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Copenhagen Trend Week (CPHFW) has change into trend’s most forward-thinking runway. As the primary cease on the worldwide trend calendar, it units greater than traits—it units requirements. With a fierce dedication to sustainability and a popularity for easy Scandinavian fashion, CPHFW is the place trendy minimalism meets moral innovation. Dubbed the “fifth trend week,” Copenhagen isn’t chasing relevance—it’s defining it.
Assume recycled materials, gender-fluid tailoring, and runways that really care concerning the planet. Assume cutting-edge innovation in “Nordic” fashion, progressive insurance policies, and unmatched assist for each established and rising designers.
Copenhagen Trend Week (CPHFW) is presently underway from August 4th to August eighth, 2025.
Business’s Conscience In A Couture Coat
As Copenhagen Trend Week (CPHFW) unfolds, it reaffirms its standing because the world’s most sustainable trend week—a title earned by means of motion, not aesthetics alone. With daring traits, inclusive runways, and Nordic fashion evolution on full show, CPHFW continues to set the tone for the season forward.
The Historical past of Copenhagen Trend Week: From Commerce Festivals to World Affect
CFW’s roots attain again to the Nineteen Fifties, when Danish clothes commerce gala’s like Dansk Modeuge laid the inspiration for the trendy occasion. By 2006, Eva Kruse—together with the Danish Trend Institute (DAFI)—reworked these gala’s right into a unified, worldwide trend week. Her imaginative and prescient: make Scandinavian design globally aggressive and present that “accountable manufacturing and groundbreaking creativity aren’t mutually unique.“
Kruse’s work with DAFI included launching the Copenhagen Trend Summit in 2009 alongside the UN Local weather Change Convention (COP15), establishing CFW as a worldwide chief in sustainable trend. Kruse’s advocacy for moral practices culminated in initiatives just like the Nordic Initiative, Clear and Moral (NICE), which promoted sustainable supplies and shopper schooling.
Kruse’s imaginative and prescient positioned CFW as a pioneer in eco-conscious practices, with obligatory sustainability requirements launched in 2020 (absolutely carried out by 2023) below her successor, Cecilie Thorsmark. Since taking up as CEO, Cecilie Thorsmark has elevated CPHFW’s international affect, forging partnerships with London’s British Trend Council and Amsterdam Trend Week to export its sustainability framework. Her 2024 replace to the Sustainability Motion Plan has additional tightened requirements, guaranteeing CPHFW stays a beacon of moral trend.
These requirements, requiring manufacturers to make use of at the least 60% licensed, recycled, or deadstock supplies and cling to round design rules, made CFW the primary trend week to implement such measures. This dedication has influenced international trend weeks and resonated with Gen Z’s demand for authenticity.
CIFF’s Function:
The Copenhagen Worldwide Trend Truthful (CIFF), operating alongside CPHFW, amplifies the week’s affect with 1,000 manufacturers throughout 20,000 sqm. This industrial hub attracts international patrons and press, making Copenhagen a key vacation spot for business networking and Nordic design discovery.
These strikes cemented CFW’s popularity as a frontrunner in sustainable trend, whereas mixing Danish values of modesty, collaboration, and accessibility.
Sustainability on the Core
CPHFW’s 2020 Sustainability Motion Plan has been a game-changer, setting 19 minimal requirements for all manufacturers to take part within the occasion. They’re supposed to drive environmental and social duty all through each model’s operations.
- No less than 60% of each assortment should use licensed, recycled, most well-liked, or deadstock supplies.
- Strict bans on virgin fur, wild animal skins, feathers, and destruction of unsold items or samples.
- Obligatory use of round design rules—clothes have to be repairable, recyclable, reusable, and embody recycled content material.
- No single-use plastics in packaging or showcase manufacturing; Obligatory digital invites for all friends and press to get rid of paper waste and decrease the occasion’s carbon footprint.
- All occasion and manufacturing waste have to be sorted as per Danish rules and repurposed when doable.
- Manufacturers should implement and publicly share a complete sustainability/ESG technique, reviewed by management.
- Equal-opportunity hiring and clear variety tips, particularly for administration roles, are required.
