Buttercream dresses, button-down shirts with oversized collars, shoelace threaders, and quirky hair accessories were just a few of the Danish trends that took Copenhagen Fashion Week by storm this season. The city undoubtedly has a style all its own – a playful take on fashion. While a few Danish brands (Ganni, Cecilie Bahnsen, Saks Potts) have brought Copenhagen fame in the global fashion industry, they are also paving the way for emerging Scandinavian brands to continue their legacy. Copenhagen Fashion Week sets itself apart from other fashion weeks by focusing on emerging talent, and this week several smaller brands took center stage as a new class of designers define the Copenhagen fashion scene.
“In general, we embrace the philosophy that beauty and functionality coexist,” Opera Sport designer and co-founder Awa Marina Stelter said when asked how she would describe Danish style. “We achieve a harmonious balance between simplicity and sophistication, with an emphasis on clean lines, a subtle color palette, and premium materials.” Given Copenhagen’s history and its place in the interior design world, it’s no surprise that these design principles are on display at Copenhagen Fashion Week. For emerging designer Niklas Skovgaard, the energy of Danish style is palpable. “I think what defines Danish style is rather the approach to clothing and the emotions you have,” he says. “I think the affinity of our clothing has to do with how clothes fit into your life, and I think that’s very Danish.”
Emerging Danish and Scandinavian designers expressed their views on style and dressing through their Spring/Summer 2025 collections. Knitwear brand A. Roege Hove returned to the CPHFW schedule after a short hiatus (designer Amalie decided to shut down her eponymous label last fall, in part due to unpaid orders from retailers). With the backing of investors, the designer made a triumphant return with a runway show inside a brewery, where models wore Amalie’s signature ribbed dresses, tops, and skirts. Across town, popular menswear (and now womenswear) designer Mfpen opened his first store, with racks of pleated trousers and impeccable shirts. This year’s Scandinavian designers ranged from quirky and frilly to tailored and sophisticated (in fact, those are the only two categories of clothing in Denmark), but they shared a unique sensibility: thinking about how you feel when you wear them.
Despite the fact that these brands are small and local, there are several places in the U.S. where you can shop their latest collections. Below, you’ll find some of the latest talent from Scandinavian designers this season.
Caro Edition
Founded by Danish model and fashion icon Caroline Bille Brahe, Caro Editions reflects Caroline’s personal style ethos: eclectic, feminine and nostalgic. With a focus on using deadstock and recycled fabrics, the brand infuses its twice-yearly collections with a sense of old and new. Styles like over-the-shoulder jackets, beaded trousers and reversible bucket hats evoke the feeling of pulling out of a wardrobe full of styles that fuse Danish tradition with contemporary dressing.
Mark Kenley Dominotan Studio
The Copenhagen-based brand was founded just over 10 years ago. Mark Kenley Domino Tan Studio is known for bringing a touch of luxury to everyday wear with fine fabrics, sleek silhouettes and a neutral colour palette. The brand produces pieces that are designed to be worn again and again and passed down through generations. Their approach to sustainability, in addition to using carefully sourced natural materials, is that making things last is the best way to minimise waste.
Mupen
Designer Sigurd Bank founded Mfpen in 2015 with the vision of creating wearable clothes made from quality fabrics. Bank says that for him, true Danish design is “relaxed, easy-going, not pretentious. A bit safe, classic, slightly conservative… but not in a bad way.” Since branching out into womenswear last year, Mfpen has gained even more of a Copenhagen cult following with its shirts and slacks. For Sigurd, inspiration for his collections can come from anywhere. “Lately I’ve been digging a lot of old imagery from the ’70s and ’80s krautrock/German industrial scene,” he says. “Bands like Grauzone, DAF, Einstürzende, Neubauten… I’m a big fan of that music too.”
Niklas Skovgaard
Raised on the outskirts of Copenhagen, designer Niklas Skovgaard gets most of his inspiration from the internet, through muses like Tavi Gevinson and, of course, his mother, who made dressing up an event. After buying a loom in 2020 and starting to weave his own pieces, he launched his eponymous brand, a line of imaginative, feminine silhouettes. “I don’t think Danish style is just one thing to describe,” Skovgaard says. “For me, it can be so many different things, minimalist, maximalist, or anything in between, and still feels very Danish to me.” A few years into his business, Skovgaard still draws inspiration from his mother. “It was her who introduced me to fashion as a kid growing up on a small island in the ’90s,” he says. “Seeing this very personal approach to getting dressed for every day or going out really ignited my love for fashion. It’s a big reason why I love making clothes.”
