Copenhagen Fashion Week Highlights Day 2

Reporting by Lotus Ladegaard


The advantage of a digital runway is you actually have time for all of them and then some. While CphFW schedule ran, off-schedule some of Denmark’s Darlings showcased their collections on other digital platforms.

Day 2 began on IGTV, where Bitte Kai Rand showed her AW21 collection, which was also her 40th anniversary. Back in 1981, she started putting her on twist on knitted clothes and has since sprung to be one of the leading fashion houses of Denmark. At the core of the brand’s DNA is the graphical forms, contrasts as well as effortless and timeless designs done with great craftsmanship.

Bitte Kai Rand’s AW21 collection was everything its loyal following loves the brand for. The show kicked off with a few ivory looks that felt fresh and hip, followed by more earthy tones like the outstanding green, yellow strategically striped blouse and pant set. As usual, many pieces stood out and had tons of editorial appeal. Bitte Kai Rand was for sure one of the best shows of Day 2.

Following the detour from IGTV, it was back on schedule with By Malene Birger who usually never fails to impress her loyal following. In prior recent years, the brand had sought out unconventional runway locations for its shows, however, this year it opted for a more traditional digital showcase. The designs were everything, we have come to expect from Malene Birger; timeless, classic, and for every occasion. The collection was a tad dull and somewhat safe, however, you cannot fault the Nordic brand for craftmanship or tailoring.


Designer Naja Munthe and her eponymous brand Munthe has always aimed to dress Scandinavian women from daytime to the festive night times with her very own take on athleisure. The AW21 collection titled Ceramic Art was almost like a homage to Naja’s own past with ceramics. Spending time in lock-down gave way for new, or in this case, old hobbies that in turn inspired the start of her AW21 collection. She brought pots and vases to her design team and from there reworked it into prints.

True to her vision of sustainability, the show was shot at Munthe’s own warehouse and done very traditionally. The option also meant she opted out of creating a big scenography or big decorations that would later just be torn down and thrown away. The AW21 collection was intriguing and fresh with plenty of both editorial and commercial appeal. Several pieces stood out like the blue wide strapped dress and the mixed prints coat styled with an oversized blazer and sleek pants.

Last on the agenda was Wood Wood who opted for a cinematic take on its AW21 collection show, titled “Rendezvous”. The plot follows a few characters as they seek to connect with each other through subconscious movements. The film was interesting and had a really good flow and gave the collection the appeal, it lacked. Naturally, fashion films work well on a digital platform and can transform most collections into intriguing art.

Day of the Copenhagen Fashion Week AW21 had its highs and lows, but collectively all brands have stepped up their digital game.

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Copenhagen Fashion Week AW 21 Highlights

Reporting by Lotus Ladegaard

CPHFW AW21 still commenced in a digital version despite the lockdown. Prior seasons were a mix of physical events and digital shows, but this season the entire fashion week including the fairs will be held digitally. While it may sound dull on paper; digital fashion week, every brand seems to have stepped up their game and create interesting and intriguing shows in this new format. 

Day 1 kicked off with Schnayderman’s, who had taken advantage of the new platform and created an intriguing cinematic showcase of its AW21 collection. Schnayderman’s who started as a shirt label back in 2012 has an easy-to-wear kind of aesthetics that translate well into contemporary men’s wear. While the label is not exactly fashion-forward, they certainly know how to put on a digital show. 

Day Birger et Mikkelsen had also embraced the digital form and showcased its AW21 collection in everyday scenes that felt very natural for the clothes. Day Birger et Mikkelsen has been a staple on CPHFW for many years with classic silhouettes and cuts.

NYNNE chose to showcase its collection more traditionally on a runway, however, with a focus on nine different women of all ages, she admires. Titled “Women for Women” NYNNE’s AW21 collection looked to empower women at different stages of their lives. Her signature overexaggerated silhouettes were less exaggerated than usual, but the collection did not lack any of her craftmanship, in fact, several pieces stood out and would also make for awesome showstoppers on the runway. 

Malaikaraiss had also opted for a different kind of showcase for its jewelry with upbeat music and lively video with both moving images of models as well as graphics drawn on the screen. The Berlin-based brand produces all its jewelry within Europe and draws on inspiration from movies, music, and art. The AW21 collection featured many pieces that have a wide appeal and will undoubtedly do well.

Soeren Le Schmidt is undoubtedly one of the crowd favorites during CPHFW, and definitely the highlight of Day 1. The relatively new brand has firmly cemented itself onto the Danish fashion scene in just a few years. Soeren Schmidt is, however, not new to the Danish fashion scene, he knows it inside out and he knows exactly how to play it. Prior to the show, the brand had created a great hype, and its AW21 collection “The Boiling Frog” was the talk of the SoMe on CPHFW Day 1. 

Soeren Le Schmidt had opted for a cinematic approach to his show paying tribute to diversity, loneliness, love, and feelings, we all know and have. Shot at locations that have a special meaning to the designer, we move around in Copenhagen experiencing the beautiful capital. Much emphasis has been put on the aesthetics which works well as the film draws you in. This season, Soeren Le Schmidt, has an almost entirely black collection with splashes of Yves Klein Blue and Hot Orange that undoubtedly excite his loyal following as well as fashion editors alike.