openhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 (SS26) has just wrapped up (August 4–8, 2025), leaving behind a trail of memorable runway moments and innovative designs. Over the course of five days, the Danish capital showcased 44 shows and presentations, a notably packed schedule that reflects the event’s growing international stature. With CPHFW nearing its 20th anniversary, it’s clear that this once-understated “fifth fashion capital” is levelling up – attracting more brands from across the Nordics and beyond, along with a swelling guest list of global press and buyers. The result was a fashion week brimming with energy, sustainability-minded innovation, and an atmosphere both celebratory and sophisticated.

Standout Runway Highlights

If one theme united the SS26 runways, it was creative expression that balanced Nordic pragmatism with celebratory flair. The week kicked off poolside with OpéraSPORT’s much-anticipated opening show. Staged at Frederiksberg’s historic swimming baths, the presentation embraced a breezy resort vibe – models glided along the water’s edge in icy blues, off-whites, sage greens and butter yellows. Tropical hibiscus motifs splashed across draped dresses and swimwear, and in a playful nod to summer leisure, the brand unveiled a 3D-printed flip-flop created in collaboration with Brazil’s cult sandal maker Havaianas. This laid-back yet inventive opener set the tone for a week where bold accessories and relaxed styling took center stage: OpéraSPORT’s models accessorized with sequined scarves, sporty wraparound sunglasses, and sculptural bags, underscoring Copenhagen’s knack for blending functionality with fun.

Models at OpéraSPORT’s poolside show channeled a modern resort mood with hibiscus prints, swimwear, and even 3D-printed flip-flop sandals.

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As the schedule progressed, each day delivered its own headline moments. Danish label Forza Collective turned heads by reimagining classic tailoring: they sent out models in deconstructed suiting where neckties were playfully re-purposed – knotted over sheer blouses or even worn on bare skin, as decorative elements rather than boardroom staples. The effect was a chic gender-fluid twist that paired soft draping fabrics with menswear-inspired details, demonstrating how Copenhagen’s designers effortlessly blur traditional lines. Another standout was Caro Editions, part of the CPHFW NewTalent roster, which delivered pure joy despite a grey, drizzly day. The design duo behind Caro Editions brought maximalist romance to the runway: think silk and lace concoctions in bright colors and polka dots, styled with vintage handbags adorned by whimsical bows and even customized Crocs with sheer frilly socks. In fact, the entire show was staged as a wedding celebration – a recreation of the co-founders’ own nuptials – complete with the designer handing out sparkling wine to front-row guests and the peal of wedding bells as a post-show flourish. This irreverent “bridal” theme was surprisingly on-trend: elsewhere, Rotate devoted part of its collection to dance-floor-ready wedding-night party dresses, and Cecilie Bahnsen’s anniversary collection was presented entirely in bridal white.

Other homegrown brands put distinctive Danish signatures on their collections. Skall Studio, known for its commitment to sustainable fashion, presented a lineup of wearable wardrobe essentials in calming neutral tones. This season Skall introduced footwear for the first time – notably shoes crafted from innovative materials like Sicilian orange peels and cactus fibers, underscoring the brand’s earth-friendly ethos. Their loose tailoring, flowing dresses, and textured separates exemplified the Copenhagen “effortless yet thoughtful” aesthetic: clothes that eschew flashiness but remain quietly luxurious in quality and design. At stalwart label Baum und Pferdgarten, the designers struck a savvy balance between utility and femininity. Models donned trench coats, cargo shorts and crisp two-piece suits, but these functional pieces were enlivened with witty styling touches – silk scarves tied at unexpected angles around waists or over hair, skirts trimmed with tinsel-like fringe, and sandals finished with woven raffia detailing. This mix of pragmatic cuts and playful embellishments felt very Copenhagen: an acknowledgement that fashion can be both sensible and celebratory at once.

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Copenhagen’s reputation for innovative show concepts reached new heights at SS26. Designers seemed to compete not just on clothing, but on delivering an experience to remember. The Garment, for instance, secured the storied Royal Stables at Christiansborg Palace for its outdoor show – a venue that required permission from government ministers and even the Supreme Court to use. Curious members of the public peered through the stable arches as models paraded beneath, lending the affair a sense of civic spectacle as well as exclusivity. In another feat of site-specific drama, newcomer Martin Quad chose a dystopian concrete water tower for his debut, providing a stark backdrop to his dark, deconstructed tailoring. Over at Nicklas Skovgaard’s presentation, the concept was both intimate and avant-garde: guests found models lying on beds scattered around the venue, as if in a dreamy slumber party, before they rose to showcase the collection. This unconventional format earned Skovgaard some of the loudest cheers of the week, proving his buzzed-about status among local fashion editors.

