Copenhagen Fashion Week Podcast

V&A Talk Program: The Face of Fashion: Model Representation and Diversity in the Work Force

Exploring the urgency of inclusive representation in order to positively shape the future of fashion.

This talk delves into how diverse representation on and off the runway is a vital shift needed towards an inclusive and equitable industry. From casting to leadership, this talk will explore the importance of challenging barriers and creating inclusive spaces.

Moderator:

Veronica D'Souza, Founder & Advisor, Geist Agency

Veronica D'Souza is a trailblazing social entrepreneur and global advisor known for building ventures that challenge inequality through business, design, and storytelling. She co-foundedR uby Cup, which has provided sustainable menstrual health solutions to over 150,000 girls in East Africa, and CARCEL, a fashion label employing incarcerated women in Peru and Thailand to create garments from natural materials. With over 15years of experience across five continents, she brings radical imagination and systems thinking to organizations navigating sustainability, inclusion, and impact. Veronica is the founder of GEIST Agency and serves on the board of The Danish Design Council and The Soulfuls, as well as on the juries of the INDEXAward—the world’s leading prize for design to improve life—and Ars Electronica, a global platform for art, technology, and society. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, Forbes, and The Guardian, and she is recognized as an EY Social Entrepreneur of the Year, a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, and a Humanity in Action Senior Fellow.

Panelists:

Daniel Peters, Founder & Managing Director at The Minority Report Group

Launched in July 2020 by brand and marketing specialist, Daniel Peters, the Minority Report Group exists to create inclusive workplace culture for diverse voices, by advancing the conversation around equity and inclusion to a point of measurable change. He has previously held roles at Burberry, the British Fashion Council, Selfridges, Dazed Media and Huawei, but also launched and ran a successful menswear popup retail business, BOBShop, which sold a curated edit of British menswear brands and lifestyle goods.

Aram Ostadian Binai, Founder, Social Entrepreneur, Talent Strategist, Creative Inclusion Advocate at The Soulfuls

Founder & CEO of The Soulfuls, an award-winning platform empowering the next generation of diverse female talent. Social entrepreneur and consultant working at the intersection of inclusion, leadership, and creative industries. Leads programs in mentoring, talent development, and cross-cultural collaboration. Recognised as ELLE Denmark’s Voice of the Year and board member of the Danish Fashion Ethical Charter. Holds an MA from London College of Fashion and executive training from Harvard Business School.

Ceval Omar, Model and Activist

Ceval is a trailblazing model and activist based in Paris, recognized as one of the first Black trans models to collaborate with hi-end brands such as YSL Beauty and British Vogue. Passionate about human rights, she advocates for greater diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry.

V&A Talk Program: Future Education: Embodying Positive Culture and Environmental Impact

This session explores how education and innovation can amplify the role of fashion in shaping a more responsible and inclusive future.

This session explores how education and innovation can amplify the role of fashion in shaping a more responsible and inclusive future. By weaving sustainability, cultural understanding, and social consciousness into the fabric of fashion education, we can equip the next generation with the knowledge and values needed to drive meaningful change.

Moderator:

Dal Chodha, Editor

London-based writer and consultant Dal Chodha is Editor-in-chief ofArchivist Addendum – a publishing project that explores the gap between fashion editorial and academe. He is aContributing Editor atWallpaper*and PathwayLeader of the BA Fashion Communication: Image& Promotion course at Central Saint Martins. This book was first released in 2020 and a second,You gotta keep your head straight about clothes, was published by Tender books in 2023.

Panelists:

Fabio Piras, MA Fashion Course Leader, Central Saint Martins

Italian-born Fabio studied Fashion Design at Central Saint Martins. He launched his label at London Fashion Week (1994–2001) and built a successful career in creative direction and consultancy across Europe and Asia. In 2014, Fabio became Course Director of CSM’s MA Fashion.

Else Skjold, Associate Professor, Ph.d. in design and sustainability, The Royal Danish Academy, Institute of Design, Products & Materials

Else Skjold is founder of the MA Fashion, Clothing & Textiles; New Landscapes for Change and Head of Klothing – Center forApparel, Textiles & Ecology Research at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen. She is also work stream leader for textiles in the national Danish partnership for circular economy of plastics and textiles, TRACE (trace.dk). In her research, she is typically focusing on ways that textile knowledge - and heritage might inform and stimulate sustainability work.

