Fashion Talent Showcase: Copenhagen Fashion Week and the Victoria and Albert Museum Announce Their Collaboration Across the V&A Fashion in Motion

The London Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)'s Fashion in Motion project continues to offer an international stage for emerging design talent. For its May 2025 edition, Fashion in Motion will spotlight five rising designers from Denmark, celebrating the creativity, innovation, and expressive spirit that Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) has become known for.

Image:  Copenhagen Fashion Week

This initiative is a collaboration between the V&A and Copenhagen Fashion Week, which is recognized as Northern Europe’s leading fashion week as part of its broader effort to strengthen ties with the UK’s creative and cultural industries.

Scheduled for May 30, 2025, the showcase will feature five emerging designers who embody the innovation, creativity, and expressive spirit that CPHFW has helped pioneer on the international stage. Presented within the historic Raphael Court, three special catwalk presentations will be staged for the public, highlighting the collections of Alectra Rothschild / Masculina, Berner Kühl, Bonnetje, Stamm, and Stem.

Four of the designers—Rothschild / Masculina, Berner Kühl, Bonnetje, and Stamm—are part of the CPHFW NEWTALENT programme, an initiative dedicated to nurturing rising Nordic creatives. They will be joined by Stem, the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize.

The five designers will each present six key looks that reflect their individual vision and dedication to craftsmanship and creative expression.

The collaboration marks a significant moment in Copenhagen Fashion Week’s ongoing strategy to strengthen its ties with the UK’s creative and cultural industries. Speaking about the project, Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of CPHFW, remarked,

"The Victoria and Albert Museum is a cultural cornerstone of the British creative scene. To present rising Danish talent through the V&A’s Fashion in Motion platform is a remarkable opportunity. By showcasing our NEWTALENT designers alongside the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize winner, we hope to offer a strong visual representation of Denmark’s burgeoning fashion scene—and to build even stronger bridges between our two industries."

Oriole Cullen, Senior Curator of Fashion and Textiles at the V&A, echoed the sentiment, saying,

"Fashion in Motion gives us the opportunity to collaborate with exceptional creatives from around the world. We’re thrilled to partner with Copenhagen Fashion Week to showcase the exciting new voices shaping the future of Nordic fashion."

Since its inception in 1999, the Fashion in Motion series has offered free-to-attend catwalk shows within the V&A, providing the public with rare access to live runway experiences typically reserved for the industry elite. It has previously spotlighted fashion luminaries such as Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier, Erdem, Gareth Pugh, and Guo Pei, among others.

The May 2025 showcase promises to continue this tradition, offering museum visitors a front-row seat to some of Denmark’s most exciting emerging talents—and reaffirming Copenhagen Fashion Week’s reputation as a global leader in progressive, forward-thinking fashion.

Copenhagen Fashion Week: Marimekko's Spring Summer 2025 collection celebrates a Parade of Flowers

Finnish design house Marimekko's Spring Summer 2025 ready-to-wear show at Copenhagen Fashion Week explores The Anatomy of a Flower – a conceptual theme that is celebrated in Marimekko collections throughout 2025. 

To showcase its vibrant Spring Summer 2025 collection, Marimekko turned the Opera Park of Copenhagen into a parade ground of twisting paths, where guests sat in a field of wildflowers and enjoyed the dynamic collection as energetic techno beats by DJ Nene H played at the Copenhagen harbour.

It's a collection that presents an entire bouquet of abstract floral patterns from renowned Marimekko designers, such as Fujiwo Ishimoto, Maija Isola and Lotta Maija, featuring draped layers, petal-like details, and functional summer pieces from coordinated sets to breezy dresses. 

To celebrate a key characteristic of Marimekko, happy contradictions, feminine floral references meet with contradicting bold graphic prints in watered-down aqua blues, rosy reds and cool spearmints, accompanied by tiger lily oranges and delicate lilacs.

