Founder Kristoffer Kongshaug fine-tunes and finesses Forza Collective's identity with a dynamic AW25 collection showcased in an underground carpark
Look, it’s tough out there. With so many talented designers failing to make it past their first couple of seasons, there’s something uplifting – poetic, even – about Forza Collective’s approach. Namely, eschewing esoteric reference points in favour of designing collections based on honest to god customer and retailer feedback. “It’s very much a reaction to what has worked for us previously,” says founder and creative director Kristoffer Kongshaug. Following a season that emphasised occasion dressing, for autumn/winter 2025 Forza is offering something a little more day-to-day. “We’re really pushing the ready-to-wear this time.”
To set the mood, Kongshaug opted for a location that’s notably anti-red carpet: an underground carpark. Set against the backdrop of concrete and to the tune of dark, pulsing beats, Forza presented a collection that was utterly wearable, heavy on easily-digestible pieces like bomber jackets, suiting, leather pants and faux fur coats. “It’s really about opening the dialogue to the customer,” says Kongshaug, noting that he had a bit of an epiphany when he popped by Selfridges and saw the Forza rack populated with vibrant jersey gowns. “It’s not an easy conversation to warm up to. I feel that we need some ice-breaking items in there.” In a way, the collection is a bit of course correction; finding a common ground between the nylon capsule through which Forza introduced itself and the flashy party dresses that came down the runway last season.
But a good ice-breaker can’t be boring. To that end, Forza finds clever details to make these wardrobe-building pieces all their own. Take the approach to grey wool suiting, for instance. The strong-shouldered jacket offers a fitted, long silhouette, creating an elegant elongated torso. The trousers feature a tapered leg and a side drape, designed to be worn with or without the jacket. That aforementioned faux fur, meanwhile, is belted and dip dyed orange and black, fashioned into belted coats, stoles and even a pair of short shorts. Bombers are frayed at the collar, leather trench coats graze the ground.
For those who have fallen in love with Forza’s fancier expressions, there are gowns, most notably a gathered ice blue jersey frock with a high neck that’s sure to grace a prominent red carpet any day now. There’s a little something for everyone or, as Kongshaug puts it, “It’s a true ready-to-wear collection”. Yes, he might be cleverly considered with this collection, but his ambitions are still grand: to be “the Danish version of Acne Studios”.
See all the looks from Forza Collective’s autumn/winter '25 collection below:
