The Danish designer shares her thoughts on Scandi style and navigating an increasingly digitalised landscape
Since launching her label in 2015, the fashion world has been clamouring over Cecilie Bahnsen's gorgeous, flouncy dresses that somehow manage to fuse extreme, romantic silhouettes with Scandi pragmatism. Bahnsen became a finalist for the 2017 LVMH Prize and has since gone from strength to strength, presenting her last two collections at Paris Fashion Week. Her latest, a line-up of incredible, quilted silk coats layered with knit bralets over her signature frothy confections, might be her best collection yet. We chat with the rising Danish star on her past, present and future.
How did you get your start in fashion?
My grandmother was my first introduction to style and crafts. She was such a beautiful and stylish lady. She taught me to hand embroider, crochet and knit. After graduating from the Royal College of Art in London in 2010, I knew I wanted to create my own brand. I loved designing not just the fabric and garments in the collection but also the whole universe and story that surrounded it. I also knew that it takes a lot more than creativity and good ideas to build a successful brand so I worked in Paris for the incredible John Galliano. It allowed me to define my love for fashion, perfect intricate couture techniques and appreciate the use of fabric and texture which I now incorporate within my designs each season. Design for me is about the poetry and emotional appeal of handmade clothing.
What kind of message did you want to send through your clothes?
I make clothes for women to feel comfortable, strong and independent. The Cecilie Bahnsen woman wears clothes she treasures but not to be precious about; clothes for high days, low days and the everyday, to share, or lend, or pass on. There is less of a sense of saving something for a special occasion now and more a sense of showing how you can wear the same thing in different ways.
