Once again Denmark becomes an example that should be followed by other European countries; this time for its role in sustainability in fashion. Over the past few years many Danish fashion brands have started embracing the sustainable fashion model and using organic materials for their designs as opposed to fast fashion and massive production of clothing. We round up some of the best here.
KnowledgeCotton apparel
The menswear brand KnowledgeCotton Apparel was founded in 2008 by Mads Mørup, but its story begins back in 1969 when Mads’s father, Jørgen Mørup, opened a small textile company in the Danish city Herning. Sustainability in fashion was one of his main principles and Mads is following his father’s lead. All KnowledgeCotton Apparel clothing is made of organic cotton and the company creates recycled PET polyester using plastic bottles. PET is a type of plastic derived from petroleum used to make soft drink bottles. By using PET, CO2 emissions are reduced by 80% compared to virgin polyester. From T-shirts and blazers to socks and bags, this Danish brand offers all kinds of men’s clothing and accessories.
By Signe
Ann Wiberg’ Trash-Couture
Ann Wiberg is a well-known Danish designer who, at the age of 26, has launched her own collection. In 2002 she established Trash-Couture, a brand featuring clothes made with remarkable antique fabrics, lace, beads and unique embroidery. It became an instant success. At the time, sustainability in fashion wasn’t as popular as it is now, so Wiberg was breaking new ground in the fashion world. French Vogue in 2002 wrote: “Trash-Couture is hand-dyed, recycled, feathered, draped, slashed, trashed and intended to empower the wearer. Fit for an urban – princess!” That sentence says it all.
Become a Culture Tripper!
Sign up to our newsletter to
save up to 500$ on our unique trips.
Underprotection
Underprotection’s range of stylish underwear, loungewear and swimwear is made of sustainable materials in collaboration with a small factory in New Delhi, India. Banana fabric, recycled polyester and organic cotton are some of the materials used in order to design elegant garments that are environmentally friendly. The innovative Danish brand entered sustainable fashion in 2010, and magazines such as Vogue, Marie Claire and Elle, have praised its elegance and contibution in sustainability.
Elsk
Quality, sustainability and pride are the three principles that Elsk strives to follow when creating its collections. That’s why Elsk only sells just 200 pieces of each design. The clothes are made of organic Fairtrade cotton and other sustainable materials and Elsk only uses sustainable dye techniques. Elsk’s main focus is to preserve the environment while offering high-quality clothes to men and women who want to look their best.
RosenbergCph
Based in Copenhagen, RosenbergCph strives not only to create products with sustainability in mind but also to incorporate social responsibility into its business. Wool throws made of 100% Peruvian merino, cushions from recycled material, bed linen, oilcloths and tablecloths of organic cotton are just some of the items you’ll find in Anna Rosenberg’s shops. Every RosenbergCph product is made in Europe and most of them in Denmark at a Danish social enterprise, providing people with disabilities an opportunity to learn and work.
WORON
WORON is a Copenhagen-based brand founded by Arina and Anya Woron. What inspired them to start their own collection was the difficulty in finding beautiful, elegant lingerie that was also comfortable. But the sisters realised that by using sustainable materials that allow skin to breathe, they could combine comfort and style. Every underwear garment is sewn from the smooth fibre made from beechwood known as Lenzing Modal and Woron’s signature wash bags are made from organic cotton. Bodies, tops, leggings and soft bras are some of the products you’ll find in the collection.
Maja Brix
After working for a decade as head of Henrik Vibskov Femme, Maja Brix decided to start her own brand. Sustainability plays a significant role at Brix’s company – not only are all of her products created from environmentally-friendly materials, but every aspect of her company is also structured around the sustainable model. She designs clothes for both men and women, and is mostly known for her organic cotton shirts and suits.
FONNESBECH
FONNESBECH is all about good design and quality. Its philosophy is to create clothes that will last by using the finest material and textiles. The first FONNESBECH shop opened in Copenhagen in 1847 by Anders Fonnesbech and, at the time, it was selling high-quality fabrics, textiles and garters. Later, it became a fashion house producing its own clothes and accessories and importing the best designers. In 2014, the fashion brand relaunched and lives by its motto: an innovative approach, a historic foundation and a sustainable perspective”.
