Copenhagen Fashion Week and CIFF join forces to support Nordic talent

Two major players in the promotion of Copenhagen’s fashion scene are joining forces to promote Scandinavian designers.

Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) and CIFF (Copenhagen International Fashion Fair) have announced a long-term strategic alliance. The two pillars of Danish fashion are moving forward with the CPHFW Newtalent program, dedicated to supporting the region’s most promising emerging Nordic brands.

As part of this alliance, CIFF becomes an official sponsor of the program and will now host a selection of Newtalent brands in a permanent showroom in the CIFF Village.

The young designers will also benefit from a dedicated space at the show, alongside fashion week, as well as enhanced access to an international network of buyers, press, and industry professionals. Support in terms of visibility, business development, and mentoring is planned throughout their journey, the value of which has not been communicated.

“This collaboration with CIFF is a natural step in our mission to support Nordic talent. It enables us to combine cultural visibility with commercial impact at a decisive moment in their development,” said Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Although a natural dynamic already existed between CPHFW and CIFF, the two players operated in parallel but complemented each other. While fashion week focused on runway shows and showcasing designers, CIFF provided the BtoB and commercial dimension, presenting over 1,000 brands twice a year in the pavilions of the Bella Center, on the outskirts of the Danish capital. This alliance marks a desire to pool resources and expertise to consolidate Copenhagen’s position as the capital of Nordic fashion.

“We are proud to formalize this collaboration with Copenhagen Fashion Week. CIFF is more than just a show, it’s an ecosystem where talent can grow, connect, and plan for the long term,” said Sofie Dolva, the show’s managing director, in a press release.

This year’s Newtalent program includes Anne Sofie Madsen, Bonnetjes and Berner Kühl, as well as start-ups Kettle Atelier, Stem, and Taus in the One to Watch category. A first glimpse of a generation of designers that this alliance intends to promote far beyond Scandinavia’s borders.