In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling.

In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling.

      At Cecilie Bahnsen's studio in Copenhagen, she is highlighting an image of look 26 on her mood board, just a day prior to her 10th-anniversary show. Upon seeing it, she gasps and instinctively touches the part of her t-shirt over her heart, excitedly exclaiming, “This one! It’s inspired by Copenhagen…and the way girls ride their bikes, tucking in their dresses to avoid getting caught in the wheels.” The outfit features a white dress that resembles a dollop of uneven butter, gathered at one hip to give the impression of a tuck, topped with a tactical-style vest made entirely of floral fabric. The model looks ready to sprint, wearing silver-dipped Asics sneakers and knee-high stocking socks. Had Bahnsen not mentioned it, I would have quickly been drawn to it anyway, as it appears to be something I would love to wear.

      This look is particularly fitting for Bahnsen to showcase, especially since this year marks her return to Copenhagen after five seasons in Paris. Many fashion editors I spoke with during Copenhagen Fashion Week expressed their anticipation for her anniversary show, with half of them donning voluminous Cecilie Bahnsen tops, featuring large puffed sleeves or peplum, as they called it. In those moments, they transformed from mere editors into enthusiastic fans.

      Bahnsen’s creations seem custom-made for us. Her dresses and tops are often so exaggeratedly large that they feel ideal for editorial features but also practical for everyday wear, as they can be easily layered over t-shirts and jeans. The essence of Cecilie Bahnsen is both extravagant and comfortable. It's also common to overhear someone expressing their desire to wear the brand for their wedding. “We're fortunate that many choose us for their weddings, but I also adore seeing a woman who wears it casually on a Monday or makes it her own! It’s that electricity of the brand being versatile,” she shares. Wearing Bahnsen feels like being part of an exclusive club.

      Bahnsen recognizes this connection and cherishes it, describing her enchanting dresses that appear dessert-like yet are often paired with the vibe of a rebellious teen tomboy. “The guests are part of the show too,” she says. “They wear their favorite pieces and the memories attached to them.”

      Much of the signature Cecilie Bahnsen aesthetic stems not from films or fantastical themes but from her observations of how people wear her clothing. This insight contributed to her decision to return to Copenhagen. “It’s wonderful to create a collection here again because we draw so much inspiration from this environment, from how our team operates and how the women around me dress. When we introduced denim, it was precisely because the girls wore jeans under their dresses! The same goes for outerwear.” She viewed this quirky and practical styling as a means of safeguarding. “It was about…’How can you protect the dress?’” A Cecilie Bahnsen piece is valuable but meant to be worn, not kept in a closet.

      “It was really about adding elements around the dresses that define us,” she elaborates. “We began to build our universe and strengthen the brand that way, but also because it aligns with how we wear it.” The collection she presented last week to mark her 10th anniversary represented the culmination of her journey thus far. It served as a tribute to how everyone has embraced Cecilie Bahnsen over the past decade. “I genuinely wanted it to be different and use the Copenhagen show as a chance to explore something a bit unconventional…something more introspective,” she explains. “We worked with our archives, turning things around and combining them in innovative ways.”

      Thus, Bahnsen dove straight into her archives housed at her studio. Reminiscing about all the pieces she has created, she laughs at how much more voluminous they have become. “We decided it should be a white collection transitioning to silver,” she adds. “It’s a creative montage of the last ten years. I aimed to showcase many of the fabrics and techniques we've developed and juxtapose the silhouettes in novel ways. That’s been the foundation of the collection.”

      The outcome was dresses, tops, skirts, and shorts that resembled a collage rather than a single theme. Some dresses were literally collages, featuring a dress hitched at the back that initially appeared to be a cape or train. “There you have two looks in one!” Bahnsen declares.

      However, the anniversary show was not merely a reflection or tribute; it was also an exercise in attachment. “Some of these pieces are incredibly dear to me, but they should be out in the world living a bit. It was all about working with what we have and reimagining them, giving them new life while appreciating what they still are. It's a conversation among the different collections.” As she surveyed the audience, it was evident that attendees were thankful for Bahnsen's expertise

In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling. In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling.

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In Copenhagen, this brand is worn by girls for both weddings and cycling.

Cecilie Bahnsen's collection for her 10th anniversary serves as the model for Scandi girl chic.