Ganni in Copenhagen

October 18, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

The mecca of Copenhagen’s fashion, Ganni, in brick-and-mortar format. Although I’m not the ultimate fan of the brand, its impressive what Ditte and Nicolaj Reffstrup achieved throughout the years. The label – known for floral dresses, chunky boots and big knits in relatively affordable prices – is not just internationally recognised, but beloved by women of different walks of life. The Copenhagen store, filled with Ana Kraš’ visuals, hand-picked vintage furniture and pastel tones, serves as a well-coordinated space that presents the brand’s new arrivals (note the beaded bucket bags and the denim capsule line!).

Store Regnegade 12 / Copenhagen

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Lot #29

October 17, 2018October 17, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Lot #29 will definitely please those, who seek a truly unique selection of brands, and want to spend time in an equally eclectic interior. A very personal choice of labels – Cecilie Bahnsen, Missoni, Nina Ricci, Erdem – hangs on the racks, accompanied by refined leather goods and gorgeous jewellery (Tohum and lots of chic hair clips). Basically everything you lay your eyes in here is beautifully crafted, with heart. Lot #29 curates and sells special, tactile, functional and classic add-ons, which you won’t find in other multi brand boutiques (that sadly order the same stuff from the same labels). The place opened back in 2003, but it feels… ageless. Also, note the antique furniture and the old-fashioned cabinet that showcases the shiny goodies. Although it’s a store, it feels like at home.

Gothersgade 29 / Copenhagen

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Copenhagen

October 16, 2018October 16, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Before an actual trip to Copenhagen, I thought of this place in terms of an Instagram filter: one, everything’s extremely minimal, two, people are obsessed with Ganni. The first is a complete myth, the latter is a fact. The city itself stuns with gorgeous, classical architecture (see the Amalienborg, the palace of Danish Royal family) and a widespread fascination with Ancient sculpture – boutique and restaurant interiors clearly suggest that, while the permanent exhibition at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek museum (more about this incredible place soon) seems to be the main source of inspiration. So, the stereotypical, Scandinavian minimalism is only present in the newer architecture that can be spotted a few steps away from the city centre. Other than that, Copenhagen is full of roses (they grow in front of townhouses). Vintage is respected and cherished, as you can easily see lots and lots of old Danish porcelain standing in the window sills or sold in trendy concept stores. People here love a good matcha and fresh pastry (check Atelier September for that). And, yes – the locals dress insanely good, not just during Copenhagen fashion week. Their style is extremely distinct – it’s nothing like the ‘Parisian chic’ or ‘Berlin cool’. It’s about colour, polish, tactility, so many things simultaneously. I think that’s true eclecticism. Also, another observation: women from Copenhagen love their hometown brands. I was surprised to see so many faux fur Saks Potts coats and Ganni knits strolling down the postcard-ish Nyhavn street, worn so… naturally! The only thing that slightly terrified me was the number of stores selling hair clips. You know, the most kitschy ones, with rhinestones and all… at first I was repelled. But then, a Copenhagen person knows how to pull off one of those and look good. That’s an art.

More posts on my favourite addresses in Copenhagen coming up very soon!

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Olympics. Saks Potts SS19

August 12, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

For their spring-summer 2018, Barbara Potts and Catherine Saks clearly wanted to stir away from what Saks Potts is mostly known for: the best-selling faux fur jackets. And they tried hard to surprise. In the beginning, a dance troupe performed in the middle of the stadium, where the collection was presented; then, a model came out, wearing a dramatic white dress in fur. And then, the show really began. The collection was meant to be a nod to the Olympics and everything connected to sport. But the result could have been much better. The designers definitely needed to concentrate more on editing the looks, as in the overall the collection felt simply… messy. Holographic, Lycra ensembles. Duvet jackets with mountain prints. Logomania tights. Too much going on in here. Also, I couldn’t help but note all the elements that seemed to be knocked-off from Area NYC. Their signatures: the big sunglasses, the over-the-top styling, the early 90s glamour. All present at Saks Potts, executed in a very similar way. The best (and certainly the most original) part of the collection was the fur. That lilac coat with a fluffy collar and equally fluffy cuffs is a highlight, just like the ombre teddy bear piece.

Another week, another fashion week. Some Copenhagen designers, like Cecilie Bahnsen, have a clear signature and keep to it. Other, like Ganni, recycle trends. And the other others, like Saks Potts, are established for one thing, but seem to struggle to evolve. Still, the Danish designers are worth watching.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

For The Walkers. Ganni SS19

August 11, 2018August 11, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Indisputably, Ganni made Copenhagen fashion week a thing. Today, Danish designers and brands are nearly as important as the names we know from the four capitals – New York, London, Milan and Paris. Just see how many people you follow on Instagram went to Copenhagen this week! There’s even the Danish it-girls clique, that has a distinct, eclectic look. I mean the most unprecedented (and sometimes simply ridiculous) combinations of floral tea-dress, plastic bags, hair scrunchies and kitschy, vintage mules.

But back to the topic. Ganni’s spring-summer 2019 was the show that every ‘influencer’ went to. This clothing label, founded by wife-and-husband duo Ditte and Nicolaj Reffstrup, brings an alternative version of Scandinavian style – a ‘no no’ to cold minimalism. Ditte, who is the creative director, likes florals, slip dresses, ruffles and big knits, and tends to balance all those with heavy, off-duty accessories. Shortly, Ganni follows every trend alert, does good styling tricks and keeps it all quite affortable (the price point is slightly below Acne Studios). That’s why I’m on fence with the label’s phenomenon – it’s not as much fashion, as a thoroughly considered image of the so-called ‘Ganni girl’. Spring-summer 2019 wasn’t different in that aspect. Inspired by camping and travelling by foot in overall, Ganni went for bucket hats, sporty outerwear (made in collaboration with 66 North), trekking boots, prairie dresses, dyed denim and camo backpacks. The venue, done under the direction of Ana Kras (you might know her as @teget on Instagram), as well suggested something connected to travelling: cars and boats covered with nylon canvas, and the huge space filled with transport containers. It all worked, and you surely will want to pull off every second look next summer. But somehow, I can’t help, but think of Ganni as of a very Instagrammable and undemanding label.