The Editors: Frederik Frede of Freunde von Fruenden on Berlin and Creativity
Frederik Frede is founder and creative director of online publication Freunde von Freunden, translating to friends of friends. Since launching in 2009, FvF has documented the lifestyles of international creatives and the spaces they live and work in, via captivating interviews and big, beautiful photography. Things moved quickly and by 2011, they’d published their first hardback book; Freunde von Freunden ”“ Berlin.
Now, FvF is a one-stop-shop for exploring how tastemakers and innovative creators live their lives, from what they cook and listen to, to how they organise their day and their bookshelves. As well as the main website, the ever-expanding global team have launched an iPad magazine, an online shop, a second book and the FvF apartment, a concept space in which all their inspiration, design ideas and visions of what a living space could be, culminate.
The Freunde von Freunden headquarters is based in Berlin, where Frederik lives and works.
http://www.freundevonfreunden.com/
Freunde von Freunden Apartment – Photo: Courtesy of Freunde von Freunden
JODIE KHARAS: Were you born and raised in Berlin?
FREDERIK FREDE: I am originally from the South of Germany. Born in Bavaria and grew up close to the Lake of Constance with the Suisse and Austrian Alps on the horizon. But my family was based in Berlin before the Second World War and somehow most of my family made it back into the city. My brother and his family are here and our aunts, uncles and cousins.
JK: Do you still consider Berlin to be as creatively charged as it once was?
FF: For Germany and Western Europe it is still the city with the most freedom and space to fulfil your dreams and live a relatively alternative life. A lot has changed but it is still very creative due to the amount of people moving here. Culturally and culinarily it just keeps getting better.
JK: Which neighbourhood are you currently based in? What’s it like?
FF: I spend my time between traditional West Berlin where I live and our office in Berlin- Mitte. Most of my friends live in between in Kreuzberg but I prefer the bit more settled and quiet Wilmersdorf. For me that is the Berlin I knew before the wall. Mitte is where most of the brands, agencies, restaurants and boutiques are and where the clubs used to be. It’s perfect having our office there.
JK: Are you a fan of Bowie’s Berlin trilogy?
FF: I love them and have them like a lot of other Bowie albums on vinyl. But like Bowie that part of Berlin is gone and won’t come back. It is now the time for others to fill that gap.
JK: Freunde von Freunden has grown in many different directions in the last few years. How did the initial idea come about, was it a light bulb moment?
FF: FvF and the initial idea grew out of the desire to develop a project and product for ourselves and an alternative to working for clients. Essentially, we wanted to do our own thing and showcase our abilities. With our agency MoreSleep, we were able to create everything from logo, branding to website development, design and overall strategic concept. We asked close friends to help us with writing and photography and began portraying our friends. This is also where the initial focus came from- as a lot of our friends are creatives, designers or artists and they all have interesting stories to tell.
JK: What does a typical Monday look like for you?
FF: I get up early every day to prepare the day and to get the most important things done first. When I am in Berlin I go swimming. In summer when the sun comes up earlier I go road biking before swimming. I usually arrive around 11 in the office and then start work with meeting the team or partners and discussing projects and topics.
JK: Do you have any weekend rituals?
Meeting my friends and family and swimming and road biking. Sports as balance is very important for me.
JK: Tell me about the FvF Apartment ”“ do you have a favourite corner? A favourite moment spent there so far?
FF: We set the apartment up with many favourite corners. I could sit all day in the lounge chair and watch out of the window. The bathroom with its rain shower is also pretty nice. A central point of course is the kitchen with its isle and bar stools. But also the bed is very comfortable and perfect for a good sleep.
I had a lot of favourite moments there since we opened it two years ago. The party before we started renovating was great with our landlord DJing but also the dinners and events we have with friends and the team are great. My friend Gabe from Amsterdam doing his Taco Orale with Mezcal tasting or Albert Folch launching Eldorado magazine.
JK: Where do you find inspiration?
FF: Travel and friends. There is no better inspiration than talking with new or old friends from different places around the world. You will always hear things you never heard about or angles to existing stories you never thought about.
JK: What’s been the highlight of 2016 so far?
FF: Surfing in LA and sharing the waves with dolphins, seals and pelicans.
FREDERIK FREDE’S BERLIN
Cocolo Ramen in Mitte and Kreuzberg
Hands down the best Ramen and noodle soup in Europe. We go there at least once a week for their freshly made original Japanese food.
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 39-40,10999 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 9833 9073
Image via kuchi.de
Five Elephants Coffee in Kreuzberg
Best Coffee and roast in town, which we also use in the office. Try the cheesecake.
Reichenberger Str. 101, 10999 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 9608 1527
Image courtesy of Five Elephants Coffee
Berghain Club
Haven’t been in a while but everyone loves it and it is the common denominator in our office. Really interested to see how the new spot Weyde will do.
Am Wriezener Bahnhof, 10243 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 2936 0210
Image via Berghain Club Facebook
Lon-Men’s Noodle House on Kantstrasse
Great and original Taiwanese soup.
No Website
Kantstraße 33, 10625 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 3151 9678
Image by Giulia Pines via seriouseats.com
Brasserie Ora in Kreuzberg
The old pharmacy setting is just marvellous. They did a great job on the interior, which throws you back into the Berlin of the ”˜20s but maintains a young creative vibe.
https://www.facebook.com/oraberlin/
Oranienpl. 14, 10999 Berlin, Germany
Image via iheartberlin.de
Doyoureadme?!
Because I just love buying new magazines and they have the best selection.
Auguststraße 28, 10117 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 69549695
Image via doyoureadme.de
 Jodie is a style and travel editor who lives in London but considers herself a citizen of the world. Between adventures, she produces travel, fashion and culture content for established brands and inspiring publications and platforms including COS, Junko Journal and Tate. |
(Feature image courtesy of Frederik Frede)
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