Fashion Week can be Sustainable

August 31, 2022

*Sustainable Fashion Month*

Fashion Month is upon us, and to no one’s surprise my favorite of them all kicks it off – Copenhagen. Fashion enthusiast travel to Denmark’s capital for bright colors, fun prints and most importantly a peek at how fashion brands successfully approach sustainability.

At first glance Munthe stood out with its clean, crisp color palette of hues of blue, kelly green, mustard and rust. The collection spoke to my love for ease in dressing all while including key wardrobe staples that I gravitate towards. An all-inclusive band of models (representing all sizes and races) hit the runways adorned in oversized denim, jackets, flowy two-piece sets and hypebeast-esque sneakers. I am willing to guarantee this collection is a fan favorite because it’s one of my favs for sure.

As we all know, Copenhagen Fashion Week’s organizers are challenging participants to create action plans behind obtaining sustainability in the apparel and textile sector. The demand is for industry players to realize the negative impact of past practices, and to therefore, proactively change the way we co-exist in the fashion world. Climate change is taking a toll on our planet.

Munthe strives towards become a more sustainable brand by complying with the new set of standards by Copenhagen Fashion Week. The brand’s current collection is 64% “responsibly made” meaning more than 50% of the fabric composition is made from sustainable materials. Aside from conscious sourcing, Munthe has sustainability requirements integrated into its business strategy, CSR strategy, Code of Conduct, travel, packaging, and purchase policy. This brand ultimately hopes to become zero waste and attain carbon neutrality within in the next few years.

Copenhagen Fashion Week SS21

October 15, 2020

Designers from left to right: Rodebjer, Baum und Pferdgarten, Stine Goya, Henrik Vibskov, Baum und Pferdgarten, Ganni

Nobody does it quite like the Danes. The fashion scene in Copenhagen is the embodiment of MAXIMALISM…bold colors, quirky prints and patterns, lots of textures and unconventional silhouettes. It’s the opposite of monochrome, muted dark colors and neutrals you would associate with hygge or Scandi style and design. Despite its cultural and geographical proximity to the other Scandinavian countries, Copenhagen’s fashion aesthetic is a far cry from the simple and minimal styling approach of its counterparts.

Copenhagen Fashion Week offered a hybrid of a few live shows, fashion films and presentations. Some of our favorite designers provided live and pre-recorded content that managed to give the viewer a strong sensorial equivalent to viewing the collections in-person. I highlighted a few of my favorite brands and looks in the collage. These looks fully encapsulated the CFW SS21 shows.

And always as an added bonus with Copenhagen’s fashion brands, sustainability is at the forefront of its operations. Designers know that their buyers are conscious, sustainability-focused shoppers who would purchase a unique, sturdy vintage piece over fast fashion any day.

Copenhagen Fashion Week SS20 Wrap Up

August 23, 2019

If Henrik Vibskov isn’t a name that you’ve heard before, I would encourage you to research not only his designs but delve deep into everything that he has contributed to the Arts over the last couple of decades. This fashion collection is maybe his 30th, it’s inspiration is centered around wind and the many complexities of that particular element. With that theme at the helm of the collection it’s translated through light and breezy silhouettes and billowing aerodynamic spaces which are a vast contrast from the heavy knits and use of layering that’s displayed in previous collections.

By Marlene Birger

Known for their beautiful classics and timeless silhouettes, By Marlene Birger, always seems to deliver exactly what’s missing from your wardrobe. Although I am a minimalist at heart, I love a statement piece or dash of fun prints here and there. This collection is so very cool and relaxed. It’s a favorite so far this season. I also love the idea of luxe and casual dressing. Before now, I never thought to pair a basket weaved baseball hat with a sequin dress or anything for that matter, but now I am experiencing an extreme case of fomo.

Cecilie Bahnsen’s entire brand is one big Spring/Summer collection rolled up into one…at least in my opinion. Actually that’s not a bad thing. The old saying is “if something isn’t broke, don’t fix it”. And besides, It’s good to have brand identity, right? Cecilie produces some of the most beautiful and dream-like dresses imaginable, each with amazing details which are nothing short of couture. I also appreciated the new elements introduced in this collection. Who doesn’t love tailored suiting, feathers, and volumious silk organza; oh yes, and we got sprinkles of yellow and pink on the runway as well this season. I would say this collections was a 10/10. It checked all of my boxes for sure.

We all know the Ganni girl, she’s internationally recognized now thanks to the creative directors of this beloved Danish brand. This collection fully encapsulates the Ganni girl, and she is just as cool as she’s always been, but now a bit more refined…grown up. We see loads of texture and print mixing, splashes of pastels, major inspo from the 70s, as well as nods to the super cool and relaxed 90s. I would go as far as calling the collections dreamy and super girly with a bit of edge. And of course we love the sustainability elements of the collections. Designers re-visted their archives and pulled pieces to re-work, as a way of making the old, new again. I also read that the brand implemented physical and digital pop-up kiosks during fashion week in an effect to make the collections readily accessible to customers for purchase.

If you could imagine an intersection of sophistication and playfulness, then Baum und Pferdgarten is the place. Honestly, I have never seen such a juxtaposition of ideas that were so cohesive at the same time. After scouring photos of the collection I felt a sense of delight, optimism even. To see tulle tops and dresses layered over tailored suiting and clean lines, topped off with a pastel tulle buckle hat is quite a lot to digest; however, it couldn’t be more satisfying. I loved every piece shown in this collection. It was actually quite difficult to select my favorites for my collage. Kudos to the designers for evoking such excitement for their customers with truly unique pieces and styling. The collection is perfectly simply, yet very complex all at the same time. Maybe I should consider sporting a pair of printed biker shorts with dad sneakers, and a beautifully structured tailored suit vest.

Rodebjer is yet another designer that I hadn’t had the privilege of ever viewing a collection from. However, I was absolutely impressed by the level of craftmanship that went into each design. Initially, I am drawn to the neutral color palette, then there’s the layering of separates. There is also a great sense of comfortability present in each look. How the dresses seem to lay effortlessly on the body, and the flowiness of the trousers and blouses are so very flattering on all body types. The collection is for the woman looking to tap into her feminine energy.

Inspired by Mexican-American singer, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, this Saks Potts collection is titled “Latina Gala.” Ruffled crop tops, bedazzled bralettes and colorful cowboy boots were sheer giveaways. Seeing photos of the details on the accessories that models donned as they paraded down the runway caused me to really reminisce of the 90s. Aesthetically every look was lighthearted and playful, evoking great nostalgia. Although I can’t say that this brand has stood out to me in the past; looks from this season’s show were all over Instagram. The right people were in attendance at this show, creating mega buzz for this collection.

Stine Goya does a wonderful job of story-telling. Each one of kind design is jam-packed with visual simulation and underlying interpretation. This season the runway looks were amazing; however, the important work happened beyond the clothing on the runway. Goya didn’t call up an agency and cast typical models that usually take the runways during fashion week. She brought her inspiration of LGBTQ ballroom culture from the 80s to life by demanding inclusivity on the runway. Both men and women, in all shapes, sizes and races sashayed down the runway donning large graphic polka dots, bows, ruffles and bright floral prints.