What People Wear in One of the Happiest Places on Earth

Not every fashion week can be characterized as friendly, approachable and relaxing. But those are three ways to describe Copenhagen Fashion Week, a twice-yearly event in the capital of Denmark, a country that is often ranked among the happiest in the world.

Even though Copenhagen Fashion Week has continued to grow since it began nearly 20 years ago, it doesn’t draw the same crowds that flock to shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

While other fashion weeks have become extravagant spectacles in which as much attention is paid to who sits in the front row as to what’s on the runway, Copenhagen has managed to avoid some of the egos and excess that can come with its more established competitors. (Helping to reduce the excess are the sustainability requirements that Copenhagen show organizers require participating brands to meet.)

Last week, at the latest edition of Copenhagen Fashion Week, the welcoming nature of the event was reflected in the crowds and on the runways, both filled with people of all sizes and backgrounds. The clothes were equally diverse.

Brands with notable collections included Remain, which experimented with knit fabrics and sleek silhouettes, and Henrik Vibskov, who embraced frenetic patterns in vivid prints.

On the streets, white and neutral-toned clothing—the kind associated with Scandinavian minimalist aesthetics (and summer)—was contrasted with ensembles incorporating vibrant colors. There were also plenty of loose layers and plenty of flowing garments, which looked even better on people pedaling through the bike-friendly city.