Orsola de Castro, Creative Director, Activist, Author, Estethica

Orsola de Castro is an opinion leader in sustainable fashion, a mentor, curator and author. Her award winning brand From Somewhere (1997-2014) was pioneering in the field of upcycling and sold in some of the world’s best boutiques - collaborations include collections for Topshop and Speedo. In 2006 she started Estethica, the highly acclaimed Sustainable Fashion Showcase at London Fashion Week, and in 2013 she co-founded Fashion Revolution, now the world’s largest fashion activism movement, with teams in over 80 countries. Her first book, Loved Clothes Last was published by Penguin life in 2021 and translated into Italian (Corbaccio Editori) French (Edition Marabou) and German (Doerlemann Verlag).

Zowie Broach, Head of Programme, Royal College of Art

Zowie Broach as an educator, has radically changed the paradigm of what it means today, to consider how we might design, act and think about Fashion. Zowie previously co-founded the label Boudicca, who were the first independent British Label to show during Couture Paris, as well as exhibiting at Chicago Arts Institute and theTel Aviv Museum; whilst Boudicca was also recently part of the Design Museum in London 'REBEL: 30 years of London Fashion ". Their Invisible City collection AW04 is part of the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Today, Zowie is a principle-investigator about whether machine intelligence can support and relate to the manual intelligence of Haute Couture which relates deeply to the consultation she was part of for Cartier. Zowie supports a new disruption to the industry from graduates across high luxury to research, questioning and impacting a fashion future. Her relation to protest at the end of the century now finds a return to similar areas where research looks to connecting worlds crossing the digital territories and the planet Earth we call home. Zowie Broach has been voted into the top 500 Fashion Leaders, Business of FASHION for the last 8 years. Zowie Broach is the recipient of the prestigious 2024 Sir Mischa Black award for Innovation in Design Education. This is the first time honouring fashion education in its history.

V&A Talk Program: Supporting and Empowering the Next Generation of Creative Talent

A discussion on the importance of supporting the next generation of talent by building new systems to cultivate success.

The future of fashion is shaped by emerging talent, yet the path to success in an increasingly competitive industry can feel daunting. This session explores the essential nature of support systems, mentorships, and resources required to empower the next wave of designers, artists, and innovators, while also create equitable opportunities that allow fresh voices to flourish, while contributing to a dynamic fashion ecosystem.

Moderator:

Mahoro Seward, Acting Fashion Features Editor, British Vogue

Mahoro Seward is a London-based writer and editor, working between fine art, fashion and pop culture. They are currently acting fashion features editor at BritishVogue, previously holding the same title at i-D, and have contributed to titles including Wallpaper*, ArtBasel, Frieze, Crosscurrent and Vogue Business.

Panelists:

Sarah Mower, Fashion Journalist & Critic

Sarah Mower MBE is a fashion journalist and critic for US Vogue and an advocate for young designers. She is the British Fashion Council's Ambassador for Emerging Talent and Chair of the NEWGEN committee, the scheme responsible for the rise of a constellation of design stars who show in London Fashion Week, including Christopher Kane, Mary Katrantzou, JW Anderson, Jonathan Saunders, Roksanda Ilincic, Nicholas Kirkwood, Peter Pilotto and Simone Rocha.

Nicklas Skovgaard, Founder & Designer, Nicklas Skovgaard

Nicklas Skovgaard is a womenswear brand, with a strong elocution intending to delight through unexpected parallels. Founded in 2020, the Copenhagen-based brand aims to explore the relationship textiles can hold in expressing narrative through the marriage of unexpected material and classical form. Constructing two collections a year, each body of work for Nicklas Skovgaard builds upon the last, acting with an evolutionary purpose and building an ever-evolving vocabulary. Orchestrating these classical and strange symphonies within his eponymous textiles and recognizable design, Nicklas Skovgaard is a brand cultivated on the edge of romanticism and realism.

Caroline Issa, CEO and Fashion Director, Tank Magazine

Originally a retail and consumer goods consultant with an undergraduate business degree from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, she joined TANK Magazine in2002 and has since become CEO and fashion director ofLondon-based quarterly title TANK and editor ofBecauseLondon.com.She is the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees at Artangel and is a Non-Executive Director of the BritishFashion Council, both not-for-profit organisations committed to championing and developing excellence in the art and fashion worlds respectively.

Tolu Coker, Fashion Designer and Multidisciplinary Artist

Tolu Coker is a British-Nigerian fashion designer and multidisciplinary artist known for her storytelling through sustainable design. A Central Saint Martins graduate, she launched her eponymous label in 2021 after working with brands like Maison Margiela and Celine. Her work fuses Yoruba heritage with contemporary tailoring, often exploring identity, culture, and community. Celebrated for her innovative approach, Coker is a finalist for the 2025 LVMH Prize.

V&A Talk Program: Accelerating Positive Change through Collaborations in the Creative Landscape

How can the cross-pollination of creative industries and leading organisations challenge the status quo, accelerate sustainability efforts, and build new business models to promote change?

