I knew I wanted to visit Copenhagen for Fashion Week before I even began studying Fashion Journalism at Vogue College of Fashion. The city always attracted me with its polished approach to fashion and idyllic scenery. Conveniently, it’s also only a two-hour flight from London.
Once the Copenhagen Fashion Week schedule was released, I spent hours emailing brands, designers and editors—quite literally anyone listed in the directory of the Show and Presentation Committee.
For anyone trying to land a job at Fashion Week, something that I found useful, albeit time-consuming, was connecting with people across multiple platforms—the broader the reach, the greater the likelihood of a response. I reached out through Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and email.
I also found this strategy to be beneficial long-term, as many people I sourced from the directory eventually became connections that have helped me to build my career.
My initial plan was to offer to volunteer for shows and production. I quickly realized most teams had been lined up many months in advance. Still, through lots of back-and-forth emailing, I made connections with people who even recommended staying in touch for work during their summer Fashion Week.
Eventually, after receiving many rejection emails (one of my New Year’s goals was to receive 100 rejections), I had been invited to a few shows and presentations running from January 27-29.
For anyone new to the industry and building professional connections, I would also recommend submitting an official Fashion Week application. It is always worth it to take a chance and see what happens.
Han Kjøbenhavn’s FW26 Corrosion
The first runway show was Han Kjøbenhavn’s couture collection Corrosion, which was presented with unreleased music by Danish singer D1MA. The presentation was held in Copenhagen’s Museum Tunnelfabrikken.
The show had an ambiance reminiscent of Eyes Wide Shut—ceiling-high translucent curtains, low lighting, menacing music. The collection featured dark structured silhouettes, abstract geometric shapes as headpieces and long lengths of fabric deliberately dragging across the floor.
Given Copenhagen Fashion Week’s reputation as the ‘most sustainable fashion week,’ the Corrosion presentation carried a distinctly dystopian undertone. The music was daunting and ominous, and the designs were obscure, otherworldly and incredibly memorable.
O. Files AW26 Presentation
The following day, I attended Oscar Jardorf’s presentation of his brand O. Files’ Autumn/Winter 2026 menswear collection. Held in a minimalistic, Scandinavian interior, the presentation was intelligent, alluring and intimate.
The male models were dressed in sleek suits, bomber jackets and double pleated trousers. Each model was stationed in their own area of the room, completing a task in a nonchalant manner.
One was leaning on a wooden desk with a dated cord phone, another playing chess, and another reading a newspaper. Simultaneously, guests mingled and chatted with grapefruit margaritas in hand, courtesy of the Danish cocktail brand, Aeris.
Overall, the collection had a timeless sense of self assurance, evocative of ’90s men’s office wear with a modern twist. I was allured not only by the refined collection but also the stimulating conversations flowing between so many creative and immensely talented people.
Advice For Aspiring Fashion Journalists
I’ve come to realize that navigating the realm of fashion journalism is far less about waiting for opportunities to present themselves and more about deliberate, consistent action through self-advocation.
Realistically, this means reaching out early (often months in advance) and not relying on a single point of contact, but instead approaching brands, PR agents and editors across multiple platforms.
Writing your own work, regardless of commission, is equally essential. Building a portfolio through self-initiated pieces, whether on Substack or a personal website, creates both credibility and a clear point of view.
When access is offered, treating every moment as material is key. Take notes immediately after shows, observing not just the clothes but the atmosphere, conversations and casting choices. One habit I’ve developed is carrying around a small journal to track initial feelings on what I’m seeing before my opinions are influenced by others on social media.
Following up with people is just as important as the initial introduction. A short message after meeting someone, or staying in touch between seasons, often leads to more meaningful opportunities.
Finally, applying for official accreditation is always worthwhile—the process itself teaches you how to position your work professionally. It also allows you to develop trust in yourself and your abilities.
In many ways, entering the industry is less about a single breakthrough and more about building momentum through a series of opportunities and experiences over time.
