Welcome to the world of Bernhard Willhelm, a playful wonderland of colour and darkness, of subverted historical and pop cultural references translated through fetishist sportswear, oversized volumes, flashy colours and surprisingly explosive prints.

Ever since the creation of his own brand in 1999 (in association with Jutta Kraus), the young man, born 33 years ago in Ulm (Wurtemberg), has created a fantastically beautiful and completely-off-the-wall universe.

In 1998, graduating from the Royal Academy of Antwerp, Bernhard Willhelm passed from being assistant to Walter Van Beirendonck, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Dirk Bikkembergs. In September 2002, he settled in Paris. Parallel to his collections, from 2002 to 2004, he successfully directed the italian house of Capucci where he launched their first Prêt-à-Porter collection. His other achievements include a retrospective of his work organised in 2003 by the Ursula Blickle Art Foundation in Germany, alongside the publishing of his book at the Lukas & Sternberd publications in 2004. In 2005, he designed school uniforms for the orphans’ aid association, Misericordia. He also received the ANDAM Grand Prize as the most promising talent of the new creative scene.

Invited as the second curator of Walter Van Beirendonck’s project, Bernhard created NºB with his intense personal signature – a mix of the comically sexual and the quietly natural, with a through line of intellectual prowess that translates through an unexpected pairing of images, objects, people and art. Featuring contributions from Jutta Kraus, Take Hirakawa, Luc Tuymans, Wolfgang Tillmans, Inge Grognard, Gert Jonkers and many more quirky, artistic friends.

To view Bernhard’s magazine online – click here.

NºB will be followed by:

NºC featuring Hussein Chalayan – July 2010

NºD featuring Olivier Theyskens – August 2010

NºE featuring Viktor & Rolf – September 2010

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xNrvUUgDoI[/youtube]

Welcome to Nºb featuring Bernhard Willhelm – the second installment of the original A story.