Copenhagen Fashion Week. Now a permanent date in our buying diary. For this trip I thought I’d give you an on board look at what takes place, from fashion shows, presentations, pops ups and trade shows.
Copenhagen is also an amazing place for food. Seemingly every restaurant has a Michelin star or three, but there are still some great, casual, cheap eats to be found. I hope you like my suggestions.
Copenhagen is also an amazing place for food. Seemingly every restaurant has a Michelin star or three, but there are still some great, casual, cheap eats to be found. I hope you like my suggestions.
When you arrive at Copenhagen airport there is always a calm, cool buzz, but during fashion week this is turned up. As the world’s fashion press and buyers arrive with huge suitcases filled with many outfit changes for a short stay. Looking at some of the outfits we have already seen at the first shows, we guess they have several suitcases each.
A quick train journey from the airport to central Copenhagen, and a short walk to the hotel. I arrived in the early evening, an evening that promised much at the Olympics. With that in mind, a takeaway was needed. I’d already done some research and had a couple of ideas. As we were staying near the regenerated meat packing district, there was a lot of varying foods to choose from. The choice was Hooked, a mini chain seafood restaurant. Pollock in a light spicy batter with skin on fries (also known as fish and chips was amazing) but the star was a lobster roll that was gold medal standard.
The rest of the evening was spent planning the next day in order to make the best of this great city. It's important to plan each day. Always build in enough time for travel and over running timings, not once has a fashion show started on time!
A quick train journey from the airport to central Copenhagen, and a short walk to the hotel. I arrived in the early evening, an evening that promised much at the Olympics. With that in mind, a takeaway was needed. I’d already done some research and had a couple of ideas. As we were staying near the regenerated meat packing district, there was a lot of varying foods to choose from. The choice was Hooked, a mini chain seafood restaurant. Pollock in a light spicy batter with skin on fries (also known as fish and chips was amazing) but the star was a lobster roll that was gold medal standard.
The rest of the evening was spent planning the next day in order to make the best of this great city. It's important to plan each day. Always build in enough time for travel and over running timings, not once has a fashion show started on time!
Day 2 - shows and presentations
A beautiful day and I start with a look round some of the stores in the city centre. It’s always good to take time to do this for ideas, new brands and general inspiration. I visited some flagship stores of brands we already sell including Baum und Pferdgarten and Stella Nova and spent some time looking in a lot of independent stores and Illum, the city’s flagship department store. I came away with ideas for window displays, new brands and ways to merchandise products. I particularly liked the visit to Studio Arhoj, a Danish ceramics and glass company. As you browse the stylish products, behind the shelving is the workshop, where you can watch mugs and bowls being made and glass being blown. It was fascinating.
The window of Baum und Pferdgarten was very telling, especially with what has been happening in our own country recently.
The first pop up I visited was for a quick drink at the nss edicola x Niko June newsstand. This is part of the Tik Tok creator hub that was hosting demonstrations, talks and presentations over the week. The newsstand is a meeting place for everyone to grab a drink and look through all the publications on offer or grab a signature slogan t-shirt - I left my heart in Copenhagen.
The window of Baum und Pferdgarten was very telling, especially with what has been happening in our own country recently.
The first pop up I visited was for a quick drink at the nss edicola x Niko June newsstand. This is part of the Tik Tok creator hub that was hosting demonstrations, talks and presentations over the week. The newsstand is a meeting place for everyone to grab a drink and look through all the publications on offer or grab a signature slogan t-shirt - I left my heart in Copenhagen.
As I went back to my hotel for a quick change before our first fashion show, food was needed (this happens a lot on this trip) and I headed towards Esma’s Street Kitchen for the best falafel wrap. Located outside the main entrance to the central railway station this was a delicious cheap lunch (for Copenhagen)
For our first show we headed to the beautiful grounds of Amaliehaven for Lovechild 1979. There wasn’t an empty seat as we all waited for the show to begin. It was hot and the show start was ‘fashionably’ late to begin. The shows are in various locations all around the city so any delays to start times can have a knock on to attending the next show.
The show didn’t disappoint, a mix of beautiful tailoring, floaty dresses and occasional leather pieces in muted tones, their collection is typically Danish. It was great to see a real mix in the models. Diverse in shapes and sizes helped to understand what the clothes look like on customers and not just a stereotype 6 foot model.
For our first show we headed to the beautiful grounds of Amaliehaven for Lovechild 1979. There wasn’t an empty seat as we all waited for the show to begin. It was hot and the show start was ‘fashionably’ late to begin. The shows are in various locations all around the city so any delays to start times can have a knock on to attending the next show.
