Five young Irish creatives share their experiences of Copenhagen Fashion Week.
Over the years, worldwide fashion week events in major cities have often been perceived as exclusive and out of reach. However, Copenhagen Fashion Week has emerged as a beacon of accessibility and inclusivity, providing fashion enthusiasts from all corners of the globe with an entry point into the world of high fashion.
This AW24 season, a wave of young Irish fashion lovers made the journey to Copenhagen to immerse themselves in the week’s offerings.
Here, five of them share their motivations for attending, how they made it happen, what they got up to and what they thought of the whole experience.
Eoin Gavin
What made you want to attend Copenhagen Fashion Week for the first time?
Watching through a screen on socials. Friends go over every season, have the best time and discover new brands which was the main appeal.
What were you most excited about experiencing at Fashion Week?
Personally, I was super excited to step out of my comfort zone in terms of outfit choices. I had built up so many ideas of what I was going to wear and to see them come to fruition was super validating.
How did you plan to navigate the busy schedule of events and shows?
Google Maps and my notes app! As much as I wanted to attend everything, I prioritised the brands and designers that I have a particular interest in. So instead of trying to navigate getting to eight shows a day, I whittled it down to my favourite three/four and then if I was able to get into an additional show, it was an added bonus!
What did you hope to gain or learn from attending Fashion Week?
A newfound confidence.
Have you considered the fashion industry’s impact on sustainability and diversity?
Absolutely, as a bigger-bodied individual I find it extremely challenging to find clothing/brands that will cater to my size, though it has gotten better it is absolutely still a relevant issue so seeing people of different sizes on a runway truly makes a personal impact. I’m also very conscious that the majority of plus-size clothing is from fast fashion brands, and the amount of harmful waste produced from these brands is incredibly detrimental. Again seeing Danish brands embrace all sizes is a major stepping stone for bigger bodies being able to access sustainable AND fashionable clothing because in this current climate, it definitely feels like as a bigger-bodied person you have to choose between sustainability OR style.
If so, how does it influence your perception of Fashion Week?
For CPHFW specifically, I do feel like they are making genuine efforts to include everyone which is an amazing thing. However, seeing that it’s a contentious issue in the fashion sphere at large, a part of me does still feel that they only include plus-size models as a marketing ploy or gimmick rather than for actual good purposes. Oftentimes, when you look at the websites after a show, the sizes that were represented on the runway are not available or are suddenly ‘sold out’.
How do you think attending CPHFW will influence your perspective on fashion and style?
I think being invited to shows and having people compliment my outfits, and even just being there in general, changed my perspective on whether or not I belong in the fashion world. As a freelancer, it can sometimes feel like you’re not “as professional” and welcome as everyone else but being seen and attending shows makes me feel that I do have a place!
Niamh Webb O’Rourke
What made you want to attend Copenhagen Fashion Week for the first time?
For me, CPHFW is the main place to immerse yourself into the true life of fashion which is why I wanted to attend. I had watched many previous seasons online and wanted to be a part of it.
What were you most excited about experiencing at Fashion Week?
Seeing the vast range of street and personal style. No rules apply at CPHFW which is why I love it so much. There is so much self-expression.
How did you prepare for your first Fashion Week experience?
Packed a million bags (literally) of different looks I loved that really expressed my style for different events and also communicated with other creatives going to CPHFW to plan meet-ups and schedules.
Were there any particular designers or shows you were looking forward to seeing?
For me, CPHFW is all about Ganni. It is a brand I adore and I love how they support emerging talent at Fashion Week so all the exhibitions and talks they held were my favourite.
What did you hope to gain or learn from attending Fashion Week?
To express myself more and not be afraid to share my style with the world. There is so much self-acceptance at CPHFW, it is really eye-opening.
Have you considered the fashion industry’s impact on sustainability and diversity? If so, how does it influence your perception of Fashion Week?
Absolutely, it has. Sustainability is a vital element of Fashion Week which I appreciate; I think that’s why CPHFW was always going to be my first one.
What challenges or concerns did you face during Fashion Week?
My challenges were more personal, allowing myself to embrace all elements of it and not let my fears overtake the enjoyment of it all.
How do you think attending Fashion Week will influence your perspective on fashion and style?
It will definitely teach me to embrace my personal style more and keep sustainability at the forefront of my purchasing going forward.
Any advice for future first-timers?
Try meeting other creatives while there as it is so important to have a safety net of people you feel safe with and also can go to events with.
Megan McGuigan
What made you want to attend Copenhagen Fashion Week for the first time?
Copenhagen Fashion Week seems to be most in line with my brand Seeking Judy’s core values. Half of each designer’s collection must be sustainably produced. It’s always a relatively new event, so naturally, they are very innovative and doing things in quite a new way. I also felt the colourful Nordic style suits my brand best. Plus, I wanted to see the city! It was my first time there despite it being high on my list to visit for ages!
What were you most excited about experiencing at Fashion Week?
Hanging out with the girls I went with, getting dressed up, running around a new city, seeing how the locals and others dressed. They did not disappoint!
Have you considered the fashion industry’s impact on sustainability and diversity? If so, how does it influence your perception of Fashion Week?