“Our fast-paced Spring/Summer 2025 runway show highlights the essence of the Marimekko dress as a non-restrictive garment to live in, even to run in. The collection showcases petal-like references in draping, layering as well as in material characteristics. We experiment with bold circle cuts, round shapes that will fold and unfold around the body as blooming flowers. As part of our dynamic runway show, we present the latest addition to the Marimekko Artist Series with our collaboration with London-based artist Petra Börner, whose artworks echo Marimekko’s design philosophy, bold aesthetic and optimism perfectly”, said Rebekka Bay, Creative Director at Marimekko.

The capsule collection showcasing four exclusive artworks by Börner (whose works have been translated into pieces of wearable art at Marimekko’s own textile printing factory in Helsinki)  features carefully curated dress canvases for Börner's beautiful floral universe, in which her unique way of using colours as a backdrop for her line drawings creates a vivid reflection of the lively nature of flowers and other subjects. 

Marimekko Artist Series, which invites emerging and celebrated artists to collaborate on exclusive Marimekko capsule collections, was introduced to push Marimekko’s art of printmaking into uncharted waters and give creatives a new canvas on which to present their work. The collection featuring Börner’s artworks extends across Marimekko’s entire lifestyle portfolio from ready-to-wear to home décor.

The Spring/Summer 2025 collection also saw the expansion of Marimekko’s highly anticipated denim line, Marimekko Maridenim. The collection features new patterned denim styles, including a denim jacket and shorts. The first Marimekko Maridenim collection launches in stores globally this August.

All images by James Cochrane, courtesy of Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Copenhagen Fashion Week: Baum und Pferdgarten's Office Olympics collection a Gold Medal performance

Danish fashion house Baum und Pferdgarten debuted its Spring Summer 2025 collection, titled "Office Olympics," during Copenhagen Fashion Week for the first time.

Copenhagen-based designers Rikke Baumgarten and Helle Hestehave drew inspiration from the summer of 2024, a season dominated by sports that infused every aspect of daily life. 

Timed perfectly to show during the final week of the Paris Summer Olympic Games, the collection promised—and delivered—a seamless blend of office sophistication and sporty energy, capturing the essence of the modern professional wardrobe.

According to the designers, as people left their offices to follow the games, this vibrant energy became the heart of their collection. 

"Office Olympics is about fusing the sophistication of office wear with the energy of athletic aesthetics, creating a collection that is both functional and fashionable. We wanted to bring the excitement of the sports world into the office environment," said the two creative directors.

The collection introduces a versatile range of pieces that combine sporty elements with feminine details. Football-inspired shirts, sporty logos, and stripes are paired with light dresses, skirts, frills, and sequined pieces, alongside traditional office attire like paneled polo shirts, blazers, and cardigans, resulting in a harmonious blend of styles.

The colour palette features refreshing pastels—light purple, blue, and green tones—complemented by brown and bold red accents, along with vibrant floral prints that evoke a sense of optimism.

Tailored blazers, trousers, and skirts offer both flexibility and comfort, ideal for navigating a busy workday. Playful sporty elements add a modern edge to traditional office wear, creating a versatile mix-and-match collection where pencil skirts pair with sporty oversized T-shirts, encouraging personal creativity.

 

The "Office Olympics" show was held at Østerbro Stadium in collaboration with the iconic Copenhagen football club B.93 and their women’s team. Noteworthy accessories included handbags shaped like footballs, particularly a glittering version designed for evening wear to complement sequined separates.

Baum und Pferdgarten’s new collection reflects their commitment to merging corporate elegance with athletic dynamism, all while preserving the brand's signature blend of comfort and chic appeal.

The runway cast featured a mix of models and friends of the brand, including familiar faces who have previously walked for Baum und Pferdgarten, as well as new talent. M.A.C. Cosmetics Nordics provided makeup, while Oribe styled the hair, ensuring the models embodied the perfect blend of sophistication and sportiness. 

A special T-shirt, inspired by classic football shirts and the collaboration with B.93, was also showcased on the runway. This exclusive piece will be available for immediate purchase on Baum und Pferdgarten’s webshop and at their Copenhagen Flagship Store shortly after the show.

