Scandi-Chic and Sustainable: Highlights from Copenhagen Fashion Week SS25
Image courtesy of Harpers Bazaar
If you’re still thinking fashion can’t be sustainable and cutting-edge, you haven’t been paying attention to Copenhagen Fashion Week. The Danish capital has officially staked its claim as the trendsetter not only in chic Scandinavian design but in pushing the boundaries of what it means to be responsible in the industry. With its mandatory sustainability requirements, CPHFW is where eco-conscious innovation meets high fashion—and the results are jaw-dropping. For Spring/Summer 2025, brands had to play by the rules or sit on the sidelines, proving that sustainability is no longer a side conversation but the main event.
What makes Copenhagen different? Unlike the usual jet-setting fashion capitals where you’re more likely to see private jets and petrol-fueled cars ferrying guests from show to show, Copenhagen has leaned into its role as a changemaker. Led by CEO Cecilie Thorsmark, who took the helm in 2018, the fashion week has raised the bar globally, using sustainability not as a buzzword but as a baseline. Since 2020, every brand showing at CPHFW has had to meet a stringent set of 18 mandatory sustainability requirements. And starting next season, the bar will be set even higher. No other major fashion week has dared to make such bold moves, and that’s what makes CPHFW the destination for the future of fashion.
Let’s dive into the highlights from some of my favorite designers this season, each with their own unique spin on fashion that blends innovation, art, and sustainability. From boundary-pushing knitwear to rock-n-roll-inspired suiting, this season was one for the books.
A. Roege Hove: Sculptural Knitwear, Reimagined
Danish designer Amalie Røge Hove has done it again. After taking a brief hiatus, she’s back and reminding us why her sculptural, body-conscious knitwear has won her awards like Woolmark’s prestigious Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation. This season, she debuted A. Roege Hove 2.0, a fresh take on her signature technical knitwear, but this time with even more artistry and edge.
Set in a brewery that added an industrial, reflective ambiance to the intricacy of her pieces, Hove's SS25 collection was like a breath of fresh (yet futuristic) air. Known for playing with transparency and form, she continued to challenge perceptions of shape and structure. A standout piece this season? A dress combining knit and woven materials, creating a contrast between rigid structure and fluid movement. The "Brat" green hue that popped against her usual muted palette was another surprise, signaling that even in knitwear, there’s room for fun.
Hove’s meticulous craftsmanship and boundary-pushing designs make her a designer’s designer, with pieces that are as much art as they are fashion. She’s a reminder that innovation can come from something as timeless as knitting—if you have the skill to pull it off. Her comeback is a full embrace of what she does best: technical brilliance with a side of rebellion. And, let’s be real, almost every look she sent down the runway? I’m ready to wear—though maybe I’d skip the capris for now (still warming up to that trend!).
All images courtesy of Vogue Scandinavia
Gestuz: Rock ‘n’ Roll Meets Scandinavian Minimalism
Gestuz brought the house down—literally—with a rock band in the middle of its runway show. But make no mistake: the music wasn’t just for fun, it set the tone for a collection inspired by the ultimate muses of the 1970s rock scene. Think Bianca Jagger, Jerry Hall, and Jane Birkin—all icons of effortless glamour that looks like it took no effort at all.
Gestuz’s Spring/Summer 2025 woman is pure rock goddess, from the oversized leopard-print blazers to the sultry leather minis. It’s giving ultimate “cool girl” vibes, and it’s no accident. Creative director Sanne Sehested looked to the women who spent their summers with the Rolling Stones, capturing that effortless mix of underdressed and overdressed, rock and luxe. Every look was a masterclass in balance: pairing oversized suiting with ultra-short shorts, throwing on a blazer over nothing but a sheer slip skirt, and pulling it all together with dazzling sequins.
Gestuz nails that elusive blend of rock and roll rebellion with the sleek Scandinavian minimalism the brand is known for. This is a collection that can go straight from the concert stage to the streets of Copenhagen without missing a beat. And for me? That leopard blazer is a must-have—definitely a day-to-night vibe. There’s an edge here that feels timeless but modern, which is exactly what makes Gestuz a standout.
All images courtesy of Vogue Scandinavia
Herskind: Tailoring with a Feminine Edge
Birgitte Herskind took things to a whole new level for Spring/Summer 2025 with a collection that perfectly balances power suiting and soft, feminine drapes. This is a wardrobe built for the modern working woman who wants both style and substance—timeless but never boring.
Herskind’s SS25 collection is all about versatility. Think power blazers with cinched waists paired with sleek capris or tailored shorts. The masculine touches—broad shoulders, tailored fits—were softened by airy fabrics and delicate drapes. Her signature drawstring blazers and sheer skirts brought a balance of structure and flow, making each piece adaptable for both boardroom meetings and after-hours cocktails.
This is exactly the kind of fashion that working women dream of—functional yet stunning. Herskind knows how to make classic tailoring feel modern and feminine without losing its sharp edge. This season, the mix of masculine and feminine, structure and fluidity, really shines. It’s not just about looking powerful; it’s about feeling powerful, too.
All images courtesy of Vogue Scandinavia
Lovechild 1979: Tactile Elegance with a Subtle Edge
For Spring/Summer 2025, Lovechild 1979 delivered what can only be described as tactile luxury. The collection was a celebration of layers, textures, and sophistication, proving once again that subtlety can be as impactful as bold statements.
