ELLE Germany is celebrating its 20th anniversary! And as there is no better reason for a lavish party, the fashion magazine celebrated the big event last weekend in full glamour style. At the world premiere of ELLE Fashion Star 2008 in Berlin, a single catwalk became the stage for the world’s top 20 designers who showed dream gowns exclusively designed for ELLE. The unique pieces by Armani, Chanel, Jil Sander and many others were presented by international top models.

The new highlight at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week gave the audience yet another surprise: for the first time, ELLE’s new fashion design award “ELLE Fashion Star” was presented during the gala event. Karl Lagerfeld received the Platinum Award from his former muse, Claudia Schiffer.

ELLE editor-in-chief Sabine Nedelchev: “This award is bestowed upon Karl Lagerfeld for his unique talent that shows in several collections, special creations, photo shootings and much more. He surprises us again and again and always has his finger on the pulse of the time.” Actress Maria Furtwängler held the speech in honor of the design star.

Since 2005, Belgian Raf Simons has been responsible for the Jil Sander design. “At the ELLE Fashion Star, he receives the ‘Mercedes’ for ‘Best Collection’ because his summer collection 2008 has demonstrated that he is a master couturier, choosing the right fabrics and remaining true to the clear Jil Sander look,” says Sabine Nedelchev who also held the laudatory speech.

Designers Roberto Rimondi and Tommaso Aquilano, who operate under the name of 6267, received the Newcomer Award “for their promising talent for the art of dressmaking and their great sense of fabrics, prints, and colors,” the editor-in-chief explained her choice of laureates. The laudatory speech was held by top model Inés Sastre.