All images by James Cochrane, courtesy of Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Copenhagen Fashion Week: OpéraSPORT bridges classic Parisian looks with a Danish sporty twist

While Paris welcomes the world's sports elites this month to the Olympic Games, many from the fashion world have flocked to Copenhagen for its Fashion Week. Earlier in the week, OpéraSPORT, a brand celebrated for blending Parisian classic and contemporary styles with Copenhagen's sporty flair, unveiled its Spring Summer 2025 Collection in an open-air presentation at the Exillion Garden, a hidden gem north of Copenhagen, on the event's opening day.

This private garden epitomizes the harmonious blend of natural beauty and architectural elegance, serving as the muse for the latest designs from the fashion brand founded in 2019 by Stephanie Gundelach, a creative consultant and stylist, and Awa Malina Stelter, whose expertise in design and production brings significant advantages. 

The designers aim to ensure the new collection is both relevant and timeless, combining luxury with affordability, sustainability with sexiness, and elegance with sportiness. The collection features 80 styles and a variety of accessories.

Drawing inspiration from the formal, precise lines of the Italian Renaissance and French Baroque areas in the garden, the brand's SS25 Collection incorporates elements of this heritage. Their designs mirror a timeless aesthetic, where classic architecture meets lush greenery, resulting in pieces that are both sophisticated and functional.

OpéraSPORT remains true to their DNA by exclusively using recycled or organic fabrics.

Highlights include '90s-inspired stripe prints in poplin and accessories, black quilted vegan leather for jackets and separates, an expanded pocket on the signature everyday Jerome bag, and new colourways of the brand’s popular Shirley Bag.

The collection offers versatile ensembles suitable for day-to-evening transitions, along with an array of dresses and swimwear. It features a new quilt print, embroidery designs, and a palette that includes floral colours, as well as red, dewberry, blue, white, black, and parsnip.

The designers have also expanded their seamless capsule collection of bestsellers from previous seasons and unisex offerings, catering to a diverse audience.

All images by James Cochrane, courtesy of Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Fashion Trade Fair: Copenhagen Fashion Week Announces Show & Presentation Schedule for SS25

Copenhagen Fashion Week is going from strength to strength, announcing the next edition of shows, exhibitions and presentations for the Spring Summer 2025 season will take place from August 5 - 9, 2024, featuring 44 brands and institutions.  

The trade show is building its momentum on its unique blend of reputable Nordic names and international vanguards in its  four-day programme underscoring its rise in the global fashion calendar, highlighting both key international and Nordic leaders, along with emerging innovators. 

This edition will continue to introduce new designers, welcome back returning brands, and host exciting new names over the duration of the show, while the trade show has also reaffirmed its partnership with Fashion Helsinki as Knowledge Partner of CPHFW NEWTALENT.

Runway shows and presentations will integrate to allow for a more versatile offering, reflecting the evolving creative landscape of the Nordic fashion industry.  All shows will be streamed live on the CPHFW YouTube channel and accessible on the Copenhagen Fashion Week homepage for our global audience. 

Presentation slots, allocated a two-hour window, will be interspersed between shows, allowing guests to attend both. Futhermore, the schedule will include a break on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, providing space for a burgeoning lineup of talks, events, showrooms, and trade fairs.

CPHFW has also established the NEWTALENT scheme to nurture, develop, and promote emerging Nordic talent on a global scale.

Each of the brands admitted to this scheme will be provided with sessions from globally leading mentors and advisers. 

These industry leaders have committed themselves to uplifting the emerging talent from the Nordics and sharing their knowledge and expertise to encourage business growth and strong foundations.

The lineup of international mentors for the August edition has now been announced. They include: Bruce Pask, Senior Editorial Director of Neiman Marcus; Clara Cornet, Fashion and Beauty Strategic Partnerships of Instagram; Denise Christensen, CEO of Birger Christensen Collective; Dio Kurazawa, Co-Founder of The Bear Scouts; ESPRIT Representative Ida Petersson, Co-Founder, Good Eggs Agency; Julie Verdich, Material Innovation Lead of GANNI; Mahoro Seward, Senior Fashion Features Editor of i-D; Nicolaj Reffstrup, Founder of GANNI; and Vikram Menon, Director & Finance Consultant of Fashionex.

