Wigged out ¡­ a model struts through a subway train during the Underground Catwalk event
at the inaugural Berlin Fashion Week.[AP]

Brandenburg Gate provided a dramatic backdrop for the inaugural Berlin Fashion Week, which began with Hugo Boss's spring/summer 2008 collection.

Models strutted through the arches of the historic monument illuminated by hundreds of spotlights.

The star-studded front row of Mischa Barton, Christina Ricci, Rupert Everett, formula one drivers and international models provided a double dose of glamour. Barton is shooting a film in Russia and Ricci is working near Berlin.

The night before, models paraded through a carriage of Berlin's subway line 5, during the Underground Catwalk event.

After the Hugo Boss show, 1500 guests celebrated at the Russian embassy.

Hugo Boss is one of many Germans to have helped shape the modern fashion industry, including Karl Lagerfeld, Jil Sander, Escada and the models Heidi Klum, Nadja Auermann and Claudia Schiffer.

The German capital has emerged as the European epicentre of youthful cool. Since the Berlin Wall came down the artistic community has thrived, with more than 3000 fashion designers now basing themselves in the city.