The show didn’t disappoint, a mix of beautiful tailoring, floaty dresses and occasional leather pieces in muted tones, their collection is typically Danish. It was great to see a real mix in the models. Diverse in shapes and sizes helped to understand what the clothes look like on customers and not just a stereotype 6 foot model.
As the show ends and the guests move on, we head for the metro to the Bella Centre, home to CIFF, the trade show we will visit on Wednesday.
The next show was for Stamm. Selected as Copenhagen Fashion Week Newtalent, I didn’t really know what to expect. Located in an elevated basketball court / children’s play park, the set up for this show was very different. Seats were limited, creating a circular runway, with most guests standing. Again it was very hot and we were made to wait before the show opened with several pigeons being released from baskets. A hard soundtrack raised the energy. The crowd was different for this show. Cooler, grundgy, daring. The outfits in the crowd give a feel for what I might expect next.
The next show was for Stamm. Selected as Copenhagen Fashion Week Newtalent, I didn’t really know what to expect. Located in an elevated basketball court / children’s play park, the set up for this show was very different. Seats were limited, creating a circular runway, with most guests standing. Again it was very hot and we were made to wait before the show opened with several pigeons being released from baskets. A hard soundtrack raised the energy. The crowd was different for this show. Cooler, grundgy, daring. The outfits in the crowd give a feel for what I might expect next.
The models off all shapes and sizes (again) walked at varying pace around the inner circle then the outside off all the guests so everyone got a good view of each outfit. The best way to describe the collection was casual aggression. Sportswear mixed with fluid tailoring and knee high boots. Everything was mix and match. A trend in both shows was highlighting underwear, Knickers being pulled high above the waistline to add an extra visible layer to your outfits. It definitely beats a builders bum.
When the show finished it was amusing to watch people leave via the 5 metre childrens slide as the rest headed towards their next stop. Some of the man made fibres on show weren’t made for sliding!
When the show finished it was amusing to watch people leave via the 5 metre childrens slide as the rest headed towards their next stop. Some of the man made fibres on show weren’t made for sliding!
We move on, back into the centre of town to our first presentation with Another Aspect. A Danish menswear brand we are launching for SS25. A large crowd had already gathered and I was welcomed with a martini. As already mentioned we have intentions to launch this brand next summer so it was a good chance to take a look through the range that had newly arrived for Autumn. Guests spilled out onto the pavement, this was very well attended, and entertained by a 3 piece jazz collective playing in the window of the store. We are really excited about bringing this brand to you.
A walk back through the city in the evening sunshine back to the hotel for a quick change before food. There were lots of other fringe events happening all around the city for fashion week. You have to be selective to the ones you attend, if at all, as it’s easy to get carried away. With a busy trade show day ahead tomorrow, the choice was to write up my notes on the day and avoid a hangover the next day.
Food was from the brilliant Hija de Sanchez. Superb Mexican food that has a few locations across the city. A former chef at Noma (most chefs appear to have worked there in some capacity) the food was superb. Simple but packed full of flavour. I had the 3 taco combo and a rice and beans side. I’d once again chosen the meat packing venue.
A walk back through the city in the evening sunshine back to the hotel for a quick change before food. There were lots of other fringe events happening all around the city for fashion week. You have to be selective to the ones you attend, if at all, as it’s easy to get carried away. With a busy trade show day ahead tomorrow, the choice was to write up my notes on the day and avoid a hangover the next day.
Food was from the brilliant Hija de Sanchez. Superb Mexican food that has a few locations across the city. A former chef at Noma (most chefs appear to have worked there in some capacity) the food was superb. Simple but packed full of flavour. I had the 3 taco combo and a rice and beans side. I’d once again chosen the meat packing venue.
Day 3 - Trade shows
Today is a different type of day, it’s the opening of CIFF, a huge trade show located just outside the city centre. Over 1200 brands showing their collections to the thousands of buyers attending. When I arrived it was already very busy. Some brands take huge spaces and entertain guests with food, drinks and freebies. As it’s late in the season there is a lot of order writing at the show. We take the opportunity to catch up with old and new brands as we wander round the vast halls packed with brands.
First stop is a re-visit of Brixtol Textiles. I've have looked at the brand for a couple of seasons now and feel it may be the right time to introduce it into store. Based in Sweden it’s famous for its outerwear, but with an ever improving ready to wear element. We had a pre booked appointment with Another Aspect to make our selection after viewing it at the presentation last night.
There are too many brands to be able to look at everything so it’s always worth planning your visit and not get too distracted.
