male image – and yet feels familiar. A work that convinces instantly.”
K∆IGERH∆RDT is an invitation to rethink what fashion can be:
Not a mask. Not a mold. But a medium for presence, contradiction, and transformation.
LET THE FUTURE BE HUMAN.
Not a slogan. A promise.