Copenhagen Fashion Week celebrates its 20th anniversary this weekend, turning the city into a fashion playground.
From the Opera Park to the Statens Museum for Kunst, the Spring/Summer 2027 schedule spreads across cobbled streets and waterside runways, promising the biggest edition yet.
Celebrating 20 Years with Global Guests
New York label Collina Strada will take the stage on Thursday, earning the first seasonal guest slot backed by The Climate Pledge, a signatory to the week’s green agenda. Lagos Fashion Week’s Iamisigo returns for its third consecutive season, while Milan‑based Institution joins for a one‑off appearance after winning the Zalando Visionary Award.
Jewelry giant Pandora adds sparkle to the 20th‑anniversary gala at the Danish Royal Opera and supports the New Talent programme, dressing emerging designers Taus and Anne‑Sofie Madsen. Footwear brands also make a splash: Paolina Russo teams up with Ecco, and Stem partners with Camper, continuing a trend of cross‑border collaborations.
"Over the years, Copenhagen Fashion Week has gone from a regional industry event where the shows were front and center, to an international platform with very clear values and a clear direction for how we see the future of fashion shaping up," — Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO, Copenhagen Fashion Week
"Our focus on sustainability seems to have resonated with brands that either haven’t done a show before, or haven’t previously considered Copenhagen. It’s a great opportunity for exchange," — Cecilie Thorsmark
Sustainability at the Core of the Shows
The week’s minimum sustainability standards, introduced in 2020, require brands to address environmental and social impacts to stay on schedule. In 2025 a green‑washing allegation from specialist Tanja Gotthardsen and consumer group Tænk forced the organisers to defend their approach before Danish authorities, highlighting the challenges of maintaining high standards.
Despite the setback, Copenhagen Fashion Week remains a lone wolf among major fashion capitals, holding fast to its eco‑conscious vision. Stem revisits its 2022 collaboration with Ganni, this time reworking dead‑stock material into new looks – its first foray into synthetic fabrics, with a signature zero‑waste twist.
Local Talent and Fresh Collaborations
Nordic designers such as Henrik Vibskov, Baum und Pferdgarten and Rotate stay front and centre, reinforcing the city’s home‑grown appeal. Finnish brand Almada Label makes its debut, while Mfpen, Stine Goya and Alectra Rothschild / Masculina return after brief breaks.
The programme also highlights emerging footwear partnerships, with Paolina Russo and Ecco, and Stem and Camper delivering innovative designs that blend style with sustainability. As the week unfolds, visitors can expect a mix of established names and fresh faces, all navigating the evolving landscape of responsible fashion.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 20th anniversary of Copenhagen Fashion Week celebrated?
Copenhagen Fashion Week marks its 20th anniversary this weekend, with the Spring/Summer 2027 shows opening on Thursday.
Which international label is the first seasonal guest backed by The Climate Pledge?
New York label Collina Strada will take the stage on Thursday as the first seasonal guest supported by The Climate Pledge.
What sustainability standards did Copenhagen Fashion Week introduce in 2020?
The week introduced minimum sustainability standards that require participating brands to address both environmental and social impacts to remain on the schedule.
Which jewelry giant is part of the 20th‑anniversary gala and the New Talent programme?
Pandora adds sparkle to the gala at the Danish Royal Opera and backs the New Talent programme, dressing emerging designers such as Taus and Anne‑Sofie Madsen.
