These 5 Danish Brands Are Making Copenhagen the Coolest Fashion Capital

Over the last few years, Copenhagen has become an international juggernaut on the high-fashion stage. From a fresh crop of exhilarating, homegrown designers to a slew of trendy Scandinavian aesthetics that have taken the internet by storm, the Danish capital (and, by extension, the fashion industry within it) has emerged as a key power player in redefining and reimagining luxury.

If you ask any fashion editor you know, chances are they'll admit they're most excited to see what rolls around when Copenhagen Fashion Week hits. While social media is fixated on jaw-dropping, unique street style and delicious runway trends, real insiders know that the magic happens way before models step out onto the runway. The retailers, buyers, and press gathering in the city might go to shows, sure, but one of the most important stops during the week is the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair.

Colloquially known in the industry as CIFF, this year marked a newfound energy in what buyers and brand representatives I spoke to called a "corporate trade show, but for cool people." Hailed as one of Europe's most important trade shows, over 1000 brands from across the world were on display during the 63rd edition of CIFF. From exciting, emerging brands like International Citizen as part of CIFF's NeuDeustch brand initiative curated by Julian Daynov to massive, beloved TikTok darlings like Sui Ava and Pico Store, there's something for everyone to explore.

There's a Scandi heart and soul behind nearly every brand showcasing at the convention, Sofie Dolva, director of CIFF, told Who What Wear. At the center is collaboration, an integral element to the way Copenhagen has been able to grow and build as an emerging fashion capital and industry hub. "For me, the core of our DNA is collaboration," Dolva explained. "We try to push it in every aspect, as it is the only way forward. Creative thinking is the soul of the industry, and without it, we lose the magic of the fashion industry."

Tucked away in the Bella Center, poring over line sheets and computers, creative directors, press agents, and multimillion-dollar retailers all discussed the true questions: What are people buying? What do people want to see? According to Dolva, there's a reason Danish brands have become the ones to watch in the last few years: They reflect the relaxed, collaborative, thoughtful ways brands at CIFF operate. "The styles are made to be worn on a daily basis where you can at the same time feel stylish and comfortable," Dolva said. "What I admire the most is the responsibility of all our new design talents. They are educated with sustainability at their heart and want to combine inspiration, design, and responsibility in an effortless way."

Below, browse our five favorite brands on display during CIFF and Copenhagen Fashion Week for the spring/summer 2025 season.

Herskind

Herskind was founded in 2017 by Birgitte Herskind and is all about beauty, simplicity, and functionality. With a focus on the female form, immaculate tailoring, and romantic elements, this brand was one of the labels I was most looking forward to when I went to Copenhagen. After a stunning spring/summer 2025 runway collection filled with delicate draped capes and deliciously oversize jackets, I was instantly sold. When visiting Herskind's Copenhagen HQ for an intimate resee following the show, I realized how thoughtfully crafted and curated this season's collection was. Like most impressive Danish design labels, Herskind's ethos is all about redefining what the modern woman looks like in sartorial ways that appeal to her: flowy slip dresses, menswear-inspired vests, and of-the-moment capris are all on the table.

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Mark Kenly Domino Tan

Mark Kenly Domino Tan, also known as MKDT Studio, launched in 2014 and is a minimalist's dream. Crisp construction, toned-down luxury basics, and quality craftsmanship lie at the center of the brand. While the founder of the self-titled label may have worked stints at Dior, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen, like most Danish designers, he's found himself centering Scandi design and ethos in his work, choosing to show in Copenhagen both on the runway calendar and at CIFF. As a result, we're treated to a feast for the eyes every February and August. This season, flirty, cool linen silhouettes dominated, featuring subtle floral details and textured garments evocative of a summer in the Danish countryside.

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Gestuz

When you imagine Danish designers, you likely instantly think of Gestuz and the risqué, cool-girl image the brand has perfected since 2008. Led by founder Sanne Sehested, Gestuz is an edgy, modern approach to luxury dressing. As one of the major vendors during CIFF, the brand pulled out all the stops both on-site at the Bella Center and Moltke's Mansion, a decadent, baroque-style private residence. Sequins, sheer blouses, and tonal motocross cropped jackets were all on display as an ode to the rock-and-roll women the brand considers eternal muses. While the brand (one of the favorites of our associate director of fashion news, Erin Fitzpatrick) has been around for quite some time, nothing is as quintessentially Copenhagen as the world Gestuz has built.

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Lovechild 1979

Founded by Anne-Dorthe Larsen in 2009, this Copenhagen-based label is a simple, genderless take on fusion dressing. It mixes traditional masculine and feminine elements for an elevated, fresh blend of contemporary dressing. Much like the name suggests, Lovechild 1979 feels both nostalgic and romantic, leading Larsen's all-female design team to create timeless jackets, knits, and pants that feel like they'll grow and evolve with you. The label's spring/summer 2025 show, set in a lush, green park, was incredibly minimalist and sculptural, featuring neutral colors and raw fabrics, with models from different backgrounds and body types all proving the brand's ethos to be true: Anyone, regardless of gender, size, or sartorial expression, can find something for themselves.

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Munthe

As one of the oldest heritage brands on this list, Munthe's lofty reputation is completely warranted. The romantic, fairytale-esque label has garnered a cult of personality since starting in 1994, with the brand's signature lacy elements, floral dresses, and flowy, feminine silhouettes becoming wardrobe staples for both Danish women and those in Scandinavia at large. Munthe, another show to be cohosted with CIFF this year, along with Herskind, acts as one of Copenhagen's fashion giants, pushing sustainability and thoughtful craftsmanship to the center stage.

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This story was previously published and has since been updated.