Arriving at Forsthaus Damerow — A Place With Its Own Story

Forsthaus Damerow is not a typical hotel. It carries a soul shaped by East-German holiday culture, island traditions, and the surrounding landscape between the Baltic Sea and the Achterwasser lagoon.
As I entered the grounds, the architectural mix revealed itself: a warm, wood-accented main house with Baltic rustic charm, and nearby clusters of bungalows that quietly echo the GDR era of family seaside escapes — sturdy, modest, practical, and immersed in nature.

These bungalow cottages feel authentic, not curated — a living trace of how people have long experienced the coast. Inside the main building, the mood shifts to a gentle, hosted warmth:
dark woods, soft carpets, perhaps a crackling fire, and décor that favors comfort over spectacle. It’s a retreat for walkers, cyclists, families — and, this evening, for lovers of fashion and cuisine.
That duality — refuge and stage — set the tone for the night.

A Night Full of Atmosphere and Creativity

As the Wild Fashion Dinner began at 6 pm, the house transformed into an intimate fashion sanctuary. Guests gathered with curiosity; warm lighting softened the room as the first dishes left the kitchen.
The runway featured three designers, and when my own pieces entered, I felt a wave of emotion. Showing my collection in this woodland-by-the-sea setting created a conversation between the imaginative world of
Tata Christiane and the grounded soul of this East-German retreat. Colors seemed to glow differently; silhouettes breathed with the room.

The five-course dinner was a performance of its own — refined, expressive, plated like compositions. Together with the fashion, it formed a rhythm, a dialogue between arts.
Guests responded with warmth and openness, making the evening feel both festive and deeply personal.

Why Usedom Became Special to Me

Beyond the event, Usedom itself revealed a distinct character — soft northern light over long, fine sands and the elegant
Bäderarchitektur of the imperial seaside resorts.
Walking through Ahlbeck or
Heringsdorf feels like stepping into a living postcard: ornate villas in whites and pastels, wooden balconies and verandas whispering Belle-Époque nostalgia.

Yet Usedom’s quieter side is just as compelling: forests, lakes, wetlands and the mirror-calm Achterwasser. Cycling paths cut through reserves and fields; the landscape invites a slower rhythm.
Forsthaus Damerow stands right at this intersection — between Ostsee and lagoon, between history and renewal.
Stepping outside after the show into the cool October air, hearing the wind and tasting the salt, I felt both grounded and uplifted.

The Tourism Appeal of Usedom

Usedom is a mosaic of atmospheres that attracts many kinds of travelers. What makes it special includes:

• 42 km of white sandy beaches — ideal for long walks, summer days, or bracing autumn swims.
• Nature in depth — forests, the Achterwasser, and quiet inland waters for cycling, walking, and birdwatching.
• Historic seaside elegance — the timeless aesthetic of the island’s imperial resorts and their
  Bäderarchitektur.
• East-German heritage — visible in bungalow clusters, public paths, and the understated charm of small resorts.
• Slow tourism & wellness — spa culture, fresh air, and a focus on rest.
• Unique cultural events — especially the
  Wild Fashion Dinner,
  where local hospitality meets creative expression.

For activity-seekers, highlights like the
Usedom Treetop Walk (Baumwipfelpfad)
offer fresh perspectives over dunes and forests, while coastal promenades connect resort towns for scenic strolls or cycling.

A Personal Conclusion — And an Invitation

Participating in the Wild Fashion Dinner was more than a professional moment — it was an experience that stays with you.
Presenting my work in such a characterful environment reminded me how profoundly a place can shape the perception of fashion.
Forsthaus Damerow, with its mix of GDR heritage, rustic elegance, and the enveloping calm of nature, offered a setting unlike any other.

As I left the venue late at night, walking past the softly lit bungalows and listening to the wind moving through the trees, I felt a sense of gratitude and wonder.
Usedom had touched me with its sincerity, its light, its creative potential. This evening was not just a show or a dinner — it was a moment where people, place and imagination came together in a rare balance.

If you have the chance, experience the Wild Fashion Dinner at least once. It is not a typical event. It is intimate, poetic, surprising — a celebration of creativity held in a place shaped by history and nature.
You taste, you watch, you feel, you breathe the island. It is a journey, not just a program.

Whether you come as a fashion lover, a traveler, a gourmet, or simply a curious soul, you will leave with something meaningful.
You will feel the magic of Usedom, the warmth of the hosts, and the unique atmosphere that makes this evening truly exceptional.

I know I will carry this memory with me for a long time — and I hope you will one day come to experience it too.

Warmest regards,
Tata Christiane