Copenhagen Fashion Week kicks off 20th anniversary year in January

Copenhagen Fashion Week will begin its 20th anniversary in January, with the AW26 edition scheduled to take place from January 27-29.

This season's lineup features a curated selection of Nordic and international brands, including the return of Zalando Visionary Award 2024 winner Paolina Russo and FTA Franca Sozzani Debut Talent 2024 winner Nazzal Studio. AW26 will also see the debut of Danish menswear brand O. Files.

For AW26, the CPHFW NewTalent program will welcome Stem to its roster, joining returning designers Bonnetje and Anne Sofie Madsen. Studio Constance, Sson and Taus have received One To Watch recognition and will present their upcoming collections through a combination of runway shows and presentations.

Copenhagen Fashion Week has also introduced a new Homecoming space, created to honor a Nordic brand returning to the calendar after seasons of showing abroad. By January 2026, Holzweiler will be the inaugural winner.

“Celebrating 20 years is not just about looking back and seeing how far we have come, but about reflecting on the role Copenhagen Fashion Week can continue to play in shaping the future of fashion,” said Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week.

“The last few years have been extremely challenging for the industry, testing the resilience of everyone involved. However, despite this, the Nordic fashion scene has continued to evolve into a global force, and I am proud that Copenhagen Fashion Week has been part of that journey.”

Copenhagen Fashion Week and Zalando have also revealed the finalists for the Zalando Visionary Award 2026: Institution (Georgia), Kyle Ho (UK) and Milk of Lime (Belgium/Germany). The brands were selected for their cutting-edge approaches to social impact, innovation and design.

The award winner will be announced on January 28 during fashion week, with a curated showcase of the finalists' work and a talk moderated by Giuliano Calza, founder and creative director of GCDS. The winning brand will present its SS27 collection on the catwalk during the August 2026 edition.