Even nature played a role. Finnish designer Rolf Ekroth whisked attendees into a woodland setting at golden hour, where sunlight filtering through the trees enhanced the mystical mood of his outdoor runway. And back in the city, OpéraSPORT’s aforementioned poolside show at Frederiksberg Badene got a dynamic opener when a professional diver leapt dramatically into the pool to start the proceedings – a literal splash that epitomized the week’s knack for blending fashion with performative surprise. All these ambitious stagings underscore how CPHFW has evolved into a platform for creativity beyond the clothes themselves, with designers carefully curating music, setting, and even food to complement their collections. Indeed, off the catwalk, brands found other sensory ways to engage the fashion crowd: womenswear favorite Stine Goya skipped a traditional runway in favor of hosting an artistic dinner with hand-painted plates and Michelin-starred cuisine, while cult home goods label Tekla treated early-morning attendees to a serene breakfast buffet laden with perfectly arranged fruits and Danish pastries. Such events blurred the line between fashion presentation and lifestyle marketing, reflecting a broader trend where Copenhagen has become a hub for holistic brand experiences.

Trends and Themes for SS26

Amid the inventive showcases, distinct style trends emerged on the SS26 runways. With many Scandinavian designers having enjoyed summer holidays just before the shows, a relaxed resort influence permeated the collections. Flip-flop sandals were ubiquitous in various iterations – from the Havaianas x OpéraSPORT 3D-printed versions to beaded and raffia-trimmed flip-flops spotted at labels like Cmmn Swdn and streetwear brand Alis. Flowy silhouettes and breezy separates abounded, suggesting that many Copenhagen brands use the spring/summer platform to deliver what they might otherwise present as a “Resort” collection. There was also no shortage of fringe and artisanal texture: designers like MKDT Studio and IAMISIGO wove in relaxed fringed trims and raffia elements, adding movement and craftwork to their garments. Sheer fabrics made a strong showing too – from Rave Review’s upcycled transparent dresses revealing swimsuits beneath, to the delicate translucent layers in Cecilie Bahnsen’s all-white ensembles. These airy, see-through looks added a note of romance and modernity, while reaffirming the city’s ongoing love affair with lightweight, feminine design.

Of course, Copenhagen’s penchant for minimalist tailoring and muted palettes hasn’t disappeared – but even here, designers introduced twists. Many collections featured classic blazers, trousers, and shirting in subdued beige, cream, and greige tones, reflecting the city’s renowned “clean” aesthetic. Yet within those neutral frameworks were inventive cuts and details: asymmetric draping, deconstructed seams, and modular layers that gave the clothes a quietly avant-garde edge. Buyers noted that these subtle subversions of the “quiet luxury” look – whether through an unexpected panel, a fringe trim, or an artful layering – catered to consumers seeking something fresh and distinctive, even in their everyday wear. In essence, CPHFW SS26 struck a balance between wearable and inspirational. As Nordstrom fashion director Linda Zhang observed, the week offered plenty of pieces that real people can integrate into wardrobes, without sacrificing the creative spark that makes fashion weeks exciting.

An Elevated Nordic Showcase

All told, Copenhagen Fashion Week SS26 proved to be an exuberant yet thoughtful showcase of what Nordic fashion does best. It celebrated its rising stars and welcomed back veteran visionaries in equal measure, all while foregrounding sustainability and craftsmanship in a way that felt authentic to the region. The atmosphere throughout was one of celebration. Of designers’ personal milestones, of community (the fashion crowd sipping champagne on boats after Caro Editions’s “wedding” show, for instance), and of the city itself as an increasingly important fashion destination. At the same time, an analytical eye could discern how these runway offerings fit into larger narratives: the push for responsible fashion, the blending of lifestyle and style, and Copenhagen’s own evolution from a cool local week to a must-see stop on the international fashion calendar. As the dust settles on SS26, one thing is clear: the Danish capital has delivered a rich tapestry of fashion – one that was forward-looking and innovative yet deeply rooted in the joy and ingenuity that define Copenhagen’s unique sartorial identity.