Always scheduled towards the end of the sales season, the Copenhagen trade shows once again proved to be amongst the most relaxed ones in Europe – but also fashion-wise amongst the most inspiring. Moods were good with both CIFF and Revolver being busy on all show days and many exhibitors stressing to look back on a successful sales season.
Highlights from CIFF
CIFF made a great effort in designing their ‘Projects’ area located around the entrance where a handful of progressive fashion brands showcased their collection in a gallery-like, very open spaced layout. Looking for directional collections, especially CIFF’s Raven (menswear) and Lab areas offered great inspiration, showcasing both local newcomers such as Lærke Andersen, established Scandi-heroes such as Common Projects, Lovechild 1979, Norwegian Rain or international agencies introducing exciting overseas brands to the showground, such as the super cool upgrading-old-Levi’s-jeans brand Re/Done from the US.
Best Denim: Re/Done
This online-born denim brand does what you always wanted to have: altering old vintage Levi’s denims to match today’s fit and style expectations. Re/Done buys pre-loved Levi’s, opens up all side seams to actually make them fit a current size range and modifies them into their own contemporary fits (such as a mid-rise skinny, a slouchy relaxed and skimming high-rise) in their facilities in downtown Los Angeles. All pairs are labelled with both the Levi’s and Re/Done logo and are naturally limited and one of a kind. Distributed via Vald Agency. 
Best cooperation: Norwegian Rain x Grenson
What comes out when an English boots expert collaborates with a Scandinavian rainwear expert? Naturally, a water-proof boot. But one that doesn’t look like a functional Gore-Tex version, but a very lusty leather boot. Apart from that, Norwegian Rain also introduced a rainproof backpack and expanded their successful range of understatement raincoats with which they have just been able to sign some new major accounts this season.
Best Newcomer: Lærke Andersen
This St. Martins graduate seeks to break the boundaries between feminine and masculine, function and luxury – two approaches that couldn’t be more contemporary. In her fall/winter ’16 collection, Lærke shows supersized shirts, pants and jackets with frayed seams, plus hoodies and dresses made from all-functional materials.
Must-have: Matching sets
In womenswear, matchy-matchy is everything but a bourgeois mindset this season. Cropped tops and skirts, but especially rollneck tops and flared knitted pants often come as twin-sets, made in the same (often plushy) fabrics, colors and patterns.
Best installation: Tomorrow agency
The sales/marketing PR agency with showrooms in London, Milan, Paris and New York had a whole “gallery” to showcase a selection of their high-profile brands (Christopher Raeburn, Markus Lupfer etc.) at CIFF’s Crystal Hall. We especially liked the outstanding women’s denim by SJYP (the more sportive line by Korean fashion brand Steve J & Yoni P).
The material choice: Glamour & Glitter
In womenswear, materials couldn’t be more festive and next season. Thick velvets, lace overalls, lurex and patent elements or butter-soft suede leathers: the more pompous, the merrier. Time to celebrate!
Highlights from Revolver
Revolver once again came up with a good brand offer, showcasing most mid-range Scandi-heroes (Soulland, Samsøe Samsøe, Mads Norgard, 2nd Day etc.) in the central Oksnehallen. However, when passing the entrance point located in the second hall vis-à-vis, one was forced to run through all of the circle-like arranged showground before being able to exit or stopping by the wardrobe again. Apart from this rather unfavorable layout, also the second part of the “Revolver Village” offered a number of interesting brands, from upscale local names such as Henrik Vibskov, Reality Studio, Back or Örjan Andersson across European streetwear by Reel Jeans, Wemoto or Pelle Pelle Europe.
Best newcomer: Selfhood
The makers behind men’s streetwear brand RVLT (Revolution) tried to start a corresponding women’s brand twice – and failed twice. They shouldn’t be this time. Their latest brainchild Selfhood makes amazing women’s outerwear to very sellable prices and communicates this in a clean and contemporary visual language. With their range of thinner wool jackets and more functional parkas, they contribute to the very current idea of layering. Well done!
Best denim: Whyred Denim
Having always offered denim pieces as part of the main collection, Swedish brand Whyred is now firstly marketing a separate denim line for the fall/winter ’16 season. Apart from a variety of denim cuts and washes, the collection also includes some cool outerwear such as sporty parkas and leo-patterned wool coats.
Best streetwear (for both sexes!): Rascals
The young Copenhagen-based brand that raised from the local cycling/fixie culture delivered a fall/winter ’16 collection that was on point, nailing major influences in streetwear right now. From slim fit turtle neck shirts to big logos, zipped jumpers, plushy fleece fabrics, rib-knits and patchwork: it’s all there, and - as very rarely seen in streetwear - well mastered for both boys AND girls. Chapeau.
The shoe: Neoprene-lined footwear
Neoprene socks and inlays are no longer just a thing in sneakers – clearly taking inspiration from the sports scene, many fashion collections have incorporated this idea into their range of shoes and boots - especially the current “grandma-shaped” round-toe booties are injected with currentness via the tech material.
The color: Orange
From shirts and tops to bottoms and even leather jackets: bright and rusty oranges are the color range to go for next winter.
The next Copenhagen shows will be held from 10th till 12th of August 2016.