This talk explores the power of collaboration between leading fashion organizations and sustainable innovators, and how these collaborations can accelerate positive change. Through the cross-pollination of resources and expertise, fashion is embracing new business models and focus areas that challenge the status quo, influence and provoke consumer habits, and demand legislative change.

Moderator:

Emily Chan, Senior Sustainability Editor & Acting Executive Fashion News and Features Editor, British Vogue

Emily Chan is the Senior Sustainability & FeaturesEditor at British Vogue and covers all things related to sustainability in fashion and beyond, from the designers pushing for change to the climate activists we should be paying attention to.

Panelists:

Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO, Copenhagen Fashion Week

Following Thorsmark’s appointment as CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week in 2018 came her announcement to transition the event into a pioneering industry platform and organisation with the capacity to further the industry’s sustainability potential. In January 2020, Thorsmark launched the ambitious three-year action plan “Reinventing Copenhagen Fashion Week” presenting an innovative system of minimum sustainability requirements for all brands on the official show schedule. The system successfully came into effect in 2023, making Copenhagen Fashion Week the first and only fashion week worldwide to introduce a mandatory set of sustainability requirements. In 2022, Thorsmark was inaugurated into The BoF 500, the definitive professional index of the people shaping the $2.4 trillion fashion industry. Prior to joining Copenhagen Fashion Week, Thorsmark held the position of Global Fashion Agenda’s Communication Director for two years, following a six-year tenure at the Danish Fashion Institute.

Yvie Hutton, Director of Membership & Designer Relations, British Fashion Council

Yvie is currently Director of Membership & Designer Relations at the British Fashion Council, responsible for the Membership programme, curation of London Fashion Week and supporting designers through initiatives funded by the BFC Foundation; New Gen, Fashion Trust, Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, and theGQ Designer Fashion Fund. Prior to this she ran her consultancy which included working for the world-renowned award-winning session stylist Sam McKnight on brand, distribution, and product devolvement. Launching ranges in 10 countries and winning 6 awards all in the first year of trading. Before that she spent 11 years as Managing Director of Jonathan Saunders, a luxury fashion brand where she was responsible for growth strategy and partnerships.Showing in both London and NewYork fashion weeks, winning many accolades including theVogue Designer Fashion Fund in 2012.

Omoyemi Akerele, Founder & CEO, Lagos Fashion Week & Style House Files

Omoyemi Akerele is the founder and CEO of Lagos Fashion Week and Style House Files, playing a pivotal role in shaping the African fashion industry for over two decades. Her work focuses on strengthening the textile and apparel ecosystem by creating opportunities for brands, businesses, and communities to grow sustainably. Through Lagos Fashion Week, she has built more than just a platform for showcasing talent; she has driven industry wide advocacy, created capacity-building programs, and facilitated access to new markets. Initiatives like SHF Trains, Woven Threads, and Green Access support emerging talent, promote sustainability, and foster innovation across the value chain. A strong advocate for sustainability and the circular economy, she works to embed responsible business practices into fashion’s future, championing solutions that prioritise environmental stewardship, ethical production, and economic inclusion.

AW25 CPHFW Talk Series – Past, Present and Future: The Preservation & Modernization of Craft

Finding the intersection of heritage and innovation in this discussion on the art and importance of craft in today's age.

Craft lies at the heart of fashion’s identity, embodying both cultural heritage and modern artistry. Join this dialogue on the evolution of craft and its relevance in contemporary design and the evolving fashion industry. Panelists will discuss preserving traditional techniques, while integrating new technologies and sustainable practices. Discover how craft remains vital in telling stories, fostering local communities and social economies, and adapting to a changing industry. This talk aims to find a deeper appreciation of fashion as both an art and tool for innovative change.

Moderator:

Veronica D'Souza, Sustainability Leadership & Social Entrepreneur

Veronica D’Souza is an award-winning entrepreneur and visionary leader redefining business through equity, sustainability, and transformative design. As the founder of CARCEL, she pioneered a groundbreaking fashion model by employing women in prison to craft garments from 100% natural materials, blending social justice with exceptional design. With 15 years of global experience across industries and regions, she champions authenticity, inclusion, and systemic change. Veronica’s work inspires a bold and regenerative future for fashion and business.

Panelists:

Arnar Már Jónsson & Luke Stevens, Founders, Ranra

Ranra explores the art of garment making to craft menswear that blends cultural history, ecological consideration, and technical innovation. Learning from and responding to nature, Ranra utilizes natural fibers and dying, and heritage textile techniques to refine the modern wardrobe. Ranra was founded by Arnar Már Jónsson and Luke Stevens, both graduates of the Royal College of Art’s prestigious Menswear program. Through encyclopedic knowledge of the histories of textile manufacture, sportswear and military workwear, alongside unparalleled experience consulting for and collaborating with brands, they have developed a timeless, pragmatic, and original approach to menswear unlike anyone else.