A. Loge Hoeve
Founded in 2019 by Amalie Rogge Hove, a former designer at Copenhagen-based design house Cecil Bahnsen, A. Rogge Hove puts an original twist on knitwear. “Danish style is simple, not too complicated,” she says. “I don’t think minimalism is that important anymore; it’s more about looking effortless.” The designer, who relaunched her label this season, continues to find inspiration in materials. “I’m inspired by materials with all kinds of textures,” Hove says, “but preferably things that fit on the knitting machine.”
Clothing
Designer duo Charlotte Eskildsen and Sophia Lo founded The Garment in 2020. The Copenhagen-based label is known for its refined, elegant knitwear and tailored essentials in neutral hues and versatile silhouettes. This year, The Garment presented its Spring 2025 collection in the courtyard of Copenhagen’s Thorvaldsens Museum. The pieces had an ethereal feel—flowing cream- and cerulean-hued sheer dresses and trousers with matching jackets were just some of the standout pieces.
Jade Cropper
This up-and-coming Scandinavian label is a cool-girl designer in every sense of the word: since launching in 2020, her trademark sleek leather looks have already been beloved by Gigi Hadid and Kim Kardashian. This season, Cropper presented her latest collection in a warehouse-style room, with models standing on the red sand in hooded cut-out jackets, structured leather skirts, and draped jersey dresses.
Skull
This popular Danish brand was founded by designer sisters Julie and Marie Skoll, who grew up in North Jutland. Today, their line is inspired by a childhood spent outdoors in nature. The designers prioritize locally sourced materials, including wool, linen, organic cotton, and recycled cashmere, and they produce almost everything locally. For their Spring 2025 collection, Skoll Studio presented a runway show in a neutral palette. Models wore khaki gardening hats, fluffy cotton dresses, and GOTS-certified denim, all styles celebrating the outdoor lifestyle with a fashion-forward perspective.
Damson Madder
Damson Madder may be a London-based brand, but its sustainability-focused line speaks to an appreciation for the Danish spirit in Copenhagen. Founded by Emma Hill in 2020, the brand falls squarely into the playful design category, embracing colored denim, big collars, and ultra-feminine silhouettes. This year, the label hosted a breakfast during CPHFW to celebrate the brand’s huge following in London (it seems like every girl has something from Damson Madder, whether it’s a hat, bag, or jacket).
Opera Sports
“Our inspiration comes from different sources, each contributing to the aesthetic of the collection,” said Opera Sport designer and founder Awa Marina Stelter about the inspiration for her Spring 2025 show. “Nature and architecture have always been our muses, providing an endless source of textures, colors, and shapes that influence our designs. We also draw on art, history, and culture for inspiration, ensuring our collections are not only visually appealing but meaningful as well.” The brand kicked off Copenhagen Fashion Week with a seaside runway show at the Opera House on August 5. Pastel blues, belted polo tees, and pedal pushers were just some of the collection’s standout looks.
El Hanati
Copenhagen-based jewelry brand Elahanati was founded by Orit Elhanati, who draws inspiration from his Nordic and Middle Eastern heritage. Founded in 2011, the brand has garnered a loyal fanbase for its unique yellow gold statement rings and delicate sterling silver floral ornaments. Every piece is handcrafted for a luxurious feel. In addition to popular astrological pendants and beaded bracelets, Elhanati also offers a distinctive collection for men.
Rie Studio
Founded just a few years ago in 2021, the accessories brand was launched by twin sisters and models Amalie and Cecilie Moosgaard, known for their campaigns for Alex Mill. With years of experience in the fashion industry, the duo noticed a gap in luxury, yet affordable, jewelry and leather goods.
Rug Bag
This popular Danish jewelry brand was founded in Copenhagen in 2020 with an appreciation for craftsmanship and the sophisticated Danish design ethos. The pieces are equal parts modern and creative, bringing an architectural element to jewelry. All of the materials Ragbag uses are responsibly sourced, including sterling silver, 18K gold plating, freshwater pearls, and natural gemstones. And another plus is that the brand is relatively affordable for a Copenhagen jewelry brand.
Berner Kuhl
New to this season’s CPHFW label is Berner Kühl, a menswear brand offering high-quality staples with a unique personality. Founded in 2019 by designer Frederik Berner Kühl, the label uniquely blends a minimalist, modern Danish aesthetic with responsible production. Kühl takes great care in sourcing its materials (prioritizing long-lasting, durable fabrics like recycled polyamide and leather, as well as certified sustainable materials) and insists on creating only pieces that are effortlessly easy to wear. This season, the brand unveiled a collection featuring crisp white shirts, sleek black collared jackets, and charcoal grey separates. Together, these pieces create a monochrome look that effortlessly balances simplicity with avant-garde style.
