Nicklas Skovgaard has been announced as the winner of the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize 2025, one of the most respected fashion awards in the Nordic region. The prize honors Denmark’s most promising fashion entrepreneurs who combine artistic excellence with business innovation. The award was presented by Nina Wedell-Wedellsborg, Founder of the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize, during an elegant ceremony that celebrated the best of modern Danish design.
The Wessel & Vett Foundation sponsored the event and awarded Skovgaard a prize of 500,000 DKK. Beyond the cash reward, the winner will benefit from a partnership with Copenhagen Fashion Week, gaining access to its official activities, media visibility, and unique professional opportunities designed to strengthen emerging brands.
This year’s three finalists, Mfpen, Nicklas Skovgaard, and Stel, presented their collections and business strategies before an international jury of top fashion professionals. Returning to its dual-jury format, the evaluation brought together both creative and business-focused experts.
The creative jury members examined design vision, craftsmanship, technical execution, and cultural relevance. The business jury analyzed commercial potential, scalability, market positioning, and long-term sustainability. Together, they selected the winner who best represented originality, artistry, business skill, and a responsible approach to modern fashion.
“Being a finalist in 2022 was already an honor. Winning the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize 2025 feels like recognition of how far I’ve come since then. My journey has always been about reshaping the familiar and rethinking nostalgia. It started with my mother’s way of dressing and grew into a vision built on slow, organic progress. I’ve learned to mix contrasting materials and emotions to create something genuine. This award inspires me to expand my team and bring my work to a wider audience while staying true to the values that define my brand,” said Nicklas Skovgaard.
Nina Wedell-Wedellsborg, Founder of the W&V Fashion Prize and Board Member of the W&V Foundation, praised this year’s finalists for proving that creativity and business can thrive together.
“Our winner stood out for a unique and emotionally rich aesthetic. The designs blend theatrical and historical influences with modern touches, transforming nostalgia into something fresh. With strong craftsmanship and precise construction, this work turns clothing into stories of honesty and innovation. The winner represents a new voice in Danish fashion, balancing realism and romanticism while pushing creative boundaries. We are excited to see what comes next for Nicklas Skovgaard,” she said.
Partnership with Copenhagen Fashion Week
Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week, highlighted the ongoing partnership with the Wessel & Vett Foundation. “The Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize continues to strengthen Danish fashion. The 2025 finalists show the spirit of our times and the vision shaping the industry’s future. Through this partnership, designers not only gain financial support but also the most prestigious recognition in Danish fashion,” she said.
The collaboration between Copenhagen Fashion Week and the Wessel & Vett Foundation, launched in 2022 under the CPHFW NEWTALENT program, continues to empower new talent. The foundation supports brands with bursaries for their showcases, helping ensure a strong future for Danish fashion at home and abroad.
About the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize
Founded in 2012 by the Wessel & Vett Foundation, the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize is the Nordic region’s leading independent award for fashion design. It celebrates creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation while honoring the legacy of Magasin du Nord. The prize connects Danish fashion’s rich past with a forward-looking vision, encouraging new designers to shape the next chapter of Scandinavian style.
About the Wessel & Vett Foundation
The Wessel & Vett Foundation was established to continue the vision of Theodor Wessel and Emil Vett, the founders of Magasin du Nord. Though independent from the department store, the foundation supports creative projects that celebrate Danish culture, design, and entrepreneurship. Its continued investment in emerging talent reflects a commitment to preserving Denmark’s design heritage while promoting innovation for the future.