Cengiz Güdücü, Multidisciplinary Artist & Designer

Designer and Multi-artist Cengiz Güdücü established his namesake brand from a basement in Copenhagen in 2022, after graduating from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Art, School of Design in 2021. Born and raised in the Sydhavn neighborhood of Copenhagen, Designer and Multi-Artist Cengiz Güdücü draws inspiration from his adolescent surroundings and his Kurdish heritage.

Else Skjold, Associate Professor, PhD in Design & Sustainability, Royal Danish Academy

Else Skjold is the head of Klothing – Centre for Apparel, Textiles and Ecology Research and founder of the MA program Fashion, Clothing & Textiles – New Landscapes for Change, at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen. She is also workstream leader for textiles in the Danish national mission-based partnership for circular economy of plastics and textiles, TRACE (trace.dk).

Freya Dalsjø, Designer

Freya studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp before establishing her namesake label in 2012. Freya has received generous recognition fx. the 3-year grant given by the Danish Arts Foundation and "påskønnelseslegatet" by the Danish National Bank.

Serena Coelho, Fashion Designer, Artisan & Artist

Serena Coelho is a Brazilian fashion designer, artisan, and artist based in Denmark, whose work operates at the intersection of sustainability, craftsmanship, and technology. She began her journey in fashion through craftsmanship, immersing herself in tailoring and industrial construction practices that have transformed her design approach. By blending traditional artisanal techniques with advanced industrial and technological innovation - such as 3D printing, mechanic engineering, AR, and AI-assisted design- Serena redefines the possibilities of craftsmanship, preserving its cultural significance while adapting it to contemporary and innovative contexts. In recent years, the designer has shifted her focus beyond traditional product development to explore new ways of engaging audiences with fashion. Through exhibitions and multidisciplinary immersive experiences presented in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Lithuania, and other countries, she offers alternative approaches to fashion that emphasize creativity, inclusivity, and audience interaction. Her practice fosters multi-sensory, community-driven experiences, positioning fashion as a medium for meaningful cultural dialogue and shared connection. Serena’s work has earned her significant recognition, including a degree with honors from the Royal Danish Academy, the Design and Crafts New Talent grant awarded by the Danish Arts Foundation, and others.

AW25 CPHFW Talk Series – Expanding Horizons: Vital Change Needed in Fashion Inclusivity

Explore how inclusivity is reshaping the fashion industry on and off the runway for a more positively reflective future.

The fashion industry is undergoing a powerful transformation, with inclusivity driving change through design, diverse casting, and authentic storytelling. This talk explores the transformative power of representation, exploring how brands and creatives are breaking barriers to create a more authentic and equitable industry. Hear from panelists who are actively pushing for a future where fashion celebrates every identity, body, and culture. The conversation will look towards actionable steps toward a more inclusive and forward thinking fashion landscape.

Moderator:

Lucy Maguire, Senior Trends Editor, Vogue Business

Lucy Maguire is senior trends editor at Vogue Business. Alongside her focus on fashion consumer trends, digital strategies, and youth culture, Lucy leads the Vogue Business Next-Gen Edit, spotlighting emerging brands and startups across the fashion and beauty industries. She has previously worked with the Vogue Global Network, Suzy Menkes and British Vogue.

Panelists:

Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO, Copenhagen Fashion Week

Cecilie Thorsmark is the CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week. Following Thorsmark’s appointment in 2018 came her announcement to transition the event into a pioneering industry platform and organisation with the capacity to further the industry’s sustainability potential. In January 2020, Thorsmark launched the ambitious three-year action plan “Reinventing Copenhagen Fashion Week” presenting an innovative system of minimum sustainability requirements for all brands on the official show schedule. The system successfully came into effect in 2023, making Copenhagen Fashion Week the first and only fashion week worldwide to introduce a mandatory set of sustainability requirements. In 2022, Thorsmark was inaugurated into The BoF 500, the definitive professional index of the people shaping the $2.4 trillion fashion industry. Prior to joining Copenhagen Fashion Week, Thorsmark held the position of Global Fashion Agenda’s Communication Director for two years, following a six-year tenure at the Danish Fashion Institute.

