Trends You See First in Copenhagen

Copenhagen Fashion Week is the largest fashion week in the Nordics, held every year in January–February and August. In 2026, it marks its 20th anniversary, and for the SS27 season, a total of 34 shows and presentations made the official schedule.

It's smaller in scale than New York, London, Milan, and Paris, but it has a distinct presence when it comes to styling that's close to real life, a balance of function and individuality, and discovering emerging brands. It's often described as Nordic minimalism, but in reality, many brands freely mix color and print, sport and tailoring.

Why Look at Copenhagen First, Right Now

Reading Season Trends One Step Ahead
Held in the first week of August, Copenhagen Fashion Week shows the next season's silhouettes, colors, and material directions about a month ahead of New York, London, Milan, and Paris, which follow from September. Elements spotted in Copenhagen don't always repeat exactly at the Big Four fashion weeks, but they can serve as a reference point for glimpsing the next season's direction one step early.

Sustainability Is a "Must," Not an "Option"
To make the official schedule, brands must meet 19 minimum requirements (including at least 50% sustainable or recycled materials, no destruction of unsold stock, and zero-waste sets). These 19 rules have become a new "quality standard" for global retail, so much so that the British Fashion Council (BFC) recently adopted them as part of London Fashion Week's regulations.

A Fashion Week Where Commerce and Design Come Together
In Copenhagen, you can look not only at the buzz of the runway but also at the wearability, materials, price points, and styling versatility that make clothes actually sellable. Connect it with CIFF and Revolver, and it's especially useful for comparing the gap between a collection's image and the actual wholesale product.

6 Brands to Watch at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Brands with an Established Customer Base and Recognition

By Malene Birger
A brand that pairs Scandinavian minimalism with beautiful silhouettes. Using restrained colors and soft draping, it naturally bridges the line between everyday wear and formalwear.

Stine Goya
A brand that shows another side of Nordic fashion through vivid colors, graphic prints, and an artistic mood.

Mfpen
A Copenhagen brand that reinterprets classic European tailoring through relaxed silhouettes. Focusing on precise fit and material texture rather than logos, it proposes modern menswear and genderless style.

Brands Newly Joining the Official Schedule

Almada Label
A high-end brand founded in Helsinki in 2020, focusing on minimal, largely seasonless designs and premium materials. SS27 is the first season the brand has appeared on the official CPHFW schedule.

Institution
Winner of the Zalando Visionary Award 2026 and an LVMH Prize finalist. For the SS27 season, it presents its collection in Copenhagen with the support that comes with the award.

Studio Constance
A Swedish brand selected for CPHFW NEWTALENT for the first time. Founder Rebecka Dovenryd Almberg built her career at Proenza Schouler, Toteme, Acne Studios, and more.

Buying Insights

Get Ahead on the Timeline Right After a Runway Debut
Brands joining the official schedule for the first time, like Almada Label, are likely to draw attention from international media and buyers after their shows. Rather than placing a large order right away, it's more realistic to first check line sheets, wholesale prices, minimum order quantities, delivery schedules, and the possibility of exclusivity in Korea.

The Best Vetting Net for Reducing Risk
Brands that pass Copenhagen's 19 participation criteria are a reassuring lineup that has already been screened on basic standards such as the use of eco-friendly materials and no destruction of unsold stock. Buyers only need to additionally check practical documents, such as material certificates and readiness for the 2027 EU DPP (Digital Product Passport), to significantly cut the risk and time involved in vetting their buys.

Buying That Extends from Fashion into Content
The essence of OpéraSPORT, which opened the fashion week with an outdoor stage production and sporty mix-and-match looks, is "spectacle." Buyers should look not only at the completeness of the clothes themselves, but also at whether a brand can be extended into content, such as pop-ups and displays, once it's brought into the store.