Copenhagen Fashion Week kicked off the Spring/Summer 2018 season with 3 days of presentations and runway shows that suggest it is going to be a fun season.  Prints and color dominated across the collections, a departure from the minimalist aesthetic one normally associates with Scandinavian design.  The prints were simpler – soft florals, stripes and clean checks.  Color palettes leaned towards delicious pastels, but there were some brights too.  The effect was youthful and energetic, fitting for that iconic image of the Copenhagen girl who jumps on her bike and rides to work with a wide smile.

Welcome to Copenhagen Fashion Week

If designers here have one point of difference it is their focus on comfort and effortless style.  Silhouettes were generous and easy from the giant pants at Astrid Andersen and Ganni to the pajama shapes at Henrik Vibskov.  The light gowns and one-shoulder dresses at Holzweiler promised easy chic.  A simple black and white SP logo dress from Saks Potts could easily be the most important basic in any girl’s closet for the season.  Even the more structural shapes at Cecilie Bahnsen somehow seemed unfussy.

There were a wide range of solid options for girls who like to show their softer side.  The prints and color choices certainly added to the feminine appeal of these clothes. But ruffles, (Baum and Pferdgarten and  Ganni) collar bows (Saks and Potts) and baby doll looks (Cecilie Bahnsen) added to the ladylike vocabulary.  The girlish appeal carried through in the school uniforms on display at Cecilie Bahnsen and Baum and Pferdgarten.  Malene Birger presented a more grown up, polished approach in a tailored knit dress, a white double breasted pant suit and a super chic fox vest that was belted and shown as a dress.  Even the military-inspired sportswear at Halo had a gentler edge.

We’ve got to give a special shout out to Saks Potts.  The design duo of Barbara Potts and Catherine Saks is known for their statement coats and for Spring 2018 they didn’t disappoint.    A white trench with mint green fox trim was sublime.  The bubble gum pink and white striped fox coat just made you want to smile.  And the intarsia mink coat that closed their show displayed their deft hand at fur craftsmanship.

Though New York Fashion Week is still a few weeks away, we’re already feeling the spring fever.  As they say, “Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen..”.