The Fifth Fashion Week, How Copenhagen Rewrote the Rules

The Fifth Fashion Week, How Copenhagen Rewrote the Rules

From What's Contemporary Now? by What's Contemporary

February 3, 2026 · 40 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the evolution of Copenhagen Fashion Week and its impact on the fashion industry with insights from its CEO and COO.

Copenhagen Fashion Week marks its 20th anniversary at a moment when the fashion system is being asked to account for itself. In conversation with CEO Cecilie Thorsmark and COO Isabella Rose Davey, this episode examines how a regional fashion week evolved into a platform with global influence, and what that evolution reveals about the future of the industry. “Fashion weeks were falling out of sync with the world around us. They were celebrating fashion in a bubble, while everything else was changing.” CEO Cecilie Thorsmark “What feels contemporary now to me is generosity.” COO Isabella Rose Davey Episode Highlights: A reflection on Copenhagen Fashion Week’s evolution from a regional showcase into a global platform with cultural and economic impact over its 20-year history. Insight into how Cecilie Thorsmark redefined the purpose of a fashion week, shifting it from celebration alone to a system that engages with responsibility, progress, and accountability. A candid discussion about implementing binding sustainability requirements, including the real challenges of enforcement, support, and industry resistance. An exploration of why sustainability works best as infrastructure rather…

People in this episode

Guests: Cecilie Thorsmark, Isabella Rose Davey

Topics covered

  • Copenhagen Fashion Week
  • sustainability in fashion
  • emerging designers
  • fashion industry evolution
  • global influence

Keywords

  • Copenhagen Fashion Week
  • sustainability
  • fashion industry
  • emerging designers
  • global platform

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Copenhagen Fashion Week

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