Flicking through the May issue ofThe Weekly, you might notice some rather spectacular scenery in our coat special.
We aren’t in the habit of flying to Europe to shoot fashion stories, but when ECCO offered me a press trip to Denmark for Copenhagen Fashion Week, it was an opportunity too good to refuse.
So back in February, I packed up suitcases full of the best Australian fashion and flew to Denmark for a week of fun, fashion and bitterly cold weather.
For everyone who has wondered what life as a fashion editor is like, I kept this little diary of my trip just for you — enjoy!
Walking in Style
The trip started with a bang, I was invited to interview the head designer for ECCO ladies shoes, Niki, the night I arrived.
It was great to get an insight into the company and its Danish history but even more fascinating to speak to a fourth generation shoe maker, who has worked at his craft for 17 years — more than half of his life.
Niki started working for ECCO when he was 16. He began as a patternmaker and has risen through the ranks.
He told me about his passion for Scandinavian design and assured me I would be captivated by the designs that he was preparing to show at the ECCO Walk In Style Awards the following night.
The Walk in Style Awards were amazing. The fashion shows were broken up into three categories with a 1960s mod vibe, including a bold colour-blocking story and earthy back-to-nature theme.
Crown Princess Mary with the ECCO Walk In Style award winner Hadassah De Boer.
There was a great performance by Denmark’s own Lady Gaga, a popstar named Aura, and a wonderful energy.
Marlene Birger
At the By Marlene Birger (BMB) show it was all about luxe fabrics. Marlene’s winter collection included a long fluid silk gown with metallic hardware, lurex knits, a textured metallic houndstooth skirt, jacquard prints, camel coats, electric blues and sexy black lace.
The five keys looks that stood out were elegant, ladylike, sophisticated styles that are fit for royalty and us mere mortals too.
There was even a black version of the stunning white BMB tuxedo Princess Mary wore to the Walk in Style Awards.
These pieces are all on my wish list, and a selection is stocked locally at Christiansen Copenhagen.
Fashion, jewels and grunge
The team at Georg Jensen invited me to their Copenhagen headquarters where local pret-a-porter label YDE was on show.
As I arrived I was ushered inside as they were worried an Australian girl should not be out in the snow — it was -6 degrees!
Once inside and toasty warm, I watched the artisans and silversmiths working away in a glass studio as the elite Danish crowd — actresses, models, magazine editors — milled around waiting for the show to start.
On the catwalk, YDE designs shared the spotlight with George Jensen jewels, with all the models wearing pieces from both brands.
Models on the catwalk at the YDE show.
Later that night I went to Christiania — a self-proclaimed autonomous neighbourhood of about 850 residents in downtown Copenhagen — to see Rutzou.
Christiania is like nowhere I’ve ever been and there’s a lot to take in — a mix of dark independence, art and mystery.
The show was in a graffiti-covered shed — a very rustic and grungy setting that sharply contrasted with the collection shown.
Rutzou is all about femininity, beautiful prints and fluid silhouettes constructed in an artfully tailored manor — and a favourite of Princess Mary.
A crown fit for a princess
I was invited to the Ole Lynggaard flagship boutique to see the latest collection and images from the campaign featuring Danish beauty Helena Christiansen.
Ole and his daughter Charlotte are the brand’s designers, while son Simon is the CEO and I have not met a nicer family.
They are all so passionate about their craft, their Danish heritage and Scandinavian design.
Charlotte told me about one of their most stunning creations, a beautiful bespoke tiara made of gum leaves, semi-precious stones and pave diamond clusters.
It took over 400 hours to construct and was made for an exhibition celebrating Ole’s work as a jeweller.
When the piece was finished, the Lynggaard’s were shocked to be approached by the Danish Palace and asked if Mary could wear the piece.
They agreed and Mary wore the piece to an event, and now frequently wears Ole Lynggaard jewels.
The tiara Ole Lynggaard hand-crafted for Princess Mary, and Mary wearing the piece.
Work and play
The rest of my time I spent sight-seeing in the below zero temperature. I went on a cruise around the canals, saw the famous Little Mermaid statue, looked at the castles, walked the streets and fit in a spot of shopping!
I also spent a lot of time furiously preparing for a fashion shoot. On my second-last day I joined a team of Danish photographers, hairdressers and make-up artists to shoot a beautiful coat spread for the May issue ofThe Weekly.
It was such a fun day — even though it was -8 degrees — but we quickly forgot about the cold and just had an amazing time.
Behind-the-scenes at The Weekly’s Copenhagen fashion shoot.
Keep an eye out for the shoot in the May issue ofThe Weeklyso you can see for yourself how beautiful Copenhagen really is.
Thank you to ECCO for inviting me on this trip, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and cannot wait to go back!
Some of the best Scandinavian brands are now available in Australia. Here’s how to get your hands on some Scandi-style:
Christian Copenhagen Boutiquestocks By Marlene Birger, Designers Remix and many more Danish fashion brands.
Grace boutiquesells Rutzou.
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