Copenhagen has become one of fashion’s most exciting darlings. From the city’s focus on sustainability, size inclusion, and unconventional beauty — and not to mention its jaw-dropping streetwear parades that line its cobblestone streets — Copenhagen Fashion Week is where the status quo-defying fashion thrives. Whether it’s their penchant for supporting emerging brands, sustainability initiatives, brightening up the monotony of dull color stories, or ensuring a diverse range of body sizes receives attention, this Nordic inspiration-inducing hotspot deserves to be in the conversation.
Take Copenhagen Fashion Week’s NEWTALENT program, which nurtures and promotes emerging Nordic fashion designers globally, or the One To Watch award, highlighting visionaries on the brink of stardom. What struck me most this season was the city’s selection of Kettel Atelier and GESTUZ for new talents, and how it showcases the fashion week committee’s understanding of some of this city’s strongest contenders who could blossom into much more. And then there’s Taus receiving a One to Watch award from the organization, which was clever, considering the label creates impeccable ready-to-wear and demi-couture-minded options. These are just two ways Copenhagen Fashion Week strives to support budding talent, and the city’s actions speak powerfully about how crucial inclusivity is.
Among the most underrated shows of the season, Munthe and Bonnetje showcased a multitude of plus-size garments that will slide chicly and easily into any wardrobe, while instantly confirming what we all knew: size inclusion is a choice larger, established brands could implement if they deemed it essential.
But to pivot to another point, is it just me, or does it feel like street style is becoming so contrived? Copenhagen’s sidewalks offer lessons in electric color mixing, polka dot mania, silhouette diversion, and more. It’s a beacon of hope for dreamers who want to bring the fun — and, well, intrigue — back into the industry.
Jumping to the south, Atlanta often gets left out of fashion conversations, yet its southern twang brims with the same passion and yearning for originality as Copenhagen. Whether it’s our penchant for edgy streetwear or club couture, which often inspires music videos and the streets alike, Atlanta mirrors Copenhagen’s instinct for inclusivity while maintaining its own unique aesthetic. There’s a throughline for the cities, yearning and thriving on creative, underground energy.
Given that I love Copenhagen so much and frequently reference Nordic brands in real life, it would be interesting to select the five best shows at Copenhagen Fashion Week for the SS26 season. These brands exemplify what it means to have an outstanding taste level and are exemplary in satisfying our craving for beauty.
“Each collection is just a new chapter in the same universe,” said Han Kjøbenhavn Creative Director Jannik Wikkelsø Davidsen. “It’s another version of the same story, just told from a slightly different time in my life. The foundation is always my upbringing, where I’m from, and who I am. For me, it’s about creating something that feels culturally honest and personally relevant.”
Han Kjøbenhavn’s SS26 collection demonstrates why world-building is essential in fashion. The designs tread the line between exaggeration and tension: an oversized, padded faux-leather bomber serves as suburban armor; mesh tracksuits cradle the body like something athletic yet ceremonial; and a leather tank is layered under a molded vest that merges protection with performance.
In my opinion, the leather tank layered under a molded vest merges protection with performance and is easily one of the most “no-brainer” pieces of the collection.
Some of my favorite looks include a billowing white, floor-length dress adorned with oversized strings and puffed shoulders for an extraterrestrial look, a feather-covered bodysuit with strong shoulders that looks like it’s ready to take flight, and a sleek leather bomber jacket that’s versatile and easy to wear.
Han Kjøbenhavn is for the fearless, and will push you outside your comfort zone in the most beautiful way possible.
The design methodology behind Rolf Ekroth’s SS26 collection? A survival strategy set against the backdrop of global uncertainty and personal breakthrough. Hand-sewn pearl garments, laser-cut breathing holes, and reimagined rescue vests embody a philosophy of continuous improvement through rigorous self-assessment.