Aida Sowe, Model & Founder, AISO Official

Aida Sowe began her modeling career in 2015 with a contract in London, which opened doors to opportunities in New York and across Europe. Witnessing the industry’s inner workings inspired her to join the Standard Charter Board in 2023, where she works to advocate for a safer and more inclusive environment for models in Denmark. In 2021, she ventured into entrepreneurship, launching AISO Official—a brand selling alternative bra solutions. Her vision for AISO is to create a truly diverse universe, not just in its campaigns but within the organization as well, fostering inclusivity at every level.

Emma Matell, Casting Director

Emma Matell is one of the industry's most astute, progressive young voices in casting. Hailing from Copenhagen, and based in London, her ethos is guided by a desire to afford visibility to bodies and identities that have historically been absent from prestigious fashion narratives. Ethically conscious and all-encompassing, Emma's work is a testament to her generation & social attitudes, and positions her as a key figure in the introduction of unexpected and radical perspectives on beauty to contemporary fashions visual discourse. Emma regularly collaborates with photographers of the caliber of Sharna Osborne, Harley Weir, John Yuyi & Casper Sejersen.

Mona Mohammed Ali, Founder & CEO, FIIRI agency

Mona Mohammed Ali is a Somali-Scandinavian entrepreneur with a degree in Fashion Design and Marketing from London. After a decade in the fashion industry, she returned to Scandinavia in 2019 to champion diversity and inclusivity. In 2020, she launched FIIRI Agency — the region’s first diverse modeling and inclusive creative agency, rooted in the need for greater racial representation and uplifting BIPOC talents both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Mona was also the first DEI Editor at Vogue Scandinavia, where she worked to create more representation within the Scandinavian fashion industry, redefining what diversity truly means.

AW25 CPHFW Talk Series – Empowering Visionaries: Supporting Fashion’s Next Gen Creatives

How can structural ecosystems be fostered to ensure emerging creatives not only survive, but also thrive?

The future of fashion lies in the hands of emerging talent, but how to ensure they succeed in an ever-competitive industry? This session explores the systems, mentorships, and resources needed to empower the next generation of designers, artists, and innovators. Industry leaders and up-and-coming creatives will discuss bridging gaps in access, fostering sustainable practices, and building resilient communities. Gain insights into creating equitable opportunities that enable fresh voices to thrive while contributing to a growing fashion ecosystem.

Moderator:

Kirsty McGregor, Executive European Editor, Vogue Business

Kirsty McGregor is Executive European Editor at Vogue Business, where she guides the content strategy with a focus on the sustainability and cultural trends that are impacting the fashion and beauty industries. She was previously Editor of UK-based fashion trade magazine Drapers, and has a background of social policy journalism.

Panelists:

Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO, Copenhagen Fashion Week

Cecilie Thorsmark is the CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week. Following Thorsmark’s appointment in 2018 came her announcement to transition the event into a pioneering industry platform and organisation with the capacity to further the industry’s sustainability potential. In January 2020, Thorsmark launched the ambitious three-year action plan “Reinventing Copenhagen Fashion Week” presenting an innovative system of minimum sustainability requirements for all brands on the official show schedule. The system successfully came into effect in 2023, making Copenhagen Fashion Week the first and only fashion week worldwide to introduce a mandatory set of sustainability requirements. In 2022, Thorsmark was inaugurated into The BoF 500, the definitive professional index of the people shaping the $2.4 trillion fashion industry. Prior to joining Copenhagen Fashion Week, Thorsmark held the position of Global Fashion Agenda’s Communication Director for two years, following a six-year tenure at the Danish Fashion Institute.

Denise Christensen, CEO, Birger Christensen Collective

Denise Christensen is the Chief Executive Officer for the renowned Copenhagen Fashion collective, Birger Christensen Collective. On joining BCC in 2017, Christensen transformed the heritage brand to the contemporary hub for new talent that it is today, collaborating with Jeanette Madsen and Thora Valdimars to create ROTATE in 2018, and subsequently starting the brand REMAIN as a counterpart in 2019. Christensen’s prolific career in Wholesale, Retail and General Management at some of Denmark’s leading Fashion and Luxury companies has informed her successful approach to commercial strategies and brand positioning, seeing the value in collaboration and celebrating new talent both within and outside of the Birger Christensen Collective family.

Hacinta Naidoo, Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Zalando

Hacinta Naidoo, a South African-born leader, is Head of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) at Zalando. Guiding the team responsible for the D&I strategy and governance, she is driving the pan-European company towards becoming a trailblazer in equity and inclusion. With a wealth of experience in organisational change and talent acquisition from her time at renowned companies like Ralph Lauren, Hacinta is deeply committed to fostering a workplace where diversity thrives, and everyone has a fair chance to succeed. Passionate about shaping the future, she believes that we hold the responsibility to ensure equitable opportunities for the next generation, setting the stage for lasting change.

