The trade shows in Las Vegas were all that much more painful coming off of my recent trip to CIFF in Copenhagen where fashion trade shows are done right. Even comparing the experience in Copenhagen to that of Vegas is basically a crime in and of itself. It hasn’t taken me many visits to Scandinavia to truly recognize it as one of my favorite parts of the world. Copenhagen itself is wonderful in so many ways: the food, the people (nice and all good looking), the laid back vibe of the country, the unmatched ability to speak English (sorry world, us Muricans value that because we are inherently selfish and terrible), the active lifestyle and lastly the efficiency that can be found everywhere. Add in a bunch of international brands with good clothes and the recipe is perfect.
My first trip to Copenhagen was last August and I was shocked by how much I loved the place. Going back this year, I had high expectations for the city and also for CIFF, which is in the process of re-imagining it’s place in the world. I wasn’t disappointed by either. CIFF has done a great job of collecting a bunch of interesting brands Scandinavia and also other parts of the world to add energy to the market. There was a great core group of brands exhibiting, labels like Ami, Christopher Raeburn and Stutterheim to name a few, all of which were presented in the airy confines of the Bella Center.
Below are some of the good things I saw at the show. Having spent the last week running between the splintered hodgepodge of shows in Vegas, I can’t help but to think about what a good thing they have going in Copenhagen. If you can’t ever go just to work a trade show like I did, go for the fun of it. Odds are you won’t be disappointed.
These colorful and classic raincoats from the Swedish brand Stutterheim are highly appreciated by me.
Also there in full force was Ami. I met these guys through Mr Porter this past spring and it was cool to see the new collection close up.
Lastly, and a bit randomly, I spotted these crazy print Sperry Top-Siders. why doesn’t the Striper not get more love?
I agree with you Coopenhangen is quite a place. Also you have to love the labels. REMADE IN ENGLAND is such a great and descriptive concept. And I only wish I knew what to say about Swedish Melancholy at it’s driest. I guess brilliant will have to do for now. Thanks.
Can I get this in australia?
I went to Jacket Required in London recently for the first time, I enjoyed it immensely. Mostly down to chatting to people about their brands, catching up with familiar faces. This, however, feels much more considered and elegant/gentle in some way. Hard to describe but maybe it’s down to the sheer amount of brands showing at JR, it’s hard to breathe.
Stutterheim were showing at JR, so good.
ACF ( Art Comes First ) YES…!
Classic meets chic! I love it. I hope you had fun.
Awesome, sounds like a blast. Wish we could have been there… It’s on the list. Thanks Michael!
Copenhagen is a fantastic city. I work there a few weeks each year in the city center and love it.
The population as a whole feels so much more fashion forward than NYC, in a good way. The men look great the women look great, interior and furniture design is not only taken to another level but seemly embraced much more wholeheartedly by all.
It has quickly become my favorite western European city. Hotels are great, food is great, people are really friendly, and most shops take US dollars if you run out of Kroners – because you can spend a ton of cash here.