A standout in the lineup would be a black and white quilted jacket cinched with a brown leather belt, paired with gray pleated shorts, and a mesh-like tank and Pumas — eccentric yet proportionate. A plaid jacket, accented by buttoned pockets in a contrasting, size-alternating plaid print, paired with a midi skirt in the same print as the pockets, created a fun, gender-challenging look. (The spike-pinned baseball cap is just the cherry on the top.)
For the maximalist, Rolf Ekroth delivers a utilitarian-adjacent playground of pieces to remix at will.
Drawing from the city of Seoul’s rich contrasts, serene traditions, and bold urbanity, the SS26 collection from OperaSport is a celebration of cultural harmony and soft modernity. With a soft color palette featuring tones such as sage, butter yellow, soft blue, pink, crisp white, and a signature pastel green, the collection offers numerous color pops and versatility.
Hero pieces include sculptural dresses, sheer 3D lace flower styles, tailored sets with architectural lines, and a standout vegan leather jacket embroidered with hibiscus flowers.
Particularly, what caught my eye was a trenchcoat adorned with 3D hibiscus flowers, floral embroidery, and an all-over hibiscus print, tying together the season’s key motifs with bold softness. Furthermore, the boxy blazers and equally roomy shorts feel minimalist and polished. The matching sets are seamless and elegant.
At the heart of SS26 lies a deep appreciation for the balance between softness and strength, tradition and innovation.
Rooted in bohemian sensibility and upcycled craftsmanship, Kettel Atelier’s latest collection challenges conventional fashion formats. As part of the two-hour experience, guests witnessed the paintings and artistic performances woven into the showcase, offering a glimpse into the raw process of creation that fuels the brand.
From deconstructed silhouettes to lace textiles and layered vintage materials, the designs are a mix of one-of-a-kind showpieces and vintage-inspired designs, telling emotional stories. Among the pieces that made a strong statement were intricately cut lace maxi dresses with contrasting, eye-catching cutouts, as well as sheer maxi dresses, which accent the body beautifully.
Eco-friendly and edgy — two words I would use to describe Ketttel’s SS26 offering.
For SS26, the Anne Sofie Madsen focused on transforming classic silhouettes and reinventing them, exploring the tension between masculinity and femininity, softness and strength, and adornment and utility for a collection that dismantles antiquated, taut barriers imposed by society. Featured were sportswear staples crafted from silk, as well as blazers with hoodies attached, and tank tops transformed into dresses and abstract cut options, adding a playful twist to unisex classics.
An edgy leather mini dress, complete with a motorcycle jacket-inspired bodice and a slouchy, poofy bubble skirt (incorporating a silver zipper underneath, reminiscent of a coin pouch), materialized. While I’m a fan of the feather-adorned, spaghetti-strap mini dress, I also gravitate towards reenvisioning stiff office separates and transforming them into a belt-embellished trouser-turned-chaps situation.
This collection stands out for its bravery and prowess, qualities that grew stronger with each ensemble.
Mixing and patterns can be daunting for many brands, but Caro Editions does it with an ’80s je ne sais quoi that’s timely and resonates. Inspired by the founders’, Caroline and Frederik Bille Brahe’s, wedding under the Knippelsbro bridge and aptly titled “Under the Bridge,” the SS26 collection channels memory, intimacy, and the beauty of everyday life in Copenhagen — overlaid with soft resistance, visibility, and emotional symbolism.
With silhouettes like polka dot-printed blouses with puff sleeves, primed midi dress in ’50s-esque flavors, and maxi dresses in a jewel-toned, plaid-print with contrast buttons all the way down, the collection is for those who love bold color combinations and being daring with prints. Caro Editions tapped Mulberry for a handbag collaboration for the show, adding the perfect finishing touches.
The collection explores, as founder and creative director Caroline Bille Brahe puts it, “is inspired by vintage silks, classic polka dots, and checks…I was very inspired by the ‘Under the Bridge’ theme, thinking about wedding guests of all ages, sizes, and personal styles. That ethos — rich silks cut into almost workwear shapes, both comfortable and glamorous, grounds Caro Editions’ playful clash of color and print.
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