Hej fra from Denmark, friends! Copenhagen Fashion Week has just closed another season and it seems like every single one feels newsworthy here. It could be because it’s a younger fashion week compared to the rest, so we are witnessing it continuing to evolve and find its place, or perhaps it’s the emerging talent that continues to pop up and be championed. There’s always something to look forward to, even if you don’t know what it is yet.
This season, a fresh crop of designers presented their work at CPHFW. At the same time, tried-and-true Scandinavian fashion week veterans found the balance between strong commercial pieces while simultaneously pushing fashion forward. Amongst the fresh crop of designers was P.L.N., founded in 2020 by Peter Lundvald Nielsen. The Spring/Summer 2023 collection was a statement in detail-oriented solid craftsmanship and aesthetics. With fantastic casting and a bold vision, P.L.N. will be a designer we’re keeping our eyes on. Then there was Soulland, whose collection debuted a collaboration with everyone’s favorite character, Hello Kitty. Wood Wood’s Escape To Paradise show marked their return back to the Copenhagen Fashion Week calendar and did not disappoint with a sharp focus on classic active pieces. And Saks Potts debuted their biggest show yet in Copenhagen’s Kongens Nytorv, a large public square.
As Copenhagen Fashion Week continues to expand and build its reach globally, its sustainability initiative, which requires all designers on the calendar to meet production requirements, provides a strong foundation for designers hoping to participate. This season saw Copenhagen Fashion Week expand into partnerships with TikTok and Ukrainian Fashion Week, where Ukrainian designers T.G. Botanical and COAT showcased their Spring/Summer collections.
Copenhagen Fashion Week continues to serve as an inspiring resource for how to continue to build a community and set the foundation for ethical and sustainable fashion consumption. It’s apparent in the trends at fashion week as well, where quality and longevity are the priority. Ahead are five trends from this season’s Copenhagen Fashion Week shows that will withstand the test of time:
Redefining Gray
Haven’t we seen enough gray? While it may seem like fashion is moving toward the louder, the better, designers like Sophia Roe at The Garment and Skall Studio are asking us to pause swapping our classic gray trousers for hot pink ones. It’s about styling them right with a casual white tank top. Instead of the little black dress, consider a little gray dress instead.
A New Lens on Classics
We’ve heard it time and again, always invest in classics. This season, designers are urging us to invest in the classics but don’t limit ourselves. Think cropped trench coats with curved shoulders, denim jackets that are layered yet streamlined, and white poplin shirts that aren’t really white poplin shirts at all! Just because they are classics doesn’t mean you can’t be creative. They can still be worn in many ways. It’s all about being imaginative in how you style it.
Dare to Denim
Every season sees a new denim trend. In this one, we saw denim with slight treatments that made a big difference. From a red and blue bleached worn wash at Ganni to a uniquely tied waistband at Jade Cropper, denim was the star of many shows. It was all about the fit in previous seasons, whether low-rise jeans or ultra baggy pants held up with a belt. For next season, we can look forward to some colorful treatments, clean patchwork, and never seen waistbands.
Laced Up
Pay attention to your laces, everyone! Sure, there’s a lot of tying involved regarding this trend but we promise it’s well worth it. OpéraSPORT’s show focused on dresses, tops, and skirts with tie detailing, while knitwear designer A.Roege Hove’s collection included ties with subtle placements but extra long laces. The great benefit of clothing with ties is that it provides versatility in how you wear it.
Sheer Genius
With heat waves sweeping Europe this year, designers are brainstorming creative ways to make clothing that will cool you down. From knits that provide coverage with subtle patterns and breathability to airy lacework that gives your wardrobe texture and depth, sheer head-to-toe is (thankfully) extending far beyond chiffon and tulle and entering a realm of comfortability and ease.