Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) refocused on aspects like sustainability and creativity as well as global influence in 2026. Marking two decades of improvements from a regional perspective into what they now call “fifth fashion week” alongside other cities like New York, London, Milan, and also Paris.
Founded in 2006 through the merging of two smaller trade fairs, CPHFW has steadily grown in stature, drawing fashion editors, buyers, and influencers from around the world to Denmark’s capital. Over the years, it has helped move Scandinavian designers such as Ganni, Cecilie Bahnsen, and Holzweiler onto the world stage, showing that a fashion week outside the traditional “Big Four” can be both commercially successful and culturally significant.
At the heart of Copenhagen’s identity is a deep commitment to environmental responsibility. In 2020, CPHFW created new rules that require brands to meet basic standards when it comes to sustainability in order to take part in the official shows. These standards, which encompass material choices, production practices, and ethical considerations, have since become a model for other fashion weeks, influencing events in cities such as London, Oslo, and Berlin.
By 2023, we fully implemented the sustainability rules and have since updated them to enhance environmental and social standards. CPHFW’s 2023–2025 Action Plan focuses on cutting climate impact, using fewer resources, and supporting partnerships that promote sustainable innovation in fashion.
While this 20-year milestone is celebrated, the fashion week also showcased a large range of runway shows and installations as well as presentations, which show both established fashion houses and talents that are slowly emerging. Including initiatives such as the Zalando Visionary Award, which puts the spotlight on brands that are pushing their boundaries in design and social impact as well as sustainability.
Industry leaders say the rise of Copenhagen Fashion Week has contributed significantly to the growth of Denmark’s fashion sector, which now stands as one of the country’s largest export categories. The city’s unique blend of “Nordic cool” style, inclusivity, and ethical fashion has helped redefine how fashion weeks operate and what they represent in a world increasingly aware of environmental and social challenges.
To celebrate the anniversary, CEO Cecilie Thorsmark looked back on the journey of Copenhagen Fashion Week from its small beginnings to becoming a major event on the global fashion calendar. Thorsmark, who has been leading CPHFW ever since 2018, highlighted that fashion weeks should do more than just show the latest trends; they should start out positive changes in the industry. She highlighted that sustainability needs to be based on clear rules and actions that can be measured, rather than just empty promises or claims when it comes to marketing, so that real progress can be made.
While CPHFW has been widely praised, it has also faced scrutiny. Critics and consumer watchdogs have raised many questions about the enforcement and the transparency of sustainability claims, pointing out the ongoing need for accountability within the industry. A complaint brought against CPHFW’s sustainability framework highlighted issues around greenwashing, prompting calls for greater clarity in how eco-friendly messaging is communicated.
Despite these challenges, Copenhagen’s model continues to shape the global fashion calendar. Its sustainability requirements have been adopted or adapted by other organizations as well, such as the British Fashion Council, highlighting the event’s role in shaping industry standards beyond Denmark.
As CPHFW looks to the future, its focus remains on strengthening sustainability, homing new talent, and expanding more inclusiveness, making sure that its 20th anniversary is not only a celebration of past achievements but also a start for continued innovation as well as positive impact in the world of fashion.
