Risk-free fashion in Berlin boutiques is not his thing, he thinks colorful bomber jackets are cool. Musician and local patriot Romano on important style issues.
Romano away at the “Eiscafe Surprise” in Weißensee, for once with his hair loose. With his jacket, a tailored heirloom from his father, he wears a Versace silk scarf and a no-name belt, and on his wrist an old Glashütte watch from an antique shop on the Baltic Sea. Not visible in the photo: knee-high riding boots from the Internet.Fabien Prauss
When Roman Geike was born in Köpenick in 1977, nobody could have guessed that one day he would become something like the unofficial mayor of this Berlin district. Since he has been making music under the stage name “Romano”, his origin has always been a topic – whether in interviews, at performances or even on an entire album called “Jenseits von Köpenick”.
Romano underscores the local patriotism performed with rap and hits with his imaginative signature look, which makes him as likeable as he is recognizable to this day. The most important elements: long blond hair, usually braided in two pigtails, and colorful baseball jackets. According to Romano, his interest in expressive fashion stems from his childhood. At that time he spent a lot of time in the props department of GDR television, where his father was employed. The Köpenicker was also inspired by the stories of his uncle Ziggy, who had emigrated to Hollywood as a make-up artist.
The 80s pop era still influences Romano’s work today, and many of his videos are aesthetic reminiscences. Again and again he works together with the Berlin electronics producer Siriusmo, with whom he has been friends since school. Siriusmo also produced the new album “Vulkano Romano” which will be released in March. In April, Romano, who of course still lives in Köpenick, will go on a tour of Germany. But with our “10 questions about fashion” we first clarify a few open fashion questions before we devote ourselves entirely to the music again.
1. You like to wear your long hair in two gorgeous braids. How often do you get asked about your hairstyle?
Rather smiled. Most of the time people are happy, sometimes they look like a UFO or shake their heads. In any case, they have something to talk about.
2. How did your Eastern origin shape your style?
My father was a pyrotechnician for GDR television and I was allowed to accompany him to work from time to time. That’s where I came into contact with the props fund. Disguised as a knight or musketeer, I felt like I was in Cockaigne. The desire to dress up still has an effect today. As a child from the East, the Intershop was of course also a surreal dream world. The smells, the bright colors and the West advertising aroused my longing.
3. What is your favorite piece of clothing at the moment?
A pink silk shirt with Greek sculptures on it. It just feels good, but it’s not for the cold, wet Berlin winter. That’s why I can hardly wait for spring.
Romano in his current favorite shirt. He also wears the good piece in his current video “Scream of the Wilderness”.Elias CJ Koehler
4. You collect college and bomber jackets, how many do you have now?
About 35 jackets. Most of starter and campri. In the early 1990s they were beyond my pocket money. But from my apprenticeship around 2000, I was able to gradually get the hottest ones: Raiders, 49ers, Vikings…
5. What role does irony play in your look?
No idea. I try and love the game. For me, braids, bomber jackets and high tops go together just as much as shoulder-padded blazers, cycling shorts and wavy hair.
6. Berlin and fashion – for many, that doesn’t go together, how do you see it?
Well, last May I was in northern Italy and that’s when I realized that there’s more going on there. The desire for color and special cuts. We’re really stuck there. I often feel bored with the risk-free fashion in Berlin’s men’s boutiques. A pity. Grey, blue and black – just don’t stand out!
7. Is there a Köpenick style?
A colorful dressing gown, filter coffee and sparkling wine. The main thing is to relax…
8. What trend are you disliking at the moment?
Oversized clothes and holes in the clothes are incomprehensible to me.
9. Where do you buy your clothes?
Online on second-hand platforms and sometimes from designers. A friend of mine sometimes mods parts for me with extra shoulder pads or cut adjustments.
10. What is your price threshold for a piece of clothing?
For extremely expensive pieces, I just wait until the sale. But I’m happy to spend a few euros more for clothes that I’ll enjoy for a long time.