From a strong short list of four entrepreneurial Danish brands, Sarah Brunnhuber, founder of Stem, emerged victorious, claiming the prestigious Wessel & Vett Fashio Prize
Since 2012, the independent Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize has shown an unwavering support to Danish fashion entrepreneurs. Now in its 12th year, the Prize has a history of endorsing leading international and local industry experts, having previously been awarded to brands such as Amalie Roege Hove, Cecilie Bahnsen, and Saks Potts, who have since emerged as prominent figures in both the Nordic and international fashion scenes. And now, Sarah Brunnhuber, founder of Stem, joins the lauded list of award alumni.
Held at Henrik Vibskov's studio, the prize ceremony left Brunnhuber momentarily speechless. “I’m sorry, I don’t know where to start,” she said immediately after receiving the award. “It felt like time slowed when they announced my name. At first, I didn’t even realise I’d won—I thought they were still listing the nominees.”
As for the prize itself, Stem will receive a cash prize of 500,000 DKK (€67,000) and a complimentary slot on the official show and presentation schedule for both AW25 and SS26 seasons at Copenhagen Fashion week, the coveted opening slot for AW25, and participation in Copenhagen Fashion Week’s symposium in London during London Fashion Week in June 2025. According to Brunnhuber, these opportunities mark a huge turning point for Stem as a brand. "I will be able to hire a full time employee for the first time, which feels huge," she says.
Photo: Nynne Henriksen
Sarah Brunnhuber presents her brand and the Stem Mill project. Photo: Nynne Henriksen
Photo: Nynne Henriksen
The four finalists, announced during the Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025 Opening Reception, were all meticulously selected by a panel of 12 industry heavy weights, spanning editors, designers, and creative powerhouses. As for the motivation behind picking Stem as this year's recipient, Nina Wedell-Wedellsborg, the founder of the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize shared: “Sarah really deserve this recognition for her commitment to sustainability and creativity that makes Stem stand out. She has a really visionary approach to fashion that deserves to be celebrated."
Beyond hiring a full-time employee, Brunnhuber has plans to open a weaving mill in Denmark with the prize money. "Of course we had to present the brand, and I opted to show samples of our handwoven pieces from the last five years. But another part of the process with the Wessel & Vett award was presenting a project, and we put together a book presenting the idea behind the Stem Mill, " shares Brunnhuber. "I think with fashion, it is a little bit like 'out of sight, out of mind,' but I believe bringing the production here can really change the way we approach fabric manufacturing, not only for Stem but for the industry