Zebra stripes, polka dots: The youthful spirit of Copenhagen Fashion Week

A unique outfit during Copenhagen Fashion Week in Denmark. Photo: The New York Times

If avowed efforts toward sustainability are one thing that separates Copenhagen Fashion Week from its counterparts in New York, London, Milan and Paris, another is its youthful spirit.

Because the so-called fifth fashion week is less institutionalised than others, it generally draws a younger and more diverse group of people who enthusiastically telegraph their idealism, excitement and cultural identity through clothes.

On the streets, this often means that instead of one trend emerging as a headliner – whether it’s zebra stripes, polka dots or floral prints – everything can.

The runways at the latest Copenhagen Fashion Week were similarly dynamic.

Read more: Leather jackets, flared pants: The rockin' street style of Paris Fashion Week

Cecilie Bahnsen’s show featured models parading outside in white dresses of various shapes and sizes as smoke bombs burned ominously in the distance.

Marimekko’s collection of striped and patterned attire was also presented outdoors, on a paved runway peppered with small skate ramps, and styled with Adidas Tokyo sneakers.

And Sunflower, a Danish menswear brand, revved up its show by having models share the runway with a souped-up sports car, which made the affair feel more like a drag race.

Compared with the tent-pole fashion weeks, Copenhagen’s seems to be able to do a lot with a lot less. But it does not feel like a lot less, which is kind of the trick to nailing sustainability. – ©2025 The New York Times Company

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.