Five Standout Labels From Copenhagen Fashion Week
Fresh from the Danish capital.
Last week, fashion’s finest took to the capital of Denmark to take part in the Nordic Region’s largest fashion event – Copenhagen Fashion Week. For quite some time Copenhagen has served as the fashion capital of Scandinavia with its bridging location and celebrated design history. Alongside the trade fairs, Copenhagen International Fashion Fair Raven and Revolver saw a bevy of new and established labels take to the metropolitan harbor city to display their latest offerings. The runway at the six-day exhibition was graced by unique showings of Scandinavian and international fashion, which married fresh silhouettes, progressive fabrics and bold color, palettes. But among the pack, several labels stood out, confidently carving their place among fashion’s competitive landscape. Below, we look to highlight the standout labels from Copenhagen Fashion Week 2018 spring/summer you should keep an eye on.
HÆRVÆRK
About the Designer
Although Niels Guntoft Hansen grew up dreaming of becoming a musician, the Denmark-born designer has become a name to look out for after unintentionally making the leap into fashion. The MA Menswear graduate initially went to study at the Royal College of Art in an attempt to prove to his mother that he was not going to waste his life away. But during his first year at RCA, the designer was given a project to discover something authentic about himself, leading to the conception of his label HÆRVÆRK. Upon graduation, Hansen won the OTB award at the International Talent Support competition in Trieste, Italy, which set his current path as an emerging European designer.
Latest Collection
Continuing the expression of eccentric streetwear, HÆRVÆRK fittingly displayed its latest garment offerings under a graffiti-laden train overpass. The main inspiration of the collection comes from the color tones and uniforms found at the Danish seafront where head designer Niels Guntoft Hansen spent his youth. A defiant street edge was featured throughout the 2018 spring/summer collection comprised of exaggerated and progressive silhouettes. Additionally, the strategically lit location served to highlight the heavily printed and textural elements found in the seasonal range.
Instagram: @haervaerk_cult
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Newline HALO
About the Designer
HALO or “High Altitude, Low Opening” is the fashion-focused diffusion label of storied Danish sportswear company, Newline. Following its creation of the first, functional running suit made out of parachute material, Newline has been at the forefront of sports technology and fabric experimentation. But in 2015, the sportswear company linked up with Storm Copenhagen founder Rasmus Storm and model/sportswear aficionado Malkit Singh in an unexpected fashion-forward move. Utilizing their collective expertize, Storm and Singh have created consistent reinterpretations of Newline’s garment technology.
Latest Collection
With an emphasis on functionality, comfort and the innovative use of materials, HALO’s “Boot Camp” collection is built around the discipline and precision of hard, physical exercise. Comprised of tracksuits, jackets, anoraks, T-shirts, shorts and pants constructed of merino, polyester, cotton and nylon, the training gear range was created to assist in the repetition of action. The color palette of the collection references bold and subtle tones of helicopter hangars and landings. Additionally, paying tribute to the Aalborg Tactical Wing parachute unit that the founder of Newline used to create the brand, the 2017 spring/summer collection features the same markings found on the parachute.
Instagram: @newline.halo
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Verena Schepperheyn
About the Designer
Upon graduating from ArtEZ in Arnhem, Netherlands with an MA in Menswear, Verena Schepperheyn launched her eponymous label in Berlin. And ever since, the young designer has been lauded for her expert utilization of embroidery, print and textile manipulation. Yet striking silhouettes consistently remain at the core of Schepperheyn’s design language. Additionally, in recent years, Schepperheyn has received the Premium Young Designers Award 2016 for the best Menswear Label and has been nominated for the German Design Award 2016 and the WGSN Future Award 2016 in the emerging brand category.
Latest Collection
Verena Schepperheyn’s latest collection utilizes the power of text in its reinterpretation of menswear classics. Injecting opposing streetwear influences with traditional tailoring techniques, the latest seasonal range offers a fusion of classical, as well as contemporary masculine ideals. The laid back silhouettes serve as a canvas for the enigmatic text that provides the main design element throughout the lineup, while an assortment of textiles creates a unique layer of contrast.
Instagram: @verenaschepperheyn
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Han Kjøbenhavn
About the Designer
In 2008, lifelong friends Jannik Wikkelsø Davidsen and Tim Faith Hancock founded their eyewear label, Han Kjøbenhavn. Embracing the unique fundamentals of Danish design and their industry experience, their eyewear offerings soon gained international attention. And over time the two decided to take their designs one step further founding a clothing division of Han Kjøbenhavn. Inspired by the full spectrum of Danish culture and fashion, Davidsen and Hancock have become know for their garments that express the balance of the Nordic aesthetic.
Latest Collection
Aggressive boxy cuts dominated Han Kjøbenhavn’s 2017 spring/summer collection which was exhibited in corridor framed by square cut structures. The latest collection from the Copenhagen-based label rejected the relaxed cut trend seen as of late, opting for sculptural utilitarian looks that reinvent the human silhouette. Utilizing velour and dull toned cotton throughout the collection, a striking balancing between bold and subdued was displayed up and down the runway. With a reference to military spec bags, holstered carrying options were used to accent the outlandish garments found in the range.
Instagram: @hankjobenhavn
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Uniforms for the Dedicated
About the Designer
Although Uniforms for the Dedicated was created by a collective of snowboarders and various creative minds back in 2008, Lars Hedberg and chief designer Rasmus Wingårdh have served as the major figures of the Swedish label. With their collective devotion to making contemporary elegant garments, the duo marries classic tailoring with functional influence from sportswear to create timeless collections comprised updated silhouettes. Additionally, Hedberg and Wingårdh ensure the sustainable quality of UFTD, adamantly sourcing organic, bio-based, or recycled fibers which push the boundaries of Earth-friendly garment production.
Latest Collection
Uniforms for the Dedicated’s “Safari Vice” line modernizes the concept of the jungle explorer with its expression of elegance and adventure. Referencing Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and The Lost Boys, the collection offers an assortment of bold color blocked menswear essentials. Some standout pieces include a navy wool jacquard safari jacket, quirky printed short sleeve shirts and two-tone cropped trousers. Moreover, the collection features a range of exploration-focused, handmade eyewear from Italy.
Instagram: @uniformsforthededicated
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