Cynthia Carson (New Zealand) and Gernot Ober (Germany) met one day and discussed their passions: fashion and the complicated history, present and future of the Eastern European spirit. They shook hands and founded Redspective, conceived out of a shared dream to combine their long love for clothing with this profound heritage—one from deep within the archives of an occupied past (but also signaling cold vodkas with the next generation). There is unique beauty lining this frayed edge of the world.

Redspective is based in Berlin, not far from the legendary Alexanderplatz. Their products enlist images, art and design from Eastern European street-artists, graffiti-artists, graphic designers, cartoonists, painters and illustrators. These images and designs are then infused with selected clothing and presented alongside independent designer labels.

The shop is a platform from which people are encouraged to appreciate the dialog between history and apparel (and Russian chocolate too). In a truly communal effort, the featured artists and designers are represented by their own brand marks, and the gallery features their alternative works as well. The brands displayed here, and the modified clothing on view, offer new takes on retro styles.