Copenhagen Fashion Week debrief
What it's really like, designers to watch, some mega streetstyle moments I snapped
I love Copenhagen. I love the food, the architecture, the interiors, homewares and OF COURSE, the fashion. When I was planning my trip to Europe and looked at timings for Copenhagen Fashion Week and saw it could align very nicely with the end of my trip, I had to make it happen.
As always - would love to chat so leave a comment/DM me on Instagram!
I’ve been to Copenhagen once before so knew I loved it there and like many of you, I’m a huge fan of Scandi style. That certain effortless, cool, quirky flavour specific to Copenhagen always sparks joy for me. If you take one look at my explore page on Instagram, my Pinterest feed, my own wardrobe and home aesthetic – it’s pretty obvious Copenhagen and CPHFW is really my vibe.
TUESDAY
We flew in from Rome on Tuesday, day 2 of Fashion Week. All of the shows I’d committed to were happening on day 3 + 4 but I had one fitting at the Baum und Pferdgarten showroom a few hours after we arrived.
WEDNESDAY
I started the day catching up with my friend Kelly who works for Purple PR – she was looking after a bunch of brands presenting during the week. We went to Sonny for breakfast. Highly recommend. Great coffee, food, cute vibe. It’s always so nice seeing a familiar face in an unfamiliar city.
Show 1:
My first show on Day 3 was Marimekko at Designmuseum Denmark. Pro tip – arrive early. I’m used to Australian Fashion Week – where you can arrive just before the show starts and your seat will be waiting for you. But what I discovered is if you don’t arrive 20-30 mins before the show, your seat may be snapped up by someone else – as there’s a tendency to overbook your spot.
Despite the rain and dreary greyness of the day, the signature colours and bold prints of the Finnish brand lit up the afternoon. The collection also celebrated 60 years of the iconic Unikko print.
I’ve been a fan of the brand for years and have been lucky enough to work with them a few times so to be there in person was really special. Here’s what I wore:
Show 2:
I wasn’t familiar with J.Lindeberg before CPHFW but my skier husband raved about it. It’s functional sportswear with an edgy streetwear vibe. The styling was super cool too.
Show 3:
Baum und Pfergarten was at 7pm on Wednesday evening. The preferred mode of transportation for CPHFW and Copenhagen in general is a bicycle. I wasn’t so game this time around so I walked everywhere. This way I was able to properly take in my surrounds. Maybe I’ll cycle next time!
Baum shut down a whole street for the show so it was basically a major street party - in fact, once the runway was done, it really did turn into a party. The brand really nail jackets, coats, knits, prints. The collection was cute and vibrant. A wrap up of the show + my day here:
What I wore:
THURSDAY
Show 4:
Filed under what to wear where when you want to go out, out; Rotate Birger Christensen was so playful, glamourous and sexy.
Elegant nipple tassles anyone!?
The giant fluffy hat, bejewelled knickers and teensy singlet Vera Van Erp rocked stole the show for me.
It was giving Carrie Bradshaw in Dolce and Gabbana - minus the stack.
What I wore:
Show 5:
To end the week, it was Ganni time. Who doesn’t love Ganni! The sun was shining as we entered the HELLO WORLD universe. Five giant AI generated trees created by AI artist Cecilie Waagner Falkenstrøm were scattered throughout the runway Ganni (they spoke to the audience via speakers that hung from the branches). Maybe because it was the last show of the week, maybe it was just the Ganni mood but there was a distinct positive energy surging through the room. Things felt good!
From the second Paloma Elsesser walked out, I was smiling. We later found out her gorgeous merlot sheer fitted ensemble was co-created by her and the brand for their upcoming collaboration.
Creative Director of GANNI, Ditte Reffstrup said this about the inclusion of AI in the show and the collection.
“Nicolaj (Ditte’s husband + Ganni founder) has a background in tech, so we have been talking about Artificial Intelligence for years. Recently, it feels like something else to panic about, because it’s so far from my world. But I was thinking about AI’s potential for good. As a mother of three kids, and as a woman running a business, I think a lot about how to raise my kids to be kind, to feel secure, to be responsible. It’s the same with GANNI, how do we grow this brand into the most responsible business it can be? So we talked about how it might be possible to create a kinder, more thoughtful AI, one that does good. Everything clicked into place when we met the incredible AI artist Cecilie Waagner Falkenstrøm, who has this thoughtful, philosophical take on AI. We worked with Cecilie to create a GANNI AI for the show. We wanted the spirit of the AI to be embodied by a physical form, something natural - my first thought was trees – they are such a symbol of hope and life.”
I appreciate this take as everything I’ve consumed about AI of late has been at best confusing and at worst, terrifying.
The runway playlist was also a huge highlight, and at the after party when I spoke to Ditte, she told me AI actually created it by pulling data from the brand, social media comments and the Ganni Girl community. And I can confirm, the playlist killed it. It was just FUN and brought so much joy and the good mood was vibrating throughout the room. They’ve released it here!
Straight after the show was the after party. It was held at Apollo Bar. The negronis and margaritas were flowing, the dancefloor was heaving and the karaoke room was the place to be.
What I wore:
The whole experience was incredible. There was inspiration everywhere, so much to look at and take in. It’s always an interesting experience going somewhere and not really knowing anyone and feeling a bit out of depth. But I think those experiences are important and expand you in ways you don’t even realise at the time. I’ll definitely go back next season.
Streetstyle I snapped:
FINAL WRAP UP
Brands to check out if they’re not already on your radar:
Skall Studio - Very model off duty, Copenhagen cool girl next door vibes. Could and would wear this every day. Full collection here.
Opera Sport - Textural, a bit grunge, a bit romantic vibes. Full collection here:
Mark Kenly Domino Tan - Neutral, layered perfection, structural elegant simplicity. Full collection here.
The Garment - This brand is surely set to explode. I really appreciate the pop of red in the sea of neutral perfection. Co-founder + creative director Sophia Roe is also a must follow. Chic to the bone. Full collection here.
Love Child 1979 - Timeless classics with that cool Copenhagen twist. Full collection here.
Saks Potts - you’ve likely heard of this brand but had to include. Link to the collection here. Also the founders Barbara Potts and Catherine Saks are so cool. Follow them here and here. My highlights here:
I can’t wait to go back! Hope you enjoyed.
More Smooth Brain Thoughts soon,
Ali xxx
had NO idea those tree's were AI!? does not feel so scary in that sense.
Also yes to the carrie Bradshaw reference. !!