#cfw

August 29, 2012

From Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring 2013: Vibskov

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[Image via www.wearemad.net]

Ever the eccentric, Henrik Vibskov never fails to be amongst the highlights of Copenhagen Fashion Week, underscored by the throng of admirers vying to get in to his shows. This season’s collection, bearing the name “The Transparent Tongue,” was held in the beautiful courtyard of the Danish Art Academy after dark. Notorious for fusing fashion with art, the show was more of an installation-meets-performance-art-piece than a mere catwalk frenzy. An inflatable pink tongue covered in black protruding “taste buds” expanded down the runway to a burgeoning bass-heavy soundtrack, after and in which masked men began to writhe waist-deep as models took their lead around the installation. Draped layers, earth tones, and the signature Vibskov prints were paired with sweaters and skirts with circle cutouts to echo his inspiration, while handcrafted baskets and wooden tongue brushes underscored his twisted, yet captivating influence of the human tongue.

[Image via http://patrickpankalla.dk/]

–Maria Eilersen covered Copenhagen Fashion Week’s Spring 2013 on behalf of Fashion Pulse Daily

September 4, 2010

Copenhagen Fashion Week Part III: Ivana Helsinki, Heering/Lars Wallin & The World’s Greatest Catwalk

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[Images by Mai Lyngby]

Ivana Helsinki

With the provocative name, “Where the fuck is my sailor?“ it is no wonder the fashion elite wouldn’t shut up about Ivana Helsinki. Prefaced by a melancholic short film depicting a girl sulking on the Finnish shore, her collection re-introduced the timeless marine aesthetic. Dusted with smoky eyes and clad in the Swedish cult-clogs, Hasbeens, models mirrored the opening feature with a somber bordering-on-tears look as they pranced down the catwalk in shades of white, blue, and red.

The Greek

The Swede

[Images via Copenhagenfashionweek.com]

Greek Loukas-Athanasios Alifragkis & Swedish Lars Wallin

Hosted by the glamorous Danish actress, Christiane Schaumburg-Müller, at the expensive Nimb Bar adjacent to Tivoli Gardens, these two collections inaugurated the second day of Copenhagen Fashion Week. First, Greek designer and winner of the Heering World Championship in Fashion Mixing and Drinking Designing, Loukas-Athanasios Alifragkis, exhibited a dashing array of cocktail dresses inspired by the drinks after which they are named. Poised with high-ponytails affixed with a gold cuff, models glided down the red carpet in uber-short gold sequins and strapless boudoir looks. As a contrast to the slender sky-high stilettos, his button-less jackets were padded and square in black, champagne and white. Corset-tops are paired with long sparkling skirts, while tight sheer gowns leave little to the imagination, culminating with intricate red drapery shaping a provocative voluminous gown. With an intermission of sips of Heering cherry and the sound of Danish popstar, Medina, Swedish designer, Lars Wallin, followed suit, presenting a sophisticated collections of feminine A-line skirts and gowns fit for a night out with the girls.

[Images via Copenhagenfashionweek.com]

Worlds Greatest Catwalk

Stretching an record-breaking 1,069 km, the pink two meter wide catwalk connected the two main squares of  Copenhagen’s city centre, bringing the exclusivity of Fashion Week to the streets. Inaugurated by its patroness and Danish supermodel, Helena Christensen, at the City Hall, 220 models (and Danish celebrities sprinkled in between) were sent down the vibrant runway to a uniquely Danish soundtrack, smiling stoically in the rain. In addition to breaking a world record, the show epitomizes the recent efforts by the Danish Fashion Institute to make Copenhagen Fashion Week a more inclusive event, accessible to everyone. While journalists and photographers raced  from show to show throughout the week, the public had the opportunity to attend fashion exhibits and events, like Friday’s Fashion Night Out adopted from New York’s version. Showing the pinnacle of Scandinavian design, the World’s Greatest Catwalk proves Copenhagen has its foot in the door – oh, and that us Danes like pink.

– Maria Eilersen

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August 31, 2010

Copenhagen Fashion Week S/S 2011 Part II: Malene Birger, Rutzou & Munthe Plus Simonsen

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[All Images by Mai Lyngby]

Malene Birger

Highly acclaimed Malene Birger is a successful designer in Scandinavia, proved by the vast crowd who gathered for her SS 2011 collection located in the remote shipping warehouse outside of Copenhagen. Danish celebrities lined the front row for the show, which had an overall aesthetic of urban safari comprised of warm earth tones and soft pastels, shapely trench coats, suits, and maxi dresses. Cinched waists underscore a strong female silhouette this season, much to the pleasure of us bestowed with hourglass curves. Still, topped off with a scarf wrapped beneath a bowler hat, the feminine shapes are given a suitable contrast, lacing estrogen and testosterone together to produce an alluring balance.


Rutzou

Radiating tribal romance infused with touches of elegant Egyptian, Rutzou presented her soft feminine collection at Copenhagen’s city hall to a feast of VIP guests. Revamped jodhpurs are made sophisticated with a sheer silk vest, followed by fluid jumpsuits and playful frippery. The soft yet edgy looks are juxtaposed with overlaying corsets and thick waist-belts on silk pastel dresses, pairing comfort with sophistication. The slouched silhouette reminiscent of the early mid-20th century are updated with long-ended gold chokers and yellow, black and white staned garments and light shades of purple and tan on floor-length gowns. According this collection, the key to spring is comfort, elegance with accents inspired by mother earth.


Munthe plus Simonsen

Optimistically set on the charming cobblestone street, Grønnegade, French-braided models smiled as they paraded down the interim grass strip in the rain. Playful, light, and fun best describes the collection, alluding to an tribal-indian inspiration with feather earrings and floral brocades. Thanks to a faithful audience and stoic bundle of models, the show was a success in spite of the dreary Danish weather.

–Maria Eilersen



August 24, 2010

Copenhagen Fashion Week Part I: Minimarket, Henrik Vibskov & Wood Wood

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Minimarket

Inspired by voodoo and superstition, Minimarket presented an eclectic collection comprised of strong cuts playing tribute to the female shape. Elaborate hair ornaments made of straw, leaves, wood and feathers underscored the allusion to dark arts. Comprised of semi-geometric patterns and solids, the looks adhere to different shades of a trio: apricot, aqua and blue, accented by either cayenne or black. Accessorized with John Lennon sunglasses and two meter long necklaces, the three Swedish designers behind the brand managed to produce my favorite collection of the week.

Henrik Vibskov

Held at the eerie pedestrian bridge in a very dark Copenhagen park, the last show of the evening was worth the wait. Adorned with a thick black fabric wrapped from crown to chin paired with opaque goggles, models plodded down the make-shift wooden planks in simple-yet-dynamic garments. Maintaining his eccentric reputation, Vibskov sent a wooden sailboat down the opposite end of the runway, creating an unfortunate distraction to the otherwise strong collection.

[All Images by Mai Lyngby]


Wood Wood

Soaked in H2O and rocking tangled knots with the odd fabric weaved braid, models sauntered the through the numerous rooms hosting this season’s show with a jaded attitude to match the utility-inspired garments.  Kiss-printed dress shirts and graphic A-line skirts and shorts ran throughout this light-hearted collection, while the backpack adorned many backsides, proving the practical accessory is here to stay.

-Maria Eilersen

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