- Common workers sustainability coaching and clear communication of eco-practices to customers on at the least two public platforms.
- Moral provider code of conduct and compliance with worldwide labor requirements are obligatory.
- Protected, discrimination-free workplaces with criticism mechanisms and common audits.
- All props for exhibits have to be rented or reused, with plans for second-life utilization post-event.
- Emissions from showcases have to be tracked, decreased, and offset in partnership with CPHFW.
- Manufacturers should use eco-friendly, minimized packaging for each on-line and in-store gross sales.
- Product high quality and longevity have to be prioritized, with efforts to gather and act on buyer suggestions.
- Most well-liked supplies and restricted substances lists have to be maintained and enforced; EU REACH compliance required.
- Buying and manufacturing practices have to be designed to stop provider hurt or late funds.
- All taking part manufacturers should signal and uphold the Danish Trend Moral Constitution.
- Public schooling by means of workshops, take-back or restore schemes, and detailed product care data is required.
- Full accountability by means of annual reporting, coverage updates, and lively workers/board involvement in sustainability.
These rigorous insurance policies have impressed different trend weeks, together with London’s NEWGEN and applications in Berlin and Amsterdam.
Why CPHFW Kicks Off Trend Month
Set every August (Spring/Summer season) and January (Autumn/Winter), CPHFW launches international trend month, previous New York, London, Milan, and Paris. Its accessible location, concentrate on Nordic expertise, and community-driven environment distinction with the high-stakes environments of different cities. This lets CPHFW foster collaboration over elitism—a mirrored image of Danish tradition and the Regulation of Jante (the place humility, not hierarchy, guidelines).
Scandinavian Type Evolution
CFHFW is thought for its trademark “Copenhagen Look”—a mix of:
- Relaxed tailoring and practicality with a liberal dose of layering.
- Purposeful class and wearable artistic experimentation.
Main manufacturers like Ganni, Stine Goya, and Rotate Birger Christensen embody this fusion, providing all the things from Y2K influences to playful denim, floral minidresses, and upcycled partywear. Gen Z’s demand for authenticity and flexibility is obvious: right here, consolation and individuality are trendsetters.
“Consolation and design go hand in hand at CFW—you need to really feel empowered no matter what you select to put on.”
— Stine Goya
2025: What’s Occurring at CPHFW SS26
Dates & Venues
- This season’s CPHFW SS26 takes place from August 4 to August 8, 2025, bringing 45 manufacturers to town, from heritage names like Marimekko and Henrik Vibskov to rising expertise like IAMISIGO (winner of the Zalando Visionary Award 2025).
- Furthermore, the occasion showcases a broader Nordic presence, with Swedish manufacturers like Rave Evaluate and Filippa Ok, Norwegian label Holzweiler, and Icelandic outerwear model 66°North becoming a member of Danish stars.
- Key venues span from historic landmarks to trendy artistic hubs round Copenhagen, making a dynamic, city-wide celebration of trend and sustainability.
Don’t-Miss Exhibits & Designers
Sustainability champions with a playful Y2K edge. Attempt resale platforms like The Luxurious Closet for signature shearling coats and printed clothes.
- Stine Goya: Colour-forward minimalism, showcased at Aalborg’s Kunsten Museum.
- Cecilie Bahnsen, a Copenhagen native, returns from Paris Trend Week to have a good time her model’s tenth anniversary with a retrospective present, mixing archival items along with her signature ethereal designs.
- Rotate: On a regular basis boldness and party-ready items—search for denim robes and mini florals on eBay.
- A. Roege Hove: Experimental, no-waste knitwear, with Depop because the go-to for comparable types.
- Bonnetje (upcycling, ladies’s tailoring) and Berner Kühl (austere menswear) lead the up-and-coming designer record.
Standout Tendencies on the SS26 Runway
Picture supply: copenhagenfashionweek.[dot]com
- Pastel tailoring and “palette cleaning” neutrals
- See-through layering (mesh and sheer materials)
- Relaxed, elevated loungewear
- Nature-inspired motifs and earthy colours
- Purposeful class: Utility meets stylish minimalism
Copenhagen Road Type: The Runway Outside
On town’s streets, the CPHFW crowd mixes classic, thrifted items, and luxurious—outsized knits, leopard-print coats, and assertion boots are all over the place. Trendsetters layer Ganni beanies, Rotate fringed jackets, and thrifted denim.
