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New York, Paris, London and Milan may still be the fashion capitals of the world, but there is another international fashion week that has editors and influencers scrambling for front row seats
Copenhagen Fashion Week is underway this week, and not surprisingly, we cannot stop seething with envy at the Scandies and their impeccable taste.
Like a handful of other, smaller fashion festivals (like Pitti Uomo in Florence), Copenhagen fashion week has been steadily growing a legion of followers since its introduction only 12 years ago in 2006. Though still in its infancy, Copenhagen fashion week is the result of a merger of previous Danish clothing trade fairs – Dansk Modeuge and Dansk Herremodeuge – which both date back to the 1950s. The week-long fashion event attracts new Scandinavian designers that are hungry for the world stage, as well as appealing to established hot-ticket Nordic brands like J. Lindeberg, Ganni and Hofmann Copenhagen.
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The Danish capital is – like much of the world right now – experiencing a heatwave. During high-humidity, the fashion posse is opting for long-hemmed, breezy dresses and cut-offs paired with airy sandals or cool sneakers. Creative consultant and stylist Jeanette Madsen, below, shows how to do wear vibrant, hot-pink in a grown-up way, combining her boilersuit with a piece from one of Denmark’s rising It-girl labels, Nunoo. In contrast, Danish TV host Polliani and creative consultant and stylist Darja Barannik, bottom, prefer muted tones and clashing prints for their first appearance at fashion week.
Scandinavia embodies elegance and modernism in a way that not many other fashion nations can, and Danish women (and men) have a consistency about how they dress that’s admirable. They’re not afraid to inject colour or pattern into their outfits, but expertly anchor their wardrobe with accompanying neutrals like black, white and grey. Low-heeled, flat shoes and trainers are fundamental to their work-life balance, and their ability to mix athleisure with cocktail-hour pieces is covetous. They know how to do grown-up style in an ageless and sophisticated way. Danish style is authentic and lived-in, glamorous and charming but never garish. If, like us, you’re inspired by Nordic designers or simply want to expand your repertoire of Scandi labels, here are three that are on our radar right now.
Nr.12 wine red, €167 at kanel-denmark.com
If you’re as excited about the rebirth of this hair trend as we are, then you’ll immediately be drawn in and hypnotised by accessories label Kanel. Kanel produces wonderful handmade flower barrettes and hair clips of all shapes and sizes. A quick scroll through its gallery will have you dreaming of all the different colour combinations you could try. The authenticity of the products and simplicity of the brand encompass Danish style beautifully: it’s real and trendy made by real (and trendy) Danish women. Every handcrafted piece is lovingly named after strong female heroines and the philosophy of the Kanel brand is simple; to make good-quality products and spread positivity.
Gestuz Elsie wrap dress, €179.95 at gestuz.com
Laid-back yet polished, minimal yet feminine, Gestuz strikes the perfect balance between Scandi chic and subtle ladylike influences. Founded in 2008 by Sanne Sehested Nielsen, the label is known for exquisite separates that are easily incorporated into any stylish wardrobe, each piece striking a balance between edgy and elegant and crafted from notably luxe fabrics.
Rollercone dress, €180 at ceciliecopenhagen.com
Cecilie was started from the brand’s creative director Cecilie Jørgensen’s desire to find the perfect outfit when she had “nothing to wear”. From this, Jørgensen developed the brand further and now creates a full line of ready-to-wear skirts, shirts, bottoms, dresses and accessories. The brand has a particular signature style that appeals to both older, more mature woman and young millennials, making this an ideal brand at an accessible price point. After its winter collection back in 2011, the demand for Cecilie grew across the globe, leading to the brand being stocked worldwide, from London to Sydney.
Feature image by Acielle and Style du Monde for Vogue.com