Omoyemi Akerele, Founder and Executive Director, Lagos Fashion Week and Style House Files

Omoyemi Akerele is the Founder and Executive Director of Lagos Fashion Week and Style House Files, a pioneering fashion business development agency. With over two decades of experience, she has been instrumental in shaping the African fashion landscape and positioning it as a key player in the global creative economy.Through Lagos Fashion Week, Omoyemi provides a dynamic platform for discovering and showcasing African talent while fostering connections between designers, investors, and global markets. Her work with Style House Files focuses on driving sustainable growth within the textile and apparel sectors, advocating for circular fashion practices, and empowering creative businesses to thrive locally and internationally. Omoyemi collaborates with organizations like Prosper Africa and the United Nations’ SheTrades initiative to promote industrial garment production and capacity building for export and local markets. She is also a trusted voice on global advisory councils, including the Sustainable Markets Initiative (Africa Council), the State of Fashion (Netherlands), and the Mastercard Foundation (Nigeria). A recognized thought leader and member of the Business of Fashion Global 500 index since inception, Omoyemi is committed to transforming Africa’s fashion industry into a globally respected, environmentally responsible, and economically empowering force.

Sara Sozzani Maino, Creative Director, Fondazione Sozzani & International New Talent and Brands Ambassador, Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana

Sara Sozzani Maino is deeply committed to responsibility, education, and addressing social issues, particularly within the fashion industry and known for her work in nurturing and promoting emerging talent. Appointed International Brand Ambassador for the National Chamber of Italian Fashion. Since 2021 Sara Sozzani Maino plays an active role in the Fondazione Sozzani as its creative director.

AW25 CPHFW Talk Series – Inclusive Design: Challenges & Opportunities in Adaptive Fashion

A discussion on the expansion of adaptive wear in fashion, through insights, strategies, and leading solutions.

This talk will be a two part series, connecting the AW25 and SS26 edition, with part one exploring the challenges and avenues for change, and part two looking to case studies of brands leading in designing for positive impact and pioneers in this field.

 

Moderator:

Claudia Rose Walder, Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Able Zine

Claudia Rose is the founder and editor-in-chief of Able Zine, a publication and creative agency dedicated to increasing representation and opportunities for disabled and chronically ill creatives and communities. She works as a DEI consultant, writer and creative practitioner. Her passion for disability rights comes from lived experience. Claudia has been spotlighted for her activism by Vogue and the Dazed 100. She has worked with brands and organisations, including Nike, Adidas, The V&A Museum, Vogue, BBC, Zalando and the Centre for Conscious Design.

Panelists:

Jemma Garner, Team Lead Product D&I Strategy, Zalando

Jemma Garner is a British expert with over seven years at Zalando in Berlin, currently serving as Principal Business Developer for Diversity and Inclusion. With a strong background in buying, sourcing, and brand strategy, she has also worked at House of Fraser and Boux Avenue. Jemma combines her industry expertise with a passion for fostering inclusivity and driving meaningful business impact.

Victoria Hjulmand, Model

Victoria Hjulmand is an 18-year-old model with a deep passion for modeling and dancing. She has been modeling since she was 16, and has fallen in love with the industry. Alongside modeling, she has been dancing since she was two or three, and dance has always been a huge part of her life. Growing up, she learned to be independent at a very young age. Born with only half of her left arm, she’s never seen it as a disability—it’s simply a part of who she is. The world of dance and modeling has played a major role in shaping the confidence she has today, constantly striving to grow and inspire others through her work and passions.

Louise Linderoth, Adaptive Designer & Entrepreneur

Louise Linderoth is a Swedish fashion designer known for her inclusive approach to design, specifically creating garments for individuals who use wheelchairs. After sustaining a spinal cord injury at the age of 10, Linderoth’s personal experiences significantly influenced her work. One of the strongest driving forces for her creativity is seeing possibilities to influence representation and opening avenues to a more body-inclusive fashion world. Her brand, Lou Dehrot, focuses on stylish and functional clothing for people who sit for extended periods. Linderoth has received recognition for her innovative designs, including winning the Grand Prix Inclusive Design 2022. One of her notable collaborations includes working with Dr. Denim and Zalando to launch one of the world’s first jeans designed specifically for a seated position.

AW25 CPHFW Talk Series – Fashion Pathways: Exploring Creative Careers

Discover diverse career routes and new opportunities in fashion through this open discussion with a selection of figures that have taken non-traditional pathways in their career.