First stop is a re-visit of Brixtol Textiles. I've have looked at the brand for a couple of seasons now and feel it may be the right time to introduce it into store. Based in Sweden it’s famous for its outerwear, but with an ever improving ready to wear element. We had a pre booked appointment with Another Aspect to make our selection after viewing it at the presentation last night.
There are too many brands to be able to look at everything so it’s always worth planning your visit and not get too distracted.
After hours of walking round the halls it was time to head back and get ready for our next fashion show. Of course food was needed as it was an evening show. Located near the hotel is Smagsloget. Founded in 2008, they make some of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had. Choice was the Danish meatball with Swiss cheese. When it was handed over it could have been a wrapped up brick it was that heavy! Highly recommend this place.
The only show for me today was Baum und Pferdgarten. This was guaranteed to be a highlight of the week. The show was to take place at Osterbro Stadium, located next to Parken, home of FC Copenhagen and the Danish national team. FC Copenhagen where actually playing at home that night right alongside one of fashion weeks biggest shows. The setting was stunning, a beautiful athletics stadium, wrapped in grand buildings. A huge crowd where sat in the large stand and along both sides of the athletics track. Called ‘office olympics ‘ it was the perfect setting. The sun was shining as 30 outfits were shown by walking down the track to Depeche mode. We have already made our selection for this season but it was really interesting to see how they styled each outfit. The guests put a lot of effort into their own outfits, Baum being represented by almost everyone.
The only show for me today was Baum und Pferdgarten. This was guaranteed to be a highlight of the week. The show was to take place at Osterbro Stadium, located next to Parken, home of FC Copenhagen and the Danish national team. FC Copenhagen where actually playing at home that night right alongside one of fashion weeks biggest shows. The setting was stunning, a beautiful athletics stadium, wrapped in grand buildings. A huge crowd where sat in the large stand and along both sides of the athletics track. Called ‘office olympics ‘ it was the perfect setting. The sun was shining as 30 outfits were shown by walking down the track to Depeche mode. We have already made our selection for this season but it was really interesting to see how they styled each outfit. The guests put a lot of effort into their own outfits, Baum being represented by almost everyone.
Day 4 - final day
Up early and out of the hotel. First stop was back at the Bella Centre for the 30th anniversary show for Munthe. Again we had already done the buy for this but seeing it styled on the catwalk really helps us when selling on the shop floor. We even secured a spare copy of the amazing photo book each (seated) guest was given! The show was truly beautiful. Elegant. We start with the brand for PS25 arriving roughly October November time. Very excited to get this onboard as we are the most northern stockists and will compliment our current mix.
Quick trip back into town - deciding what to do. Had a bit of time so took the chance to sit by the water and enjoy an amazing wild boar pie by Wild Kiwi Pies. Packed full of meat (and flavour), now recharged it was a metro to a new district in Copenhagen I’ve never been too before.
The afternoon promised to be unique, and I felt quite privileged to be a part of. Located at the Krane, a one bedroom hotel and event space, Astrid Anderson was hosting a talk with Dazed magazine for her new brand Stel. I wasn’t fortunate to get an invite to her presentation the day before in the same location to launch the brand but this was an afternoon well spent. Learning about launching a new brand in an incredible setting was very special.
I had the time to take the walk into town (about an hour) and took in some amazing sights and different types of housing estates. I popped back to Another Aspect to buy a cap (those that know me, know a cap is important to me!) I then headed to the waterfront. Weather has been amazing throughout the whole trip but now, as I want to rest for a bit and read a book, the heavens open. Not for long, but long enough for me to decide I need a pint and a hotdog before I head to the airport and possibly one of the most famous burgers in the world.
I had a quick drink at the hotel. Made some notes of the trip, added to the blog. A pint in the sun and gathered my thoughts. I made a note.
‘I feel inspired’
Copenhagen does that for me.
A quick train ride back to the airport and a gasoline grill. A very famous burger joint, never disappoints. Ever.
Now heading home - I love Copenhagen. I love the people. I can’t recommend the place highly enough. It’s unique. It has something that grabs you and pulls you back again. Can’t wait for the next trip in January. I did this trip on a really tight budget and it was fun to try and find new places to eat and drink, it added a different angle to the trip.
A quick train ride back to the airport and a gasoline grill. A very famous burger joint, never disappoints. Ever.
Now heading home - I love Copenhagen. I love the people. I can’t recommend the place highly enough. It’s unique. It has something that grabs you and pulls you back again. Can’t wait for the next trip in January. I did this trip on a really tight budget and it was fun to try and find new places to eat and drink, it added a different angle to the trip.
Thanks to Copenhagen fashion week, CIFF and Somewhere agency (Aislinn) for helping with tickets and invites.