What 3 fashion insiders are packing for Copenhagen Fashion Week

From the right statement shoes for running around the streets of Copenhagen, to the best airy dress for floating between runways and after parties – Vogue Scandinavia speaks to sustainability expert Emily Chan, Swedish model and artist Klara Kassman, and Hobnob Journal founder Linn Eklund about what they're bringing to CPHFW. Prepare to bask in rocker chic treasures, vintage Chanel pieces, and eco-conscious closet finds.

First and foremost, Norwegian It-girl Marianne Theodorsen is an ardent admirer of Copenhagen. “I absolutely love it – it’s my favourite city,” she says. Beyond being a fabulous destination for a city break, Copenhagen holds a special place in her heart for its fashion week, which she praises for its core values: “sustainability, diversity, inclusivity, and an overall relaxed vibe.” When thinking of Copenhagen Fashion Week, Theodorsen finds that both locals and attendees from abroad have a “more authentic approach to the way they dress” compared to other fashion events and destinations.

As the self-described “worst over-packer in history”, Theodorsen often finds herself lugging three heavy suitcases and a carry-on to Copenhagen. “I need to be prepared for all scenarios and I just love playing around with my outfits so much – it's impossible to pack light,” she says. "Pray for my back,” Theodorsen adds jokingly.

In terms of what will be within the aforementioned three suitcases, it’s a mish-mash of her signature colourful closet. “I have so many great vintage pieces I’ve found lately that I can’t wait to wear,” she says, listing a “huge oversized polo shirt” that she plans on wearing as a dress with “some cute heels”, a vintage Christian Dior blazer that she snapped up for 50 euros and a bevy of amazing vintage bags. “And comfy shoes! I really want to wear heels and be fabulous all week, but by day two my feet are pretty much dead and I need a sneaker break,” she laments. “Thankfully the Danes approve of sneakers with any outfit. They are the best at rocking that style.”

When asked about her best packing tips, Theodorsen suggests asking someone who is “actually good at packing” because her best advice is to get the largest bag you can and to fill it to the brim. “But I’ve heard you can get pretty far with just three tops, three bottoms and three pairs of shoes – just not for fashion week.”

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Finnish content creator Sofia Ruutu loves attending Copenhagen Fashion Week because in her words, “I feel like I get super inspired by all the impressions I get both on and off the catwalk. It’s all about meeting friends within the industry and just taking in the art of the fashion world.” Beyond that, Ruutu also feels ready to “kick off a new season after the summer.”

For Ruutu, packing for any trip is a long and thorough process. “I love starting at least a week in advance. I try on looks I like and always make sure to match my schedule with the exact looks I plan to wear,” she says. Most importantly, she always stays true to her own style: “A mix of good basics, always with a touch of something feminine.”

A week out, Ruutu is still a bit unsure about what she will be wearing. “But I always bring my favourite pair of vintage Levi’s jeans, a good trench coat and some fun shoes,” she says. “I’m always in the mood for leather for fall, so I think I’ll include some leather pieces into my packing.”

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Despite being a woman with a plan when it comes to packing, Ruutu is quick to point out that she, like Theodorsen, falls into the over-packer category. “After all, I am a mood dresser, so I make sure to have different options for my events and always include some extra pairs of shoes and styling options just because I never know exactly what I’ll be doing.” That said, her best tip to maximise your suitcase space is to make a list and to only “pack things you love and feel good wearing.”

For Copenhagen Fashion Week specifically, Ruutu finds packing a bit tricky. “You never know what the weather is going to be like,” she says. “Last autumn it was freezing cold and many of the shows were outdoors in the pouring rain.” She’s learned the hard way to always pack according to weather, including comfortable shoes and a nice raincoat.

Irish expat Verona Farrell finds that living in Stockholm, she’s come to view Copenhagen as the “cool younger sister”, and in the world of fashion weeks, the epithet fits the bill. “She’s welcoming, always has the best outfits, cares about the planet and is the hostess with the most-ess,” says Farrell.”

When asked about her approach to packing, Farrell describes herself as being in “a perpetual state of chaos.” “Because I have some sort of allergy to pre-planning outfits, my strategy during fashion weeks is to give myself as little time to get dressed as possible," she explains. "Then, I don’t have the time to battle with outfit indecision.” 

“I used to feel a bizarre kind of pressure to go over the top with my fashion week outfits in some sad attempt to fit in,” shares Farrell. “But on reflection, I’ve always looked back on those outfits and wondered what the hell I was thinking.” Today, Farrell finds inspiration in guests dressed authentically to themselves, not just as a runway-ready model for whatever show they attend. 

A serial over-packer, Farrell will forever view light-packers as “the coolest people in the world.” While over-packing has been her answer to avoiding the inevitable feeling that you have nothing to wear, her definition of over-packing has been broadened, having met “the hard-core guests that bring enough luggage to start a new life in Copenhagen.”

As for what she is planning to wear this season? “I thrifted a Saks Potts-esque purple sequin top at Humana that has been crying for a good night out, and I recently invested in an ankle-length dusty blue blazer from Tiger of Sweden that I’m imagining will be perfect for throwing over jeans and a tee if I feel like keeping it simple,” she says. 

Naturally, accessories are equally considered: “There simply is not an outfit my 10-year-anniversary bag from Paloma Wool does not go with, so I’m excited to bring her along this time,” she says. “And I have the most divine pair of flame-red Repetto ballerinas that hold the unicorn trait of being both cute and comfortable, perfect for a week of running around.”