BARBARA I GONGINI
BARBARA I GONGINI aims to design elegant, minimalist clothes that can fit everybody, regardless of sex. Loyal to the principle of Nordic fashion, the renowned designer creates sustainable garments with strong geometric cuts and soft ovoid silhouettes that accentuate the individuality of each person. Her designs are suitable for both men and women. Being a strong supporter of sustainable fashion, BARBARA I GONGINI received a special recognition in 2014 in the Denim Challenge hosted by Copenhagen Fashion Summit, the fashion’s world largest global event.
Carcel
Carcel is an innovative fashion brand that aims to promote sustainability in fashion, while also helping imprisoned women. Veronica D’Souza is the person behind the idea of Carcel and, with the help of the talented designer Louise Van Hauen, her dream to improve the world through aspirational business solutions came to life. Each one of Carcel’s clothes consist of 100% natural material and are made by women in Cusco’s prison in Peru. In that way, not only does the company support sustainability in fashion, but it also gives women in prison new skills and wages in order to have a better life after their sentence ends.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Read Next
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the realm of sustainable fashion, I've witnessed the transformative shift that Denmark has been pioneering in recent years. The commitment of Danish fashion brands towards sustainable practices is not just a trend but a testament to their dedication to environmental consciousness. Let's delve into the specific brands mentioned in the article and explore the concepts integral to their sustainable fashion ethos:
-
KnowledgeCotton Apparel:
- Founded by Mads Mørup in 2008, the brand's roots trace back to 1969 with Mads's father, Jørgen Mørup, emphasizing sustainability.
- All clothing is crafted from organic cotton, and recycled PET polyester from plastic bottles is used, reducing CO2 emissions by 80% compared to virgin polyester.
-
Trash-Couture by Ann Wiberg:
- Ann Wiberg, a Danish designer, established Trash-Couture in 2002, pioneering sustainability in fashion.
- The brand utilizes antique fabrics, lace, beads, and unique embroidery to create hand-dyed, recycled, and empowered clothing.
-
Underprotection:
- This Danish brand, started in 2010, collaborates with a small factory in New Delhi, India, to produce stylish underwear, loungewear, and swimwear.
- Materials such as banana fabric, recycled polyester, and organic cotton are employed for creating elegant, environmentally friendly garments.
-
Elsk:
- Elsk focuses on quality, sustainability, and pride, limiting each design to only 200 pieces.
- The clothing is made from organic Fairtrade cotton, employing sustainable dye techniques to preserve the environment.
-
RosenbergCph:
- Based in Copenhagen, RosenbergCph integrates social responsibility into its business, creating products with sustainability in mind.
- Items include wool throws, cushions from recycled material, and bed linens made from organic cotton, produced in a Danish social enterprise.
-
WORON:
- Founded by sisters Arina and Anya Woron, WORON is a Copenhagen-based brand offering comfortable and elegant lingerie.
- Sustainable materials like Lenzing Modal (smooth fiber from beechwood) are used, and signature wash bags are made from organic cotton.
-
Maja Brix:
- Maja Brix, after a decade at Henrik Vibskov Femme, started her own brand with a significant focus on sustainability.
- Known for organic cotton shirts and suits, her entire company is structured around the sustainable model.
-
FONNESBECH:
- Established in 1847, FONNESBECH relaunched in 2014 with a focus on good design, quality, and sustainability.
- The brand utilizes the finest materials and textiles to create clothes that last.
-
BARBARA I GONGINI:
- This brand aims to design elegant, minimalist clothes suitable for everyone, emphasizing Nordic fashion principles.
- BARBARA I GONGINI received recognition in 2014 for sustainable fashion in the Denim Challenge hosted by Copenhagen Fashion Summit.
-
Carcel:
- Carcel, an innovative fashion brand, promotes sustainability while empowering imprisoned women.
- Clothes are made of 100% natural materials by women in Cusco’s prison in Peru, providing skills and wages for a better life post-sentence.
These Danish brands collectively showcase a commitment to sustainable fashion by incorporating organic materials, recycled fabrics, and ethical production practices, setting a commendable example for the global fashion industry.