Highlights from CIFF
CIFF made a great effort in designing their ‘Projects’ area located around the entrance where a handful of progressive fashion brands showcased their collection in a gallery-like, very open spaced layout. Looking for directional collections, especially CIFF’s Raven (menswear) and Lab areas offered great inspiration, showcasing both local newcomers such as Lærke Andersen, established Scandi-heroes such as Common Projects, Lovechild 1979, Norwegian Rain or international agencies introducing exciting overseas brands to the showground, such as the super cool upgrading-old-Levi’s-jeans brand Re/Done from the US.
Best Denim: Re/Done
This online-born denim brand does what you always wanted to have: altering old vintage Levi’s denims to match today’s fit and style expectations. Re/Done buys pre-loved Levi’s, opens up all side seams to actually make them fit a current size range and modifies them into their own contemporary fits (such as a mid-rise skinny, a slouchy relaxed and skimming high-rise) in their facilities in downtown Los Angeles. All pairs are labelled with both the Levi’s and Re/Done logo and are naturally limited and one of a kind. Distributed via Vald Agency.
Re/Done campaign imagery
Best cooperation: Norwegian Rain x Grenson
What comes out when an English boots expert collaborates with a Scandinavian rainwear expert? Naturally, a water-proof boot. But one that doesn’t look like a functional Gore-Tex version, but a very lusty leather boot. Apart from that, Norwegian Rain also introduced a rainproof backpack and expanded their successful range of understatement raincoats with which they have just been able to sign some new major accounts this season.
Norwegian Rain x Grenson
Best Newcomer: Lærke Andersen
This St. Martins graduate seeks to break the boundaries between feminine and masculine, function and luxury – two approaches that couldn’t be more contemporary. In her fall/winter ’16 collection, Lærke shows supersized shirts, pants and jackets with frayed seams, plus hoodies and dresses made from all-functional materials.
Lærke Andersen for fall/winter 2016
Must-have: Matching sets
In womenswear, matchy-matchy is everything but a bourgeois mindset this season. Cropped tops and skirts, but especially rollneck tops and flared knitted pants often come as twin-sets, made in the same (often plushy) fabrics, colors and patterns.
Mathing sets at Just Female (left) and Rodebjer
Best installation: Tomorrow agency
The sales/marketing PR agency with showrooms in London, Milan, Paris and New York had a whole “gallery” to showcase a selection of their high-profile brands (Christopher Raeburn, Markus Lupfer etc.) at CIFF’s Crystal Hall. We especially liked the outstanding women’s denim by SJYP (the more sportive line by Korean fashion brand Steve J & Yoni P).
Installation by Tomorrow, SJYP collection to the right
The material choice: Glamour & Glitter
In womenswear, materials couldn’t be more festive and next season. Thick velvets, lace overalls, lurex and patent elements or butter-soft suede leathers: the more pompous, the merrier. Time to celebrate!
Lovechild 1979
Highlights from Revolver
Revolver once again came up with a good brand offer, showcasing most mid-range Scandi-heroes (Soulland, Samsøe Samsøe, Mads Norgard, 2nd Day etc.) in the central Oksnehallen. However, when passing the entrance point located in the second hall vis-à-vis, one was forced to run through all of the circle-like arranged showground before being able to exit or stopping by the wardrobe again. Apart from this rather unfavorable layout, also the second part of the “Revolver Village” offered a number of interesting brands, from upscale local names such as Henrik Vibskov, Reality Studio, Back or Örjan Andersson across European streetwear by Reel Jeans, Wemoto or Pelle Pelle Europe.
Best newcomer: Selfhood
The makers behind men’s streetwear brand RVLT (Revolution) tried to start a corresponding women’s brand twice – and failed twice. They shouldn’t be this time. Their latest brainchild Selfhood makes amazing women’s outerwear to very sellable prices and communicates this in a clean and contemporary visual language. With their range of thinner wool jackets and more functional parkas, they contribute to the very current idea of layering. Well done!
Selfhood woolen jackets
Best denim: Whyred Denim
Having always offered denim pieces as part of the main collection, Swedish brand Whyred is now firstly marketing a separate denim line for the fall/winter ’16 season. Apart from a variety of denim cuts and washes, the collection also includes some cool outerwear such as sporty parkas and leo-patterned wool coats.
Denims & more: Whyred Denim
Best streetwear (for both sexes!): Rascals
The young Copenhagen-based brand that raised from the local cycling/fixie culture delivered a fall/winter ’16 collection that was on point, nailing major influences in streetwear right now. From slim fit turtle neck shirts to big logos, zipped jumpers, plushy fleece fabrics, rib-knits and patchwork: it’s all there, and - as very rarely seen in streetwear - well mastered for both boys AND girls. Chapeau.
Mastering trends: Rascals
The shoe: Neoprene-lined footwear
Neoprene socks and inlays are no longer just a thing in sneakers – clearly taking inspiration from the sports scene, many fashion collections have incorporated this idea into their range of shoes and boots - especially the current “grandma-shaped” round-toe booties are injected with currentness via the tech material.
Reality Studio
The color: Orange
From shirts and tops to bottoms and even leather jackets: bright and rusty oranges are the color range to go for next winter.
Mads Norgaard
The next Copenhagen shows will be held from 10th till 12th of August 2016.
