Catwalk Report: Holzweiler returns to Copenhagen Fashion Week with Autumn/Winter 2026 show - "Preservation"

Fashion brand Holzweiler returned to Copenhagen on 28 January 2026 with its Autumn/Winter 2026 runway show, marking a significant moment for the Norwegian fashion house as it resumed physical presentations after a 16-year hiatus.

Although founded in Oslo, Copenhagen was where Holzweiler’s international trajectory first took shape. The brand previously made its runway debut at Copenhagen Fashion Week, including an early collaboration with Moon, making the city a meaningful location for its return. The Autumn/Winter 2026 show was presented as both a homecoming and a step forward for the brand.

“Coming back to Copenhagen Fashion Week feels very personal to us,” said co-founder and creative director Maria Skappel Holzweiler (Right).

 “Copenhagen is where our international journey first took shape. Returning here feels like more than just showing a new season – it feels like coming back to an important chapter of our story.”

Spanning womenswear and menswear, the Autumn/Winter 2026 collection was developed around the concept of preservation, interpreted through an emotional and human lens. 

Rather than focusing on spectacle, the collection explored what lingers after shared experiences: atmosphere, memory and the subtle traces of time spent together. References included moments such as the quiet after a dinner party or what remains on the table once guests have left.

The theme builds on Holzweiler’s Spring/Summer 2026 tablescaping narrative, extending ideas of community, care and the rituals surrounding food and shared space. In this context, preservation is framed not as nostalgia, but as attentiveness to what holds value. Wrapping, layering and protective gestures were used to translate these ideas into clothing, reflecting how people safeguard objects, memories and relationships.

Silhouettes were designed to move with the body, with softly draped fabrics that fold and flow rather than sit rigidly on the skin. The collection referenced historical methods of concealment and protection, while remaining grounded in contemporary wearability. Innovation and responsibility were central to the approach, with an emphasis on durable, versatile pieces and the introduction of new fabrications and textures for the brand.

The show took place at Vandflyverhangaren, a former seaplane hangar in Copenhagen later transformed into a creative hub by Danish architect Dorte Mandrup. The venue was used for a fashion show for the first time, providing a setting closely aligned with the collection’s focus on memory and preservation. Set design made full use of the architecture, featuring large, soft curtains and a dramatic lighting composition by Jesper Kongshaug, creating an immersive environment for the presentation.

Holzweiler’s return to Copenhagen was also positioned as a reunion with the wider Scandinavian creative community, underscoring the regional values that continue to shape the brand as it enters its next chapter.  The brand tapped into the expertise of fellow Norwegian powerhouse, Magnor Glassverk for the exploration of glassware. Creative direction was led by Moon, with styling by Fran Burns and casting by Madeline Østlie. Together with a cast of strong, individual characters on the runway, the show becomes a collective expression shaped by trust, shared history, and collaboration - values that have always been central to Holzweiler.

Images by James Cochrane / Copenhagen Fashion Week

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.