Arguably one of the most charismatic cities, Berlin is famous for its unadjusted creative spirit. And what’s better way to get to know the city than through the eyes of the locals?

Anna Liset Ahlers and Paulina Schulz are both native Berliners, and this fact alone makes them quite a rare find. Things that keep them busy are so diverse it will take more than a few capacious words to recap them: a daytime political science student and theatre enthusiast (Anna) and a doctor working shifts in the hospital (Paulina) turn into a nighttime DJ duo team WOS (Women of Style), which they founded few years ago. Best friends and partners in crime, they are also true fashion lovers with a great eye for vintage.  

The girls take us around their hometown and share some of its best places.



What makes someone a true Berliner?

A: For me an important component of being a true Berliner is having spent your youth here and knowing your way around the city. The cityscape nowadays changes so quickly, a true Berliner knows the good old places and stays loyal to them without making a fuss. When you ask a true Berliner where they are from they will name the district they grew up in, not the city itself.

P: There is that deep love for Berlin that makes you a true Berliner - a love that grows with every year you’ve spent here and still hits you when you go for a casual run or when you drive home on your bike after a long night in warm Berlin summer.


Which area of the city you like the most?

A: Charlottenburg! Time seems to move slower on the side streets of Ku’damm. I think it has a very poetic touch. Charlottenburg’s dynamic of looking classy from the outside but being wild on the inside is exciting to me.

P: Charlottenburg. Not only has it an original vibe but also it contains a stunning beauty with all its little cafes, shops and beautiful buildings, weekends just pass by if you go for a walk in the Tiergarten Park or around Savigny Platz. Also Mitte between Charité Campus and Hackescher Markt is one of my favorite places to be.


Has the city influenced your style in some way?

A: The 2009 wave of indie music in Berlin was the first thing to influence my style, I was really feeling the whole skinny jeans, American Apparel vibe back at 15. I quickly discovered vintage from there and kept my love for good vintage clothes ever since.

P: I love walking through the city a lot, so I often choose comfortable clothes over fancy outfits. Berlin is best enjoyed while walking - so why put on shoes that make your feet hurt just for the looks? Furthermore, there is that one style everyone seems to adapt as soon as they move to Berlin – it's very dark, sporty and street with a touch of laissez-faire: usually sneakers, an all black outfit, a cap and a bomber jacket. I hate that very look so I try to always include a little glamour and a little colour when I’m picking my outfits.


If you are all dressed up, you are probably going to…

A: Meet my friends for drinks at Victoria Bar, the alley leading to the bar is the perfect catwalk and the staff always appreciates it since some of them are fashion crazy as well.

P: Either meet with my friends or to work. I actually like to dress up - working as a doctor with a passion for clothes and design makes you want to fully enjoy the time that you are not wearing scrubs or a white coat.


Where one is most likely to come across you in the city?

A: Good chance I will be on the top floor of KaDeWe, the oyster bar to be exact. Listening to the conversations of old people next to me having champagne in the morning - priceless.

P: During the week often in Mitte (around Charité) or at home in Kreuzberg strolling through the streets. On the weekends in Charlottenburg or day tripping to Potsdam.


How do you prefer to get around the city?

A: I am guilty of being a DriveNow addict - in winter I use it because I hate to freeze in the public transport and the rest of the time simply because I am always late.

P: In summer you’ll either find me walking or cruising on my Vespa. In winter I find DriveNow very convenient, I don’t need a car in a city where you can hardly find parking spots and can do most distances by feet or bike. And the always go-to option: public transportation which is always a cheap and easy way to get around.


Your favorite food and the best place to have it in Berlin?

A: I am a big fan of Good Friends on Kantstraße - the atmosphere is not very cosy but they are absolute professionals. They have a huge menu - the trick is to always order from the mint-green section. My favorite food there is beef with salt and pepper - this dish is not on the menu but was passed on to me by one of the waiters. If you order it, they will smile because they know it’s only given as a secret tip... oops.

P: I love a good brunch. Vereinszimmer just next to Kreuzberg park is a nice little Italian restaurant and bar where you have a very laid-back atmosphere and wonderful food. Another one of my favorite spots is Chay Viet at Brunnenstraße - a very low-key little restaurant with probably the best vegetarian Vietnamese cuisine. It's always the first spot on my mind if I’m starving.


What would you say is a one Berlin clothing staple?

A: Bomber jacket has proven to be a good companion, no matter the weather or occasion you can find yourself in fancy or very low-key locations in Berlin all in one day, and bomber jacket is able to keep up with all of these situations.

P: I think the item du jour right now would be a good old fanny pack - it’s just very Berlin in the way that it carries all the things you need for a 3-day long rave, it’s unisex and it has that sporty street touch that the Berlin look somehow stands for.


What would your perfect weekend in Berlin look like?

A: Sleep in long, then go for breakfast at the Einstein Cafe Stammhaus, afterwards have a walk around the Schlachtensee, dinner at Heno Heno and a visit to the Schaubühne theater in the evening – that's my pass out for Sunday.

P: Drinks at Victoria Bar and a little club dancing afterwards on Friday, waking up around noon on Saturday, going for a run, seeing friends for coffee and a little walk, browsing through shops until you go out again - there is always a good event to meet everybody and dance the night away, and of course finishing with an all-lazy Sunday in bed.



Photography: Jessica Barthel