Dive into the expanding pool of fashion careers in this thought-provoking panel, featuring voices who’ve forged a unique path into the industry beyond conventional routes. This discussion reveals that there is no one way to succeed in the fashion industry. Learn how these panelists have navigated challenges, unexpected opportunities, and discovered their distinctive niches. This session will explore the limitless possibilities of a creative career in fashion.

Moderator:

Olya Kuryshchuk, Founder & Editor-In-Chief, 1 Granary

Olya Kuryshchuk is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of 1 Granary, a leading global fashion education platform and creative network. With a focus on fashion design, 1 Granary uses its print, digital content, events, recruitment and brand development program to drive positive change in the fashion industry and provide practical resources for the next generation of creative minds. Through the unique designer network built through 1 Granary, Olya is one of the industry’s leading experts in talent acquisition and development, scouting design talent and building holistic brand strategy, ranging from design and production to communication and marketing.

Panelists:

Akanksha Deo Sharma, Designer & Artist

Akanksha Deo Sharma is an Indian artist and multidisciplinary designer at IKEA, celebrated for her innovative approach to integrating craft and sustainability in design. Recognized in Forbes India’s 30 Under 30, Sharma combines her fashion design foundation with a deep commitment to working with craft communities, exploring the relationship between materials, heritage, and societal evolution. Her projects often incorporate new and waste materials, as seen in her FÖRÄNDRING initiative, which transforms rice straw into new renewable material. Featured in Wallpaper, Vogue, and Dezeen, she is also a TEDx speaker, One Young World ambassador, and mentor, advocating for design as a tool for social change. Dividing her time between Copenhagen, Malmö, and Delhi, Sharma continues to explore how design can address the changing needs of society.

Beth Esponnette, CPO, Co-Founder, and Chair of the board, unspun™

Meet Beth, the co-founder and chief product officer of unspun. Beth grew up in the backwoods of Maine, where her admiration for the natural world began. She witnessed the perfect, circular lifecycles of nature every day and aspired to recreate this balance in the human world. When she started in fashion out of college, she quickly felt that she was fueling an industry that was turning precious resources into trash. She wanted to invent a more sustainable and circular way to create fashion and believed that the industry needed a radical shift towards on-demand and additive manufacturing. While studying for her master's at Stanford University, Beth founded unspun and brought in a talented team of co-founders to build the future of fashion.

Faith Robinson, Head of Content, Global Fashion Agenda

After working internationally in the creative industries for a decade, Faith has developed a reputation for carefully mediating different approaches to sustainability in the context of the global fashion sector. Faith got started in research with London-based trends intelligence business Stylus before moving to Copenhagen in 2018 to work with Global Fashion Agenda. Alongside a fascinating breadth of cultural consultancy, she has a research interest in degrowth theory. Separately, Faith has worked on special projects as a business, non-profit, education and governmental advisor. Following an Art History BA, she is a Fellow at the Royal Society of Arts and a member within a number of sustainable fashion industry research networks, editorial boards and mentorship programmes. In 2024, Faith was listed as Sustainability Thought Leader in The Vogue Business 100 Innovators.

Naïma Chamberlayne, Head of Footwear & Accessories, Samsøe Samsøe

Naïma’s story is an interesting journey of cultural richness, career success, and a transition toward more sustainable and responsible practices in fashion. Her early years, split between Africa and Paris, shaped her unique perspective and connection to diverse cultures, influencing her aesthetic and approach to design. Moving to London at 18, she entered the world of fashion during the peak of the "It bag" era, a period where accessories were more than just functional—they became key status symbols. Her most notable achievement was leading the team responsible for the creation of the iconic Pippa bag. This design, which became famous after being worn by Pippa Middleton and members of the British Royal Family. Her experience also extends to overseeing global accessories & footwear collections for major contemporary brands, such as Calvin Klein Jeans, solidifying her keen interest in the fashion accessories space.Today, living and working in Copenhagen, Naïma has redefined her professional journey by working with the Danish cult brand Stine Goya as Product Director. Her focus now is on Growing footwear & Accessories development at Samsøe Samsøe, bringing her wealth of experience to create product strategies that prioritize environmental impact, ethical production, and innovation. Naïma's journey represents not only personal growth but also a shift in the fashion industry towards more conscious and responsible practices, aligning with current trends toward sustainability and inclusivity.

Tina Lemke, Marketing & Brand Experience Manager, OnceMore®

Tina Lemke has a background in fashion, with experience working at various Swedish brands such as Lindex and Vagabond Shoemakers. She has extensive expertise in digital marketing and marketing, primarily serving as a project manager for digital projects and sales. In early 2023, her career embarked on an exciting new chapter. As the Marketing & Brand Experience Manager at OnceMore® from Södra, Tina plays a pivotal role in transforming the fashion industry by raising awareness about textile-to-textile recycling and the innovative MMCF process and products.

