Copenhagen Fashion Week AW26 opens a landmark moment for the Nordic fashion scene, beginning a year that celebrates twenty years of growth, creativity, and cultural influence. The anniversary in 2026 marks two decades of steady evolution for the region and highlights how the event has shaped new directions in global fashion.
Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week, explained that reaching the twenty year point is not only a chance to look at the past. It is a moment to consider how the platform can guide a future industry that is still adapting to rapid changes. She noted that the last few years have tested the stability of many fashion businesses. Yet the Nordic community has continued to push forward, gaining international attention and strengthening its creative identity. She added that Copenhagen Fashion Week has been proud to support that journey.
Throughout 2026, both editions of Copenhagen Fashion Week will run alongside a series of international projects. These will be revealed over the course of the year, reinforcing the expanding reach of the platform. Visitor numbers for the January and August dates are expected to rise sharply. The anniversary year will close with a major activation that honors Nordic designers who have influenced global fashion. A commemorative book will also be released, documenting the last twenty years of Copenhagen Fashion Week and outlining its vision for seasons ahead.
The AW26 season officially opens with an evening cocktail event on Monday 26 January and closes with an anniversary dinner on Thursday 29 January. The show schedule runs from 27 to 29 January and presents a curated selection of leading Nordic and international labels. Several notable returns and debuts give the program a forward looking energy. Paolina Russo, winner of the 2024 Zalando Visionary Award, returns to the runway. Nazzal Studio, winner of the 2024 FTA Franca Sozzani Debut Talent award, also joins the schedule. Danish menswear design gains a new moment of visibility with the debut of O. Files.
The AW26 edition is also the first season to fully apply the updated Sustainability Requirements. These requirements were introduced in 2024 and tested across two seasons to refine the structure. The revised framework strengthens the original set of expectations first used in 2023. Every brand on the official AW26 schedule has been assessed against the updated list of nineteen Minimum Standards.
Cecilie Thorsmark noted that the purpose of these requirements is to guide the industry toward measurable progress. She stated that the strengthened framework raises the expectations for participating brands, which she sees as an essential step for long term change.
AW26 OFFICIAL BRAND LINE UP
Aiayu
Alis
Anne Sofie Madsen – (CPHFW NewTalent)
Baum und Pferdgarten
Bonnetje – (CPHFW NewTalent)
Caro Editions
Fine Chaos
Forza Collective
Gestuz
Henrik Vibskov
Herskind
Holzweiler – (Homecoming Slot)
MKDT Studio
Nazzal Studio
Nicklas Skovgaard – (CPHFW NewTalent Alumni)
O. Files
OperaSport
Paolina Russo
Ranra
Rave Review
Skall Studio
Sson – (One To Watch)
Stem – (CPHFW NewTalent)
Studio Constance – (One To Watch)
Sunflower
Taus – (One To Watch)
The Garment
