Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) has become widely regarded as the fifth fashion week, after the ‘Big Four’ of New York, London, Milan and Paris. The city’s reputation for sustainability, super-cool brands and impeccable street style has catapulted it onto the world stage — hello, this is the birth place of Ganni after all. And earlier this year, The British Fashion Council announced that it would be adopting CPHFW’s Sustainability Requirements, a minimum set of standards covering both environmental and social considerations for all on-schedule brands, coming into full effect for London Fashion Week by January 2026.
The line up for the Spring/Summer 2026 season – taking place 4-8 August 2025 – has just been announced, and we are very excited about one name in particular. Cecilie Bahnsen will be the first recipient of CPHFW’s new guest slot, moving her show from Paris where the Danish designer has been presenting her namesake label’s collections since 2020. Known for its ultra-feminine silhouettes, as well as collaborations with brands like Asics and The North Face, the return to Copenhagen coincides with the label’s tenth anniversary.
“Copenhagen is where I found my voice as an independent designer, created our universe, and was given the support to grow what Cecilie Bahnsen is today,” said the designer in a release. She hinted that the upcoming show “will stand as a celebration of the brand’s evolution and growth, showcasing how we have moved forward whilst honouring our roots and the city of Copenhagen as an essential part of Cecilie Bahnsen’s story.”
Cecilie Bahnsen Autumn/Winter 2025 show at Paris Fashion Week
The four day event will feature 45 different brands across the CPHFW NEWTALENT Scheme, where brands receive monetary support, mentorships and business guidance; The Zalando Visionary Award, whose previous winners include London based designers Paolina Russo and Sinéad O’Dwyer; and established Scandi names like Rotate, Filippa K and Marimekko.
Rotate Autumn/Winter 2025 show at CPHFW
“I’m proud to unveil the brand line up for Spring/Summer 2026, which once again affirms Copenhagen Fashion Week’s position as a leading global fashion week. Despite the headwinds facing our industry, it’s both meaningful and encouraging to see growing participation and support — a clear reminder of how vital a platform like this becomes in challenging times,” said Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of CPHFW. “I look forward to seeing the season unfold and to presenting the most relevant voices in the Nordic creative industry to our global community coming together to support, spotlight, and celebrate in August.”
Stamm Spring/Summer 2025 show backstage at CPHFW
If, like us, you can’t wait until then, CPHFW are teaming up with the V&A Museum in London later this month for a special one-off event. The renowned ‘V&A Fashion in Motion’ will present five key emerging designers from Denmark; Alectra Rothschild / Masculina, Berner Kühl, Bonnetje, Stamm, and Stem. Through the series, which has platformed iconic British and international designers to the public since 1999, each designer will present six key looks that embody their vision and encompass their dedication to creative craft and expression. Best of all? It’s free to attend. Three free shows will take place on 30 May in the V&A South Kensington’s Raphael Court, with tickets being available to book from 21 May. So if you can’t make it to Copenhagen, let it — and all of its inspiration — come to you.
Rebecca Jane Hill is the Senior Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan UK. She has previously contributed to publications including Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Refinery29, The Face, Glamour and Stylist. She started her own magazine, Sister, in 2012 whilst at university. Focused around feminism, fashion and culture, it went on to produce 12 globally stocked print issues, as well as countless events and partnerships. She closed the magazine in 2023.
Rebecca has been an associate lecturer at London College of Fashion since 2018, where she teaches on the Fashion Journalism course. She is a passionate second-hand shopper and is constantly on the lookout for new design talent.
