Cereal City Guide: Copenhagen by Park Rosa;

Author:Park, Rosa;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Abrams, Inc.
Published: 2021-07-20T00:00:00+00:00

STUDIO.OLIVERGUSTAV.COM

See this page for information on Studio Oliver Gustav

EASE & HERITAGE: AN INTERVIEW WITH CECILIE BAHNSEN

words by NIKOLAJ HANSSON

photos by IRINA BOERSMA

styling by PERNILLE VEST

Conjuring the elegant femininity of Paris, the raw intensity of London and the democratic refinement of Copenhagen, Cecilie Bahnsen has shaped a new paradigm in the Scandinavian and global fashion spheres with her eponymous label. Having relocated back to her native Copenhagen after stints in Paris and London, Bahnsen shares her thoughts on the city she calls home, and its influence on her work.

CEREAL: You studied abroad in London and worked for some time in Paris, before moving back to Copenhagen to set up your brand. What prompted you to return?

CECILIE BAHNSEN: I moved back to Copenhagen because I needed a change of pace; time to adjust my focus and develop my own style, without being influenced by the hectic tempo and high expectations of the world’s fashion capitals. I had an idea for a high-end fashion brand that expanded on Denmark’s architectural and design heritage, and I wanted to explore whether this was really possible.

CEREAL: How does the character of the city inform your work?

CB: I want my universe to be feminine and modern, mixing emotions and inherent beauty with the openness, simplicity, and pragmatism that come from my Danish background. I look to the intricacy and romance of London and Paris for inspiration, juxtaposing these elements with the Scandinavian minimalism and ease that are more in line with my personal sentiments. Design needs to feel effortless to me, and Copenhagen has a very relaxed quality, which is reflected in its approach to fashion.

I am drawn to the freshness and purity of the different styles and flourishes of color that you see on the streets here. Something that is important for me to share with the Copenhagen girls who wear Cecilie Bahnsen is the need to feel comfortable. Some of our dresses can be worn to a party on the weekend and thrown back on when Monday comes round, simply because that’s what you want to wear—nothing needs to be saved only for special occasions.

CEREAL: Do you have any particular rituals tied to the city when starting work on a new collection?

CB: During summertime, I go swimming in the sea before work. It really clears my head and gives me energy for the day ahead. I also love to begin my research and sketching at the Design Museum Danmark, with its extensive library and design archive.

CEREAL: When does Copenhagen feel most like home to you?

CB: To me, Copenhagen really comes alive in the summer. Everyone is outside, enjoying the sun and the nature around them. You bump into friends and family throughout the city and make the most of the long, bright days together. But there is also the feeling of home in fresh air, windy bike rides, and drinking coffee with friends outside, even when it is too cold to do so.

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