vk79

Started in 2001, vk79 (the domain of Jürgen Dittrich) takes the idea of tough, formal and manly leatherwear to its German extreme, with tunics, shirts and breeches designed in a way that might recall an era of power dressing from the middle of last century. The company has specialised in luxuriant German leather (with a few rumblings about quality only recently, possibly owing to the impact of COVID on supplies?), but just be careful to get the fitting right the first time. Many BLUF members figure among vk's clientele. In 2003 the business moved to a low-ceilinged basement in a house on a quiet leafy street in suburban-villagey Karow – on the northeastern outskirts of Berlin (about a 25-minute train ride on the S-2 from Potsdamer Platz, then a two-minute walk). By appointment only. Payment by bank transfer only. Dittrich takes measurements, then emails customers when they've entered the queue. He works alongside a female assistant whose striking presentation alone is worth the trek. S-Bahn: Berlin-Karow.