Lovechild 1979's SS25 collection played with layers in every sense of the word. From the flowing silk dresses to the bold use of open-knit textiles, the collection felt like a tactile journey through modern femininity. Inspired by sculptor Eva Hesse, the collection focused on the interplay of textures—denim, organza, silk—and balanced the raw with the refined. The corn yellow hues and exaggerated cuffs peeking out from oversized blazers were a fresh take on workwear.
The juxtaposition of masculinity and femininity is always at the heart of Lovechild 1979, and this season was no different. There’s something special about how the brand blends raw textures with elegant tailoring, creating pieces that feel personal and timeless. I’m particularly drawn to the way they played with layering—it feels fresh, modern, and, most importantly, wearable.
All images courtesy of Vogue Scandinavia
Remain: Power Dressing for the Modern Heroine
Since its founding in 2019, Remain has been known for its sophisticated, leather-heavy collections. Under the creative direction of Martin Asbjørn since 2023, the brand has continued to evolve while staying rooted in tailoring and craftsmanship. This season’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection didn’t disappoint—it boldly reinterpreted power dressing, drawing inspiration from the fitness-centric, oversized silhouettes of the '80s and the sleek minimalism of the '90s.
Asbjørn’s ability to craft gravity-defying silhouettes and body-centric fabrications gave the collection a ‘retrofuturistic’ edge. Pieces like butter-yellow jackets with cropped capri pants and organza layers over leather tops felt both refined and effortlessly sexy. This collection was an ode to the workplace vixen, blending strong, shrunken lapels with sensual knit turtlenecks, and draping her in emerald green and soft greys. Remain is staking its claim in modern femininity, one sharp silhouette at a time.
All images courtesy of Vogue Scandinavia
Munthe: Celebrating 30 Years of Artistic Expression
It’s not every day that a brand celebrates 30 years, and Munthe did not disappoint with its SS25 collection. Drawing inspiration from a single seed, Naja Munthe transformed the runway into a floral fantasy, with hand-pressed flower prints adorning every piece. But don’t be fooled—this was no simple nature walk. Munthe’s collection was full of intricate craftsmanship and couture-level detailing.
The prints—created from flowers grown and pressed by Munthe herself—were at the heart of this collection, but it was the craftsmanship that stole the show. From embroidered dresses to bomber jackets adorned with three-dimensional floral appliqués, the collection was a testament to Munthe’s dedication to both art and responsibility. The pastel hues of soft purples and calming blues gave the collection a light, airy feel, but the structural tailoring reminded us that this was serious fashion. Munthe’s commitment to art and sustainability is evident in every piece, but what really struck me this season was how effortlessly she blended these two pillars. The use of hand-pressed flowers as the foundation of her designs felt deeply personal and poetic. It’s fashion as art, fashion as nature, and fashion as a statement—all rolled into one breathtaking collection.
All images courtesy of Vogue Scandinavia
Rotate: A Roaring Tribute to Partywear
Is it safe to say this was my favorite CPFW show? If there’s one brand that embodies the spirit of modern-day glamour, it’s Rotate. Co-founded by influencers Jeanette Madsen and Thora Valdimars, Rotate has quickly become synonymous with covetable partywear. For their Spring/Summer 2025 show, held in Copenhagen’s Royal Library Gardens, the brand reimagined the Roaring Twenties with a contemporary twist, filling the runway with pastel-hued dresses, fringe-heavy minis, and sequin-draped silhouettes.
But the real magic of the show wasn’t just in the clothes. Rotate's collaboration with Danish jewelry brand Pandora took center stage, adding chunky gold bracelets and rings to the already dazzling ensembles. The collection is a love letter to optimism—bringing back the light-hearted glamour we’ve all craved post-pandemic. Every piece, from floor-sweeping ruffled dresses to art-deco-inspired mesh slips, was made for women ready to embrace the good times again. Rotate never fails to serve up fun, escapist fashion with a side of sparkle.
All images courtesy of Vogue Scandinavia
Skall Studio: Bohemian Feminine Grace
Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Skall Studio’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection was a testament to the brand’s boho-chic aesthetic, fused with timeless femininity. Inspired by British designer Loulou de la Falaise, the collection showcased flowing silhouettes, natural fabrics, and understated details that define Skall’s DNA. This season, the Skall sisters focused on accentuating the waist, adding woven belts and cinched jackets to their signature breezy pieces.
With its commitment to natural fibers and craftsmanship, Skall Studio stands out as a leader in sustainable fashion. The color palette of white, beige, and peach, alongside relaxed fits and refined tailoring, made the collection feel like a daydream of European summer. Whether it was the cinched-waist Gaby jacket or the soft cotton-linen dresses, Skall’s ode to effortless elegance remained true to its sophisticated bohemian roots.
All images courtesy of Vogue Scandinavia
Closing Thoughts
Copenhagen Fashion Week isn’t just about the clothes—it’s about reshaping the fashion world as we know it. From Amalie Røge Hove’s technical knitwear to Munthe’s poetic florals, this season was a masterclass in how creativity, sustainability, and craftsmanship can come together to define the future of fashion. As the world catches up, Copenhagen will remain ahead of the curve, setting trends not just in aesthetics but in how fashion can—and should—evolve.