Fashion Trade Event: Copenhagen Fashion Week announces brand line up for SS25; Sinéad O'Dwyer awarded Zalando Visionary Award 2024, CPHFW NEWTALENT recipients revealed for the August edition

Copenhagen Fashion Week August 2024 edition's full lineup has been unveiled, featuring 46 brands and institutions poised to showcase their collections on the official show and presentation schedule. 

Rotate AW24 runway show at Copenhagen Fashion Week
Image by James Cochrane from CFW. 

Sinéad O'Dwyer wins the 
Zalando Visionary Award 2024

Among the highlights, Sinéad O'Dwyer has been announced as the recipient of the Zalando Visionary Award 2024, with the Irish designer's collection set to debut on the Copenhagen runway in August as part of the SS25 schedule.

The annual award is based on three pillars: creativity and design, social impact and innovation. 

Sinéad O'Dwyer has been recognised by the award jury for her innovative, joyful, and avant-garde creations that redefine the boundaries of fashion. With a unique blend of artistry and technical expertise, Sinéad O'Dwyer explores themes of identity, body positivity, and self-expression through her designs. 

As winner of the award, Sinéad O'Dwyer will receive a €50,000 prize.  For her collection presentation at Copenhagen Fashion Week in August 2024, additional support from Zalando will be provided for the show production to highlight the brand's dedication to diversity and innovation.

In addition, Copenhagen Fashion Week has revealed the designers selected for the CPHFW NEWTALENT scheme for the SS25 season. Berner Kühl joins the ranks alongside Stamm and Alectra Rothschild/MASCULINA, while Rolf Ekroth will present his third and final showcase under the scheme. Notably, Bonnetje, Sól Hansdóttir, and Stem have been recognized as CPHFW NEWTALENT One To Watch. 

Looking ahead to the SS25 season, Copenhagen Fashion Week continues to build momentum with a lineup of 46 brands and institutions confirmed for August 2024.  

The SS25 brand lineup showcases a mix of established leaders and emerging innovators, including newcomers like Berner Kühl alongside returning favorites such as A. Roege Hove, Jade Cropper, Latimmier, and Rabens Saloner. 

For the first time, the event will feature both runway shows and presentations, reflecting the evolving creative landscape of the Nordic fashion industry. This merge underscores Copenhagen Fashion Week's stature as a global leader in the fashion calendar.

With a curated selection of new names, Copenhagen Fashion Week presents a dynamic programme over four days, highlighting both Nordic talent and international vanguards. This blend further solidifies the event's international standing within the global fashion industry.  

Click HERE for full line-up.

Fashion Fair: Copenhagen Fashion Week announces Official Talk Programme and New Talent updates

Gearing up for the forthcoming edition, Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPW) (to be held from January 29 to February 2, 2024), announces the first release of the Official Talk Programme, Small talks - big conversations, for AW24, to a live audience, with a dedicated talk being held each day in the dedicated Talk Venue hosted in the Polestar Space in the heart of Copenhagen. 

CPW also announce Vogue Business as official media partner for the second season, who will use their global audience to amplify the reach of the talks that will be launched as podcasts post release. Attendance to the talk programme is open to the public and will be on a first come first served basis. Each talk will include a 30 minute panel followed by a 15 minute Q&A. 

The talk series makes up a vital element of the official schedule each season, representing an opportunity to dig deeper into wider issues facing fashion. For AW24, Copenhagen Fashion Week has invited industry leaders and creatives to discuss a wide range of topics and issues within the fashion industry.⁠

Keep an eye on @cphfw Instagram channel for announcements of the talk panelists and visit copenhagenfashionweek.com for the detailed schedule release and updates. Vogue Business exclusive CPHFW discount: ⁠

Vogue Business offers a global perspective on the fashion industry, exploring how cultural trends and global patterns will impact luxury and creative businesses. Harnessing insights from technologists, trend forecasters, futurists, and innovators, Vogue Business goes beyond the headlines to connect professionals with the fast-moving fashion and beauty industries. 

