«My biggest inspiration are the girls around me,» interview with Cecilie Bahnsen The Danish designer talks about the success of her eponymous brand at Copenhagen Fashion Week

The story of Cecilie Bahnsen is evident in all the designs of the Scandinavian brand. It emerges from the lace and embroidered flowers on waterproof jackets, from the ultra-feminine collaborations with technical clothing brands such as Asics and The North Face. After all, Cecilie Bahnsen’s story is a wholly feminine one, taking shape when the designer learned to sew from her grandmother. After years of studying at the Danish Design School and the Royal College of Art in London, and various work experiences at the Royal Danish Theatre, Dior, John Galliano, and Erdem, ten years ago, Bahnsen decided to launch her own brand at home in Copenhagen, creating a women-led company. «I think there are a lot of incredible women in this company,» says the designer, «it's important for me to put that femininity and its strength at the forefront.» We met Bahnsen during Copenhagen Fashion Week to uncover the secrets behind her brand’s success and to learn how the Danish capital influences her collections.

As Cecilie Bahnsen's name grows in popularity across fashion capitals worldwide, reaching New York, London, and Milan, the company continues to expand. Since 2015, it has remained entirely women-led and independent, but today operates on a global scale with a team of over thirty people. Although Cecilie Bahnsen has been part of the official Paris Fashion Week calendar since 2022, the brand remains based in Copenhagen and has recently moved into a larger office. Like all young and independent brands, Bahnsen faces a challenging market to navigate; however, year after year, the designer is proving to be an excellent navigator. «I think the beauty is in the pace that you can choose for your brand—when you want to grow or the way you want to put together the looks,» explains Bahnsen. «For me, part of being independent is also that stubbornness about what is right and what you put out there, and doing it our way. Yes, that’s how it is.»