Copenhagen fashion week wrapped this weekend, and the Scandinavian Spring ’14 runways saw designers embrace relaxed, sportswear-inspired looks in mesh, nylon, and neoprene. A fitting trend, perhaps, seeing as informality is a big part of Copenhagen’s culture.
Danish enfant terrible Asger Juel Larsen opened the festivities, and his hard-hitting political show set a high standard. Anne Sofie Madsen delivered a striking array of intricate leather dresses, bulky tops inspired by motocross, and broad pants paired with mesh tops. She completed her looks with jewelry by Trine Tuxen. And rising star Freya Dalsjø raised the bar still, bringing in Lindsey Wixson to open her three-model-only show (above, left). Her trio of catwalkers piled on layers and layers of color-blocked silk garments before wrapping up in boxy, swoon-worthy neoprene coats for their final lap.
Henrik Vibskov showed off his print chops with an Afrocentric collection—one of his best in recent years (above, right). Baum und Pferdgarten, too, delivered strong prints—from leopard spots to stripes—on its wearable, feminine garments, and Jean//Phillip returned to the menswear scene with a lineup that included red and green reptile motifs.
Designers Remix enlisted Caroline Brasch Nielsen and Nadja Bender to open its show in the new aquarium, which, paying tribute to the collection’s nautical theme, was arguably the best venue of the season. And later, By Malene Birger turned out an elegant selection of crisp, quiet clothes. The largely black-and-white range proved that Ms. Birger is deserving of the international praise she continues to receive season after season.
Streetwear brands are some of the best ambassadors of Scandinavian style. Wood Wood offered the most literal sports references with its marble prints and cropped pants (above, left). However, it was Han Kjøbenhavn (above, right) that showcased Copenhagen’s finest quality thanks to its Ping-Pong playing models: a good sense of fun.