CPHFW NEWTALENT Showroom supported by CIRCULOSE®  

During the AW24 season, CPHFW NEWTALENT will host a showroom supported by CIRCULOSE® as the main partner of the scheme, introducing the Nordic and international press and buyer community to a selection of leading emerging designers of the Nordics.  This is the CPW's ongoing effort to nurture emerging talents from the Nordics with a range of activations to spotlight the next generation of fashion visionaries. This season Alectra Rothschild and Stamm will present their first showcases as part of the scheme, with Nicklas Skovgaard and Rolf Ekroth presenting for the second time.

A total of 6 emerging designers are featured in the showroom, including CPHFW Alumni Latimmier, represented by Fashion in Helsinki as well as MLGA, represented by Alpha. 

CPHFW NEWTALENT One To Watch is a recognition spotlight granted to a designer or brand with an exceptional creative vision. Alongside extensive communication by Copenhagen Fashion Week, the brand is provided a free slot on the official Presentation & Event schedule for showcasing their collection as an installation during fashion week.

For AW24 CPHFW NEWTALENT's One to Watch is Martin Quad alongside the talent from SS24, MLGA. They are highlighted as key brands within the Copenhagen Fashion Week edition that are representative of the next generation of creative talent.

All images from Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Fashion: Marimekko Spring/Summer ’24 catwalk celebrates its iconic "Unikko" pattern at Copenhagen Fashion Week

One of the many well-known names showing during Copenhagen Fashion Week, which was held  August 7 to 10 2023, is the Finnish fashion and lifestyle brand, Marimekko, renowned for its distinctive and bold design aesthetic that fuses vibrant colors, bold patterns, and a sense of timeless simplicity. 

Marimekko's iconic prints and patterns are often inspired by nature, folk art, and the modernist design movement.  By fusing bold design, functionality, and cultural heritage,  Marimekko's gained a global following for its timeless style.

In presenting Marimekko's Spring/Summer ’24 collection, which was shown on the runway at Designmuseum Danmark in Copenhagen, the brand is also celebrating the 60th anniversary in 2024 of its most iconic floral print design "Unikko" that features large-scale, abstract poppy flowers, now an emblematic symbol of the brand.

Today the Unikko pattern and its bank of bold signature patterns and colours are found on a wide range of lifestyle products, including bags and accessories, home textiles, tableware, and even furniture.

True to its DNA, Marimekko's SS24 collection merges feminine minimalism with modern utilitarian workwear, both equally representative of the rich design heritage at Marimekko, characterized by clean lines, functional silhouettes, and the use of bold, eye-catching prints. The designs prioritize comfort and wearability while maintaining a sense of artistic expression. 

The brand's name, "Marimekko," translates to "Mary's Dress" in Finnish, reflecting its origin in textile and clothing design.  

Founded in 1951 by Armi Ratia and her husband Viljo Ratia, Marimekko quickly gained international recognition for its innovative approach to design, becoming a symbol of Finnish design excellence and creativity.

Today the brand trumpets its commitment to responsible sourcing of materials and ethical production methods, aligning with its values of quality, longevity, and respect for nature. 

Extending its influence beyond its native Finland, the brand has a global presence, with flagship stores in major cities and collaborations with various designers and brands. 

Copenhagen Fashion Week  is the go-to event for the latest trends in Scandinavian fashion, cutting-edge designs, with sustainability and ethical fashion as its central theme, and a unique platform for both established and emerging designers to present their collections to a global audience of fashion enthusiasts, industry professionals, buyers, and press.  

The twice-a-year event has gained international recognition for its strong emphasis on promoting environmentally conscious practices and responsible production within the fashion industry.  This focus aligns with the region's reputation for prioritizing eco-friendly and socially responsible approaches to design and manufacturing.

Photos from Copenhagen Fashion Week August 2023