Bonnie & Buttermilk: A Passion for Patterns

When you walk into Bonnie & Buttermilk, you’re greeted by a striking pop of colours and patterns — it’s an instant mood-lifter. The store’s owners, Eike Braunsdorf and Katrin Petsch, infuse their work with joy, and it’s easy to see. Soft pillows featuring large-scale floral and geometric prints sit atop a wooden table, while racks display a perfectly spaced selection of vibrant clothing. Houseplants are scattered throughout the shop, adding even more life to the space. But this is more than just a shop — it’s a creative sanctuary where passion, craftsmanship and design meet.

At the heart of Bonnie & Buttermilk are co-founders Eike Braunsdorf and Katrin Petsch, two visionary designers who turned their love for patterns and colours into a thriving independent fashion brand. 

“It’s important to do what you believe in and to really follow your passions. If you really yearn for something, then it’s a good and successful business. You can’t stop doing it because it’s what you want to do.”

From Shared Passion to Business Success

Eike and Katrin’s story began over a decade ago, long before Bonnie & Buttermilk became a well-loved brand. Their shared love for textiles and design brought them together in an unexpected way.

Eike was working in a fabric shop when Katrin walked in as a customer. A casual conversation quickly revealed their mutual passion for prints and patterns, and soon, they began creating together.

At first, they printed fabrics in small batches, designing unique patterns for personal projects, including clothing for their children. Their love for vintage textiles also inspired them to repurpose flea-market finds into patchwork blankets and one-of-a-kind fabric pieces.

What started as a creative hobby soon evolved into something much bigger, a business idea waiting to unfold.

The Transition to an Online Store 

Recognising the demand for their designs, Eike and Katrin decided to take their creations online. The duo opened an online shop featuring their signature patterned women’s fashion, and soon, their business gained momentum. Orders started rolling in faster than expected, and their small-scale operation quickly outgrew its original setup.

“We worked in my kitchen, in my living room… everywhere there were fabrics, fabrics, fabrics.”

Katrin’s apartment became makeshift workshops overflowing with textiles, sewing machines and design sketches. As demand grew, they realised it was time to take the next step: finding a dedicated workspace to accommodate their expanding business.

Finding the Perfect Space to Grow

Bonnie & Buttermilk’s first official workspace was a compact 50-square-metre studio, which quickly became too cramped. With six or seven employees working alongside them, cutting fabrics, sewing garments and packing orders, the space was crowded. So, they moved to a loft space, where they stayed for three years.

Last year, Eike and Katrin moved into their current location on Kollwitzstrasse in Berlin. The top floor is the shop, where customers can browse and purchase from the collections. The space’s split-level construction is visible from the outside. Customers can also see the basement workspace, where employees prepare the prints, patterns and fabrics. Often, shoppers' curiosity is piqued, and they come in. 

The Creative Process: Designing Patterns with Passion

For Eike and Katrin, fashion is more than just clothing — it’s wearable art. Every print and pattern is designed in-house, ensuring their pieces remain original and true to their artistic vision.

Unlike mass-produced fashion, Bonnie & Buttermilk’s collections emphasise individuality and craftsmanship. That creative freedom is what makes their work so exciting.

“It’s great — we can have an idea of a fabric, of a pattern, of colours, and then we can just draw it and have it printed on our own fabric — for a dress, for a shirt, for a sweater… That’s something that’s really fun.”

Challenges of Running an Independent Fashion Brand

Despite Eike and Katrin’s passion, running a small business comes with its own challenges. Finding the right team, skilled sewers, reliable fabric printers and dedicated employees were among the biggest hurdles. Managing logistics, handling orders, and invoices and dealing with administrative tasks also proved time-consuming, often leaving little room for creative work.

Expanding Beyond Clothing

Bonnie & Buttermilk’s success has inspired them to think beyond fashion. They envision expanding their signature patterns onto new materials, such as wallpaper, ceramics and bedding, allowing customers to bring their vibrant designs into their homes.

Their long-term goal is to diversify their product line while maintaining the same attention to detail and quality that defines their brand.

The Importance of Contactless Payment Solutions for Independent Shops

As their business evolved, Eike and Katrin realised the importance of offering flexible payment options. When they opened their physical store, they needed a reliable and convenient way to accommodate modern shoppers. That’s when they turned to SumUp’s PIN+ Terminal.

“There are so many people who pay with cards, and no one pays cash… We believe that a lot of people wouldn’t buy if they couldn’t pay by card.”

Contactless and card payments have been a game-changer, providing shoppers with a seamless checkout experience while boosting overall sales.

Passion, Creativity and Smart Business Solutions

Bonnie & Buttermilk is a testament to what happens when passion meets perseverance. Through creativity, dedication and smart business decisions, like embracing SumUp contactless payments, they have built a brand that resonates with customers in Berlin and beyond.

With plans to expand their product line and deepen their connection with customers, Eike and Katrin are excited for the future. 

Get Started with Contactless Payments!

Sales with SumUp FAQs

What payment solutions are available for independent shops?

Independent shops can choose from mobile card readers, online payment links and POS systems. SumUp offers easy-to-use solutions, allowing businesses to accept card and contactless payments anywhere.

What’s the importance of contactless payments?

Contactless payments offer speed, security and convenience. Customers love the ease of tapping their cards or phones, making transactions faster. For businesses, it means shorter queues, fewer cash-handling risks and increased sales.

How can you simplify sales tracking with SumUp?

The SumUp App makes sales tracking effortless. Every transaction is recorded in real-time, helping businesses monitor revenue, track trends, and manage finances. With clear insights at your fingertips, you can make informed decisions, streamline bookkeeping and focus on growing your business.