In 2006, Danish magazine editor Eva Kruse had a vision: to put Copenhagen on the map as the world’s fifth fashion capital. 20 years on, and with the help of current CEO Cecilie Thorsmark, COO Isabella Rose Davey, and designers such as OpéraSPORT, Cecilie Bahnsen, Ganni, Stine Goya, Rotate and Baum und Pferdgarten, Kruse’s vision has become reality. 

After New York, London, Milan and Paris, Copenhagen is the fifth fashion capital – but it took two decades and a whole lot of blood, sweat and tears for the title to stick. Last week, to celebrate Copenhagen Fashion Week’s 20th anniversary, the Danish capital curated one of its biggest seasons to date, with celebrations planned to continue throughout the year. As well as brand activations, pop-ups and lookbooks from the likes of 66 North, Tekla and Samsøe Samsøe, the shows and presentations took place across three days, in every corner of the city. Luckily, for anyone needing to catch up on the action, below, we round up the very best of what went down in Denmark. 

SSON

Swedish brand SSON may be only two years old, but it’s already making waves across the North Sea. Founded in 2024 by business partners Yulia Kjellsson and Ellinor Håkansson, the label presented its latest collection this season in a sparse exhibition space in the north of the city. Entering the room, guests were greeted by a towering pile of clothes—the kind of accidental structure created during a wardrobe crisis on the way out the door. Models were scattered around the space, leaning against walls and each other, showcasing the pieces that hadn’t been flung onto the heap. The collection and accompanying lookbook carried the attitude of a stroppy schoolgirl, ready to stomp her way to end-of-year prom in sky-high boots and a polka-dot mini dress.

ANNE SOFIE MADSEN

Anne Sofie Madsen is one of the key designers who played a vital role in shaping Copenhagen’s identity, and today, she is one of the most highly anticipated shows on the schedule. For AW26, the Galliano-trained designer enlisted local Danish band Wedding to provide the live soundtrack, while models swooshed down the runway. Titled Ghostly Matters, the collection was inspired by ideas of a lost future – being haunted by futures we were promised that are no longer attainable. As well as Grecian-style dresses, parka jackets and Pandora jewellery, we also got a glimpse of a brand new collaboration with UGG. 

HENRIK VIBSKOV

Forget 2026 being the year of the horse, Henrik Vibskov’s AW26 show was all about the frog. For his 25th anniversary show, the Danish designer took over Copenhagen’s Østre Gasværk Theatre with a collection titled Frog Carry Frog. Abstract as ever, the show began with the curtain being raised to reveal a lineup of models, all carrying huge wooden ladders as backpacks. Some stood, some sat, and some balanced on top of orange building blocks. More models then appeared (including Stranger Things star Linnea Berthelsen, who opened the show), wearing amphibious-inspired prints and textures. They weaved in and out of the towering ladders, and occasionally stopped to balance a building block between the rungs. Vibskov is known for his theatrics, and his 25th anniversary was always going to be one to remember. 

RAVE REVIEW 

On the third day of Copenhagen Fashion Week, guests visited three countries in one day (sort of). While Paolina Russo’s show took us to the French embassy, Rave Review took us to the Swedish embassy. Founded in 2018 by Josephine Bergqvist and Livia Schück, the brand’s AW26 show lived up to its name, quickly becoming one of the most raved about collections of the season. While staying true to the brand ethos of high-end upcycling, the collection was titled Child Play and had a youthful energy – exaggerated by baby pinks, floral prints and oversized Peter Pan collars. 

NIKLAS SKOVGAARD 

Entering Niklas Skovagaard’s AW26 show space, guests were shocked to discover the lack of seats. Instead, our bodies formed the shape of the runway. Staff placed attendees one by one on a chalk line that had been drawn on the ground, creating a winding path that models could walk through (points for creativity, even if our feet were aching by the end). The self-taught Danish designer is known for the unknown; you never know exactly what to expect from his shows. As for clothes themselves, bold block colours and 50s silhouettes stood apart from the crowded runway space, as did the shoes – a new collaboration with HOFF. 

SKALL STUDIO 

On the final evening of Copenhagen Fashion Week, Skall Studio led us up eight flights of stairs and soothed us with a candlelit lullaby (literally). The show took place on the top floor of an apartment block which had been flooded with candlelight and white tuberoses. The collection paid tribute to Danish author Karen Blixen and her enduring relationship with flowers, explaining the floral arrangements and hyacinth bulbs left on each chair. Before the show started, Nepalese folk musician Varsha Thapa took a seat in the centre of the room, before serenading us with her dulcet tones. The collection featured a rich, earthy colour palette, plaid coats and bonnets – striking the perfect balance between chic and appropriate for a spot of gardening.