Scandi Staples to Resell or Rewear:
How CPHFW is Main Trend Ahead
CPHFW’s sustainability necessities have change into the template for accountable trend worldwide. Each model is audited on sustainability, equity, and transparency. Exhibits are zero-waste, upcycled seems to be are celebrated, and types educate customers on garment care and rewear.
Berlin Trend Week is drawing inspiration from CPHFW’s sustainability requirements, alongside London’s NEWGEN and Amsterdam’s applications accelerating trend’s shift towards circularity and authenticity.
The CFW Impact: Why Trend’s Future is Nordic
From coverage to palette, CPHFW is setting the worldwide agenda. The business’s most fun traits—minimalist genderless tailoring, resale booms, and genuine communication—might be traced to Copenhagen’s forward-thinking tradition. With purposeful class and sustainability on the core, town proves you don’t have to sacrifice enjoyable or aptitude to do trend proper.
Subsequent month’s New York Trend Week will draw closely from Copenhagen’s accountable and joyful precedents. Already, patrons are stocking up on the Scandinavian gems that everybody needs subsequent season.
Bonus: Packing for Copenhagen Trend Week 2026
- Layers: Raincoats, boots, and outsized scarves for unpredictable climate.
- Operate > Fussy: Items you’ll be able to cycle in and put on all day.
- Mix all of it: Classic, trendy, and something that channels your distinctive Nordic aptitude.
Day 1 Highlights: August 4th, 2025
- Opening Ceremony & Reception: CPHFW launched with a trendy opening ceremony and an unique dinner in partnership with Bang & Olufsen, welcoming international trend leaders and creatives. The night marked the start of a daring, globally related trend week.
- Rising Designers & NEWTALENT: Ganni, by means of its continued mentorship, spotlighted rising Nordic abilities like Bonnetje, Berner Kühl, and Anne Sofie Madsen. These designers acquired runway publicity, artistic steerage, and monetary assist by means of the NEWTALENT initiative.
- Runway Highlights: The day opened with OpéraSport’s official SS26 debut, that includes gender-fluid silhouettes and eco-conscious materials. Freya Dalsjø’s return was a standout—her daring tailoring and considerate building captured the season’s high-concept spirit.
- Sustainability on Show: All taking part manufacturers met CPHFW’s Minimal Requirements, with collections rooted in accountable materials sourcing, upcycling, and moral manufacturing.
- Business Buzz: CIFF (Copenhagen Worldwide Trend Truthful) amplified the week’s momentum with 1,000 manufacturers unfold throughout 20,000 sqm, making a dynamic hub for patrons, editors, and influencers.
- Road Type Moments: On the sidewalks, Copenhagen’s signature trend identification got here alive—easy layering, vintage-luxury mixtures, daring equipment, and outsized silhouettes flooded social media feeds.
- Inclusive Trend Tradition: With livestreams, panel talks, and city-wide open occasions, Day 1 emphasised neighborhood engagement—making excessive trend extra democratic and globally accessible.
Total, Day 1 of CPHFW SS26 delivered on all fronts—sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity—providing a glimpse of the place trend is heading: collaborative, aware, and creatively fearless.
Day 2 Highlights: August fifth, 2025
- IAMISIGO’s Visionary Debut:
Winner of the Zalando Visionary Award, IAMISIGO, led by Bubu Ogisi, delivered a robust multisensory presentation rooted in African spiritualism and craftsmanship. Utilizing supplies like reclaimed textiles, tree bark, and hand-beaded particulars, the runway turned a ritualistic set up spotlighting dyeing and weaving methods from Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. - Artwork Meets Irony – Rat Clutches by Anne Sofie Madsen & Esben Weile Kjær:
https://www.vogue.com/article/why-have-rats-have-invaded-copenhagen-fashion-week
In one of many day’s most talked-about moments, the duo unveiled metallic rat-shaped clutch baggage, a tongue-in-cheek nod to subcultural insurrection. These sculptural items merged trend with artwork, reflecting Copenhagen’s avant-garde spirit and punk satire.
