Even when the Danish powerhouse isn't showing on the Copenhagen Fashion Week schedule, it delivers in spades as a NewTalent patron. Here, Vogue Scandinavia chats to Ganni's creative director Ditte Reffstrup about its latest project in partnership with New Balance and a slew of buzzy creatives, which will culminate in the next T500 drop (spoiler: it has a lick of leopard)
While the recent absence of Ganni on the Copenhagen Fashion Week roster can sometimes feel palpable, there is no doubt the cult Danish brand is busier than ever. This year, Ganni became a proud patron of CPHFW's NewTalent scheme, providing biannual financial bursary to help elevate the stars of tomorrow. On top of this, the brand – alongside its own ready-to-wear and accessories lines – maintains its close ties with New Balance after a series of sell-out sneaker collaborations.
All of this is spawning exciting outcomes for the future months. First up, a celebration of the New Balance T500 itself, the shoe which has brought together the popular marriage of brands since 2022. Just as New Balance has let Ganni turn the shoe into a creative canvas, Ganni has now passed on that privilege to the next generation of Copenhagen's creative talent. In alignment with its NewTalent patron role, Ganni has called on four young talents: Camilla Skov, Ojuna Njama Petersen, Bonnetje and Alectra Rothschild / Masculina (the latter two of which packed a punch on the SS25 runways this season). Each contributes their own one-off interpretation of the Ganni x New Balance T500 shoe, exploring the possibilities of the silhouette. Whether crafting a ceramic interpretation of the shoe or creating a woolen felt iteration, these creatives will redefine the limits of artistic expression, finding their creative "new balance."
An interpretation by Camilla Skov. Photo: Angela Djekic
An interpretation by Alectra Rothschild / Masculina. Photo: Angela Djekic
Ojuna Njama. Photo: Angela Djekic
"We first worked with Alectra from Masculina last season in February, and I just love the authenticity of her brand and her dedication to her community. It’s without compromise, and I just love that," says Ditte Reffstrup, Ganni's creative director. "Bonnetje was named one to watch this season, and I am drawn to their playful approach to tailoring that feels very fresh," Reffstrup goes on. "The two artists, Camilla Skov and Ojuna Njama Petersen, stand out to me for their unique practices. We have always felt inspired by mixing the medium of art and fashion in a way that feels fun and approachable, and that’s exactly what we wanted this project to be."
The project follows Ganni's 'FUTURE, TALENT, FABRICS' exhibition which came to life in February in Copenhagen, engaging seven rising talents to create bespoke designs using innovative materials from its 'Fabrics of the Future' program. "I was blown away by the creativity and originality that went into the work," says Reffstrup, reflecting on the previous exhibition. "So this season, it was a must for us to allow for as much creative freedom as possible. Really allowing the talents to unfold in their own voice has been so much fun!"
An interpretation by Bonnetje. Photo: Courtesy of Ganni
In celebration of the T500 project, there will be an exhibition to showcase the four unique designs at the flagship Ganni Bremerholm store in September. This will coincide with the launch of the latest T500 design – which is revealed to eager legions of fans today.
"The T500 silhouette is a true archival favourite for me and it was an honour to be invited to reinterpret this iconic shoe some 40 years after its inception."
Ditte Reffstrup, creative director of Ganni
Destined for sold-out status, the new design sees the T500 in a clean white-out colourway, save for the lick of signature leopard at the counter area of the heel to, in Reffstrup's words, "make it feel unmistakably Ganni". "We have been doing leopard prints at Ganni consistently across collections for as far back as I can remember," Reffstrup notes. "It’s our version of black, and the leopard print we have has been our classic print for over a decade. With the shoe being more of an evergreen, we wanted to create a shoe that felt like a true classic, something that felt time-transcendent yet contemporary. It’s a balance!"
Photo: Angela Djekic
Photo: Angela Djekic
The other details are very subtle, like the yellow co-branding on the tongue and small silver logo charms on the lace-up fronts. For Reffstrup, it was a conscious choice together with New Balance to keep it more pared-back. "Unexpectedly, I like the more quiet and classic nature of the shoe," Reffstrup says. "I think it’s really a shoe that invites you to wear it your own way," she adds.
"The T500 silhouette is a true archival favourite for me and it was an honour to be invited to reinterpret this iconic shoe some 40 years after its inception."