Copenhagen Fashion Week launches 20th anniversary year this January

Copenhagen Fashion Week is set to kick off its 20th anniversary year in January, with the AW26 edition scheduled to run from January 27 to 29.

This season’s lineup features a curated selection of Nordic and international brands, including the return of 2024 Zalando Visionary Award winner Paolina Russo and 2024 FTA Franca Sozzani Debut Talent winner Nazzal Studio. AW26 will also see the debut of Danish menswear label O. Files.

For AW26, the CPHFW NewTalent programme will welcome Stem to its roster, joining returning designers Bonnetje and Anne Sofie Madsen. Studio Constance, Sson and Taus have been awarded the One To Watch recognition, and will introduce their upcoming collections through a mix of runway shows and presentations.

Copenhagen Fashion Week has also introduced a new Homecoming slot, created to honour a Nordic brand returning to the schedule after seasons of showing abroad. For January 2026, Holzweiler has been named the inaugural recipient.

“Celebrating 20 years is not only about looking back at how far we’ve come, but about reflecting on the role Copenhagen Fashion Week can continue to play in shaping the future of fashion,” said Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week.  

“The past few years have been extremely challenging for the industry, testing the resilience of everyone involved. Yet despite this, the Nordic fashion scene has continued to evolve into a global force, and I’m proud that Copenhagen Fashion Week has been part of chartering that journey.”

Copenhagen Fashion Week and Zalando have additionally revealed the finalists for the 2026 Zalando Visionary Award: Institution (Georgia), Kyle Ho (UK) and Milk of Lime (Belgium/Germany). The brands were selected for their forward-thinking approaches to social impact, innovation and design.

The award winner will be announced on January 28 during fashion week, with a curated showcase of finalists’ work and a panel talk moderated by Giuliano Calza, founder and creative director of GCDS. The winning brand will present its SS27 collection on the runway during the August 2026 edition.