Runway Highlights & Immersive Exhibits:
The day was filled with standout shows:
- OpéraSPORT kicked off the formal SS26 schedule poolside, debuting resort-inspired gender-fluid silhouettes, outsized hibiscus prints, and 3D-printed flip-flops made in collaboration with Havaianas.
- Forza Collective leaned into sheer tailoring and summary necktie particulars, redefining trendy menswear.
- Caro Editions blended classic textures with silk bows and polka-dot motifs in a romantic but grounded assortment.
- Skall Studio impressed with understated neutrals and sustainable sneakers crafted from cactus and orange leather-based, reinforcing its dedication to minimalism and materials innovation.
Nordic Unity in Trend Design:
Manufacturers together with 66°North, Filippa Ok, Cmmn Swdn, and the Swedish Faculty of Textiles offered unified visions of Nordic aesthetics—characterised by craft-forward building, muted palettes, and eco-conscious practices.
Road Type Statements:
Copenhagen’s sidewalks turned levels for directional trend as soon as once more. Highlights included:
- Daring layering with combined textures
- Playful equipment like child carriers and quirky bag charms
- Patterns galore—polka dots, stripes, and distinction prints dominated
- Outerwear recreation robust with suede coats, outsized knits, and streetwear staples
Total Day 2 of CPHFW SS26 continued to affirm Copenhagen’s distinctive trend identification: a platform the place artwork meets activism, and the place sustainability, inclusivity, and cultural storytelling aren’t traits—they’re necessities.
How The Luxurious Closet Upholds Copenhagen Trend Week’s Sustainability Ethos
Like CPHFW, The Luxurious Closet is altering how trend lovers store—championing pre-owned luxurious and the round economic system. From Chanel to Hermès, each authenticated, pre-loved merchandise retains trend out of landfills and extends the lifetime of beloved items, letting fashion and sustainability go hand in hand.
Whether or not you’re giving a classic LV bag a brand new life, or discovering a designer costume from seasons previous, you’re not simply investing in fashion—you’re embracing a aware, trendy motion that values longevity over extra.
Store pre-owned Ganni on The Luxurious Closet and “be part of the round trend motion.” And for real-time updates, hold following our weblog—and stream the CPHFW runways dwell at copenhagenfashionweek[dot]com
Picture supply: copenhagenfashionweek[dot]com
Q1. What’s Copenhagen Trend Week?
A bi-annual international trend occasion in Denmark showcasing Nordic design, sustainable trend, and rising expertise.
Q2. When does Copenhagen Trend Week happen?
It takes place twice yearly—in January/February (Autumn/Winter collections) and August (Spring/Summer season collections).
Q3. Is Copenhagen Trend Week open to the general public?
Some occasions are open to the general public, together with pop-ups and installations, however most runway exhibits are invite-only. Many designers livestream their exhibits.
This autumn.What makes Copenhagen Trend Week distinctive?
It’s acknowledged because the world’s most sustainable trend week with obligatory sustainability requirements that every one taking part manufacturers should observe.
Q5. What are the primary sustainability initiatives at CPHFW?
They embody strict materials sourcing, round design rules, zero-waste present manufacturing, banning single-use plastics, and provide chain transparency.
Q6.Who’re some key designers to observe at Copenhagen Trend Week?
Notable designers embody Ganni, Stine Goya, Rotate Birger Christensen, Nicklas Skovgaard, and rising designers like Bonnetje.
Q7. How can I watch Copenhagen Trend Week exhibits if I can’t attend?
Many exhibits are livestreamed on-line by way of CPHFW’s official channels or designers’ social media.
Q8. What are the highest traits at Copenhagen Trend Week SS26?
Pastel tailoring, sheer layering, elevated loungewear, nature-inspired prints, and purposeful class.
Q9. How does Copenhagen Trend Week affect international trend?
CPHFW units traits and sustainability requirements that affect New York, Paris, Milan, and Amsterdam Trend Weeks.
Q10. What’s the costume code for attending Copenhagen Trend Week?
Consolation, layering, and a mix of classic with trendy items reflecting Scandinavian minimalism and private fashion.