Of course. If you’re not considering it, then you’re not a designer. A designer should be creating a better future for everyone – that’s the entire point of what we do. It’s a constant moral struggle though. You always feel like you’re not doing enough because fashion as a whole can be quite wasteful and there’s a lot of pressure for people to overconsume or buy into something to try and “be cool”. The point of Fashion Week from a brand’s perspective, is marketing and to sell more products. But as I mentioned before, in order to take part in CPHFW, 50% of a designer’s collection must be sustainable. It just proves that it’s totally possible for the industry to change and create high fashion garments in a conscious way. The best thing about Copenhagen was that people really dress for themselves. Of course, there are a lot of brands and people who are dressed in designer items, but there was so much personal style to be seen from the people we met and that’s what I find interesting about fashion; when you can tell that someone is expressing themselves fully through what they’re wearing.
How do you think attending Fashion Week will influence your perspective on fashion and style?
I’m part of a new collective called Dublin Independent Fashion Weekend – DIFW. A group of us from DIFW went over to research how Copenhagen was doing things differently to other Fashion Weeks. We are so inspired and will be bringing what we learned back to Dublin for our own events in October this year.
Any advice for future first-timers?
This may seem obvious, but it took me a few days to realise this because I really didn’t know what to expect from the week – as much as you’re there to have fun, ultimately this is a giant networking event. Be nice and talk to everyone you can. If you like someone’s outfit, tell them! Take their photo, get their socials, keep in contact if you can. It’s a long week and you’re going to be socialising and at events all day and night. You need your energy so don’t overdo it on the first couple of nights. Stay somewhere with a kitchen. You’ll save so much money if you don’t have to eat out two/three times a day!
Ben Harte
What made you want to attend Copenhagen Fashion Week for the first time?
Copenhagen Fashion Week seemed extremely welcoming and accessible as a first-time goer. Attending shows and events was encouraged rather than being used as a way to promote exclusivity. I also liked that most brands were smaller, independent brands.
What were your expectations for the week?
I was excited when I heard that Ganni decided to not have a show at CPHFW this year to allow room for seven emerging designers – so I really expected to see some fresh pieces from new budding brands, which didn’t disappoint!
Were there any particular designers or shows you were looking forward to seeing?
I was excited to see the OperaSport show, which was being hosted at Copenhagen Opera House. Although, Paolina Russo who won the Zalando Visionary Award really blew me away! Their stage design and concept transformed their show into a narrative performance piece for me.
How did you plan to navigate the busy schedule of events and shows?
I started out by researching the events happening that week and the brands hosting them to see which I thought would be the ones I’d be most interested in. After I got the time and dates of which shows I was going to, I was able to start scheduling my week. The website also updates new shows/exhibitions/parties every day during the run of the week so I was able to squeeze a few of the last-minute events in by actively checking it!
How do you think attending Fashion Week will influence your perspective on fashion and style?
For a week that appears so glamorous online, you can see the work and effort that goes into the shows and the week when you’re there and it has really influenced me to think bigger and bolder as the payoff is worth it!
Did you think it was worth it and would you go again?
For sure… I’m already looking into flights for SS25 in summer! I came home feeling so charged and motivated to work on my own projects and I’d recommend anyone who’s thinking of going to go!
Any advice for future first-timers?
Rep your locals! Whether it be wearing something your friend made or a local designer you like, it’s nice to tell people you’re wearing something from your home. The group of Irish people that I met up with over there were so supportive and down to help each other out which really comforted me and made me extra proud of where I come from. Also, try to see the city a bit. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the rapidness of it all so it’s nice to take a stroll around and see the sights if you’re feeling all fashioned out.
Alice Ugbah
What made you want to attend Copenhagen Fashion Week for the first time?
I’ve always loved Fashion Week and I’m very interested in Copenhagen style and the city itself. After seeing friends attend CPHFW, when the opportunity arose I decided to get off the internet and see it for myself.
How did you prepare for your first Fashion Week experience?
Even though my first Fashion Week was a last-minute plan, I still tried to research and schedule as best I could, get invitations and consider and plan accommodation and transportation for all venues.
What were your expectations for the event?
I expected to see unique cuts and designs that push the boundaries of fashion but also see the focus on the Scandinavian aesthetic as well which embodies the minimalistic look but also the trends that are also present at this time.
Were there any particular designers or shows you were looking forward to seeing?
I was most excited for the Stamm show as it was the first time I was being introduced to the brand. It made it more exciting to see and experience something new and fresh.
What did you hope to gain or learn from attending Fashion Week?
I hope to broaden my knowledge on different brands and designers and introduce myself to new names that I haven’t heard before, whether they are big or small.
Have you considered the fashion industry’s impact on sustainability and diversity? If so, how does it influence your perception of fashion?
It has made people reevaluate their expectations and values, for example, lifestyle. It’s amazing to see brands adopting eco-friendly practices and promoting slow fashion to reduce their negative impact on the environment. This shift has made fashion conscious and inclusive, in my opinion.
What challenges or concerns did you face during Fashion Week?
To be fair, there weren’t many challenges or concerns I personally faced during Fashion Week. I think for me, it was probably just navigating the city itself because it was my first time in Copenhagen so trying to understand the roads was difficult.
Any advice for future first-timers?
I would suggest planning ahead to avoid the chaos. Be open to discovering new designs and designers, engage and network and lastly, dress to impress. This is the best time to introduce the most extra piece you’ve had sitting in your closet to your outfit.
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