Five Scandinavian Fashion Brands You Have to Know
- Jack Parrott
- Nov 12, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 13, 2018
Depending on your preferences, when you hear the term "Scandinavian Fashion" you may think of luxury brands such as Acne Studios and Henrik Vibskov, or fast fashion giants H&M and COS. This is the beauty of Scandinavian fashion, as over the years it has had an incredible influence throughout the entire spectrum of fashion. This article will highlight some of the most important and influential Scandinavian fashion brands that one must know to have a grasp on the fashion scene in Scandinavia. Included in the descriptions of each brand, is a price scale ($-$$$$$), and the location of their flagship store.
5. Han Kjobenhavn
Price $$
Han Kjobenhavn was formed in 2008, by Jannik Wikkelsø in Copenhagen, Denmark. The label began solely producing eyewear, then created clothing for men, and they have recently added a ready-to-wear line for women. Han Kjobenhavn is defined by a very utilitarian, workwear inspired aesthetic. Han Kjobenhavn's clothing conveys a dark, brooding sensation, a sensation that is reflected by the underground art and music scene that Copenhagen youths have pioneered. Han Kjobenhavn is a special brand, as it is so connected with Copenhagen's culture, consequently it is a brand that could not have existed in any other city other than the Danish capitol.
4. HOPE STHLM
Price $$$
Founded in 2001, the Swedish label, HOPE, prides itself on creating clothing that defies both fashion and gender norms. They grew to prominence as womenswear label that created garments inspired by classic menswear tropes such as tailoring and workwear. However, now they have expanded into a label with full womenswear and menswear lines, but many pieces in each respective category are interchangeable, with many HOPE garments being tagged with both men's and women's sizing. HOPE staples include oversized trousers and shirts, adorned with earth tones or a subtle print. HOPE serves as an accessible entry point for androgynous fashion, meaning that it is a great label for those willing to make the first steps out of their fashion comfort zone and into the world of non-binary fashion.
3. CMMN SWDN
Price $$$
CMMN SWDN is a relatively young menswear label, founded in 2012 and based out of Mälmo, Sweden. CMMN SWDN is designed by Saif Bakir and Emma Hedlund, an incredibly experienced duo that has had designed for major labels and celebrities such as Kanye West. CMMN SWDN is an interesting brand, as they break the mold of traditional Scandinavian fashion. CMMN SWDN uses a palate full of bright colors, and eye catching prints paired with unique cuts and proportions. For their most recent collection, CMMN SWDN reimagined the traditional ski jacket, by using an oversized cut, patterned panels and neon accents. CMMN SWDN has grown significantly since their inception; they now have evolved from a showing their collections through the medium of a lookbook to showing their collections during Paris Fashion Week.
CMMN SWDN does not have a physical store front, therefore the map shows one of their largest stockists; Tres Bien, a retail location based out of Mälmo, Sweden.
2. Henrik Vibskov
Price $$$
Henrik Vibskov began creating menswear collections after he graduated from Central St. Martins in 2001. He is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best current Danish fashion designer (winning the Danish Thorvald Bindesbøll Medal in 2016). Vibskov is a famously multifaceted artist, as fashion design is not his only creative outlet, as he is also a professional drummer, University professor and author. Vibskov's clothes are heavily influenced by interests in folk music and his upbringing in rural Denmark, thus he has mastered the cotton summer dress and his vision of knitwear resonates deeply with a broad audience. He generally produces overtly peaceful collections that exude a sense of physical and emotional comfort.
1. Acne Studios
Price $$$$
This should come as no surprise. Acne Studios, (Acne serving as an acronym for Ambition to Create Novel Expression) quite honestly plays in a different league than every other Scandinavian fashion label. Since its inception in 1996, Acne has served as the Scandinavian voice at the table of global fashion. Acne Studios was created by Swedish designer Jonny Johannson. The brand started off with the goal of producing the perfect pair of jeans. Perfection is a difficult pedestal to reach, and if Acne Studios didn't reach this pedestal, they got very close. Within one year after the inception of the brand, they became world renowned within the fashion industry. In the early 2000's, under the brand management of Mikael Schiller, Acne Studios morphed into a full-fledged ready-to-wear fashion brand. Throughout the past two decades, the label has continued to grow, becoming one of the largest independent labels in the world. Acne's clothing has been defined by a sense of inclusivity, as Johannson has focused his design on an aesthetic inspired by his Swedish upbringing, thus creating products that are easy and fun to wear. Many of Acne's products have a whimsical, carefree look to them, this look defined by their now iconic "face" logo. Acne has recently gone back to their roots, and have released a unisex clothing line to further demonstrate their inclusive attitude towards clothing. Acne Studios shows no signs of stopping their growth, as their runway shows continues to be one of the best attended shows in Paris, and they currently have 57 brick and mortar locations worldwide.
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