Inside fashion writer Hayley Peppin’s Copenhagen Fashion Week diary

Runways, street parties, cardamom buns.

As someone who enjoys wearing (and watching) artisanal whimsy, Copenhagen Fashion Week is my sartorial dream. It’s also, rather pleasantly, a dream within reach in a way the Big Four fashion weeks – New York, London, Milan and Paris – aren’t: it extends a hand to everyone from micro-creators and freelance writers to the everyday sartorialist.

Its inclusive philosophy, woven into every fabric of the week, invites not just expressive clothes that take up space. Nobody looks like they’re trying to get thinner here; instead, everyone seems encouraged to embrace a little more room, whether through personal style, public fashion shows in open spaces, or invitations to brand dinners simply because they DM’d the designer (as was the case at a Celia B event I attended on Tuesday night).

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All of which is to say: Copenhagen’s welcoming spirit made returning to its cheery ‘green runway’ feel as effortless as those Scandi girls who somehow cycle in wearable pageantry. Which is exactly how I found myself back here, on an editorial whim.

Previously, I attended CPHFW in 2024, off the back of my third stint living in London. I’d just left my full-time editor role at a fashion magazine, and having delighted in the remote reporting of Danish street style, I wanted to see the colours, textures and movement IRL.

Suffice to say, Copenhagen proved yet again why it’s the unofficial fifth fashion city, delivering functional fun, nurturing new talent and meaningful storytelling. I attended four shows, six side events alongside the schedule and ate five Danish pastries – which is to say, not enough – because why go to Copenhagen if you don’t have a cardamom bun or Dua Lipa-recommended chicken burger?

Day one

I arrived in Copenhagen late on Monday. Flights from London were stupidly expensive, probably because I booked them stupidly late, so the cheapest available got in at 5pm. I rushed to my budget hotel to shower and get ready, throwing on a well-loved, black St Agni halter dress before jumping into an Uber for Ganni’s evening opener. And what a way to kickstart the week.

Proving no city does fashion week quite like the Danes, Ganni celebrated its new CPHFW collaboration with zero-waste brand Stem by throwing a street party. We drank from leopard-print cans, ate branded madeleines, and watched creative director Ditte Reffstrup dancing to Lykke Li’s ‘I Follow Rivers’ remix. While Ganni’s runway has decamped to Paris, the brand still maintains a loud-and-proud Copenhagen presence off-schedule. 

It’s here that I ran into a few familiar Australian faces, many of whom I ended up connecting with throughout the week – fashion editor Maggie Zhou, swimwear founder Mattie Gouman, photographer Eugene Canty, and writer Carmen Azzopardi. 

The Aussie contingent continued at the Copenhagen Fashion Week Gala, where I caught up with stylist Jordan Boorman and indulged in a ‘let them eat cake’ spread of mini gâteaux, courtesy of Pandora. CEO Cecilie Thorsmark celebrated the strength of designers in her opening speech during some “incredibly challenging years,” and supermodels Adwoa Aboah, Mona Tougaard and Alana Hadid linked arms while traversing The Royal Danish Opera. 

Day two

I started the day with a quintessential Danish breakfast plate from Apotek 57. Soft-boiled eggs, house-baked sourdough, whipped salted butter, regional cheese and house-made jam meant I was well-charged for a few hours of shopping. 

On my hit list? Another Nué for its curation of emerging Scandi labels, Reseller Copenhagen for luxury consignment, and Quirky Lane Vintage for an assortment of colourful retro pieces, statement coats and accessories. I left with a paisley-print slip dress and brown Mary Jane heels. 

I headed back to my hotel to get ready for the evening, wearing my Matteau sequinned crochet-knit tank and vintage aviators for the Paolina Russo show. The formerly London-based designer has been showing in Copenhagen for three years now after winning the inaugural Zalando Visionary Award. This time, Russo invited the public to revel in some skater girl-chic with saccharine colour palettes, slouchy knitwear and denim, and supersized necklaces strung with Bratz-like charms. 

Later, I headed to an intimate dinner at Delphine with Spanish brand Celia B. I did a quick outfit swap in the restaurant bathroom to wear the designer’s new AW 26 collection, ‘Golden Hour’. I ate scallops, fries and roast chicken, and played group bingo with our host, Danish influencer Pernille Rosenkilde. 

Day three

I moved up in the hotel world, checking into the newish and chic 1 Hotel Copenhagen. I then had a meeting at the flagship store of fine jeweller Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen, one of my long-time favourites.

A quick poolside drink pitstop at Villa Copenhagen with Jordan made for essential show debriefing before getting ready for Baum und Pferdgarten that evening. I threw on my new purchases from Quirky Lane, styled with a ’70s gold chain belt.

Cinematically framed by the King’s Garden, Baum und Pferdgarten’s collection was inspired by the insouciant dress of ballet dancers leaving the studio. The looks played on the contrast between discipline and nonchalance, with tailored blazers, attachable mini tutus, legwarmers and leather. 

A martini from Bar Tata at Hotel Sanders followed (the hotel was founded by former Royal Danish ballet dancer, Alexander Kølpin), before truffle fries at 1 Hotel Copenhagen’s Paere bar before bed.

Day four

At the top of my bakery hit list was Lille Bakery, which has a healthy selection of buns and breakfast dishes. Beyond savoury plates, Scandinavian and Nordic countries know how to do granola bowls, and I couldn’t leave without trying Lille’s version, followed by a cinnamon bun.

I then dropped by Danish accessories brand Pico for a hair clip and a pair of socks, before getting ready for the Marimekko show. Leaning into the childlike, sunny colour of the iconic Finnish designer, I wore a bright orange mini dress by Apres Studio with my brown Bared Footwear loafers and my signature orange-tinted aviators from Quay. 

Marimekko’s new collection felt suitably joyful: bold colour, playful prints, matching red socks and shoes, and wonderfully girlish silhouettes, including open babydoll dresses worn with matching bloomers. 

Then came the inaugural global guest slot, and naturally, another outfit change while desperately charging my phone. I slipped into a double-denim look, before heading to see New York-based Collina Strada bring its whimsical maximalism to Copenhagen.

Staged by the water as the sun set, with a string quartet soundtracking the runway, the collection was a confectionary Danish fairytale – feathered, frothy textures, luminous caps, toeless socks, exaggerated cargo pants, oversized jewellery and fringe detailing. 

I walked to Bistro Royal for one final Copenhagen reunion: dinner with my Danish friend Sandra Willer. It was a lovely bookend to a week that, in so many ways, connected my Copenhagen, London and Australian worlds. Best believe I’ll be back for more fashion bites (and real ones) next year. 

For more CPHFW street style, try this.