Although the tourist wave decreased significantly in August, the past week brought hundreds (if not thousands) of people to the country for a different reason. This time each year we celebrate Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW), which takes place bi-annually in August and February. While we often refer to Paris, Milan, or London as the hubs of worldwide fashion, those in the industry will often argue that the Danish capital plays a quieter but not less important role in shaping fashion around the globe.
What might make Copenhagen a unique city for style has to do with its way of life, which, contrary to other cities, doesn’t really allow for “uncomfortable” fashion. Scandi weather demands practicality and durability, bringing to the surface the shortcomings of brands that fail to prioritize quality and sustainability. One simply cannot afford to wear bad wool in Danish winter winds or wear jewelry that will go green at the first rain (which is probably tomorrow).
The question of sustainable fashion, which has played an increasing role in CPHFW over the last few years, brings uncomfortable but necessary dilemmas to the table. Is a brand truly sustainable if its products are made from recycled materials but cannot be recycled themselves? Is “eco leather” truly “eco” compared to real leather if its plastic will peel and force you to replace the item in two years?
When the question is whether to choose between food on the table or slow fashion, consumers can hardly be blamed for resorting to fast-fashion (and cheaper) brands. On the other hand, countries like Denmark necessarily hold more responsibility for shaping choices that are more conscious, understanding that cheap fashion very often equals underpaid labor for someone else. Aside from nice catwalks, CPHFW is a chance to reevaluate our choices and relationship with dressing and reflect on how present we are when choosing what clothes we inhabit.