SS25 CPHFW Talk Series – Alpha Talks: Danish Fashion

The SS25 talk series with Vogue Business as media partner make up a vital element of the official schedule each season, representing an opportunity to dig deeper into wider issues facing fashion.

The talk will activate the global network of Copenhagen Fashion Week, inviting industry leaders from a variety of organizations and practices to speak across the topics at hand.

Furthermore, Copenhagen Fashion Week is excited to announce Vogue Business as official media partner, who will use their global audience to amplify the reach of the talks that will be launched as podcasts post release.

Topic:

To drive conversations about the cultures of fashion, Alpha has launched a series of conversations on fashion culture across the Nordics. This talk focuses on the past, present and future shape of Danish fashion culture.

Elaborating on the international recognition of Danish fashion and how the past, present and future shape Danish fashion culture.

Danish fashion is evolving. Designers, brands and organisations have gained recognition within, and beyond, Denmark. Danish fashion may be known internationally for its wearable functionality, green ambitions and bourgeoning talent scene, but what are the links between the past, present and future shape of Danish fashion culture? And which institutions and people have been instrumental to its developments?

The talk is the second in a talk series on Nordic fashion, moderated by Ane Lynge-Jorlén, director at Alpha, and it brings together fashion scholar Marie Riegels Melchior, designer and retailer Mads Nørgaard and designer and artistic director Louise Lyngh Bjerregaard.

Alpha is a non-profit organisation that empowers emerging fashion designers from the Nordics. Through international collaborations, exhibitions at Nordic museums, films and talks, Alpha supports fashion designers who show high levels of originality, creativity, progressiveness, craftsmanship and responsibility. Alpha believes in the cultural value of fashion and the craft and criticality of its creators.

Moderator:

Ane Lynge-Jorlén, Director, Alpha

Ane Lynge-Jorlén is the director of Alpha, an organisation that empowers emerging Nordic fashion designers internationally. Lynge-Jorlén is special advisor on fashion talents for Copenhagen Fashion Week. She holds a PhD in Fashion Studies from University of the Arts London, and she has published her research internationally, including Fashion Stylists (Bloomsbury 2020) and Niche Fashion Magazines (Bloomsbury 2017) and she has curated several exhibitions on contemporary, experimental fashion across, and beyond, the Nordics, most recently Liminal Objects. Contemporary Critical Fashion at Le Bicolore in Paris and Beautiful Repair. Mending in Art and Fashion at Copenhagen Contemporary.

Panelists:

Marie Riegels Melchior, Associate Professor in European Ethnology, University of Copenhagen

Marie Riegels Melchior is an Associate Professor in European Ethnology at the University of Copenhagen. Her research focuses on fashion, dress and design culture, cultural history from the 19th century and onwards, heritage and museum studies. She has written extensively on particularly Danish fashion and design history in the 20th and 21st century, as well as on the museological issues of fashion. She has published the critically acclaimed, two volume book Moden i Danmark gennem 400 år [Fashion in Denmark through 400 years, 2022] together with Mikkel Venborg Pedersen. Marie is on the editorial board of the journals Ethnologia Scandinavica Journal of Scandinavian Ethnology, Fashion Studies alongside Critical Studies of Fashion & Beauty.

Louise Lyngh Bjerregaard, Founder and Creative Director

Louise Lyngh Bjerregaard is an avant-garde innovator known for continuously blurring the boundaries between couture and artisanal ready-to-wear and for having created a new language in knitwear. The Paris-based brand is defined as a sustainable artisanal force, distinguished and recognised for its aesthetics, savoir-faire, credibility, inclusivity, and cross-season timelessness. Working with ateliers and artisans in Paris the brand pushes for longevity and transparency while actively engaging in knowledge sharing across the educational system fostering a gap between tradition and new generations demonstrating being a brand for the future.

Mads Nørgaard, CEO and Creative Director

Mads Nørgaard is an avid supporter of art, fashion and culture in Denmark. He is the third generation of a family of retailers and designers of the iconic Danish multi-brand store Nørgaard på Strøget. Mads' grandfather founded the shop back in the 1940s, selling clothes for mourning, which Mads' father transformed into a cutting-edge fashion boutique in sync with the spirit of the 60s. Alongside their own designs, the shop was one of the first in Denmark to sell the latest fashions from London and Paris. Mads owns and runs the multiple shops, alongside designing their menswear and womenswear collections. Mads is a Copenhagen culture icon: He is the editor of the Danish fashion encyclopedia, the brain behind Nørgaard på Strøget’s experimental window exhibitions and live performances and a supporter of artists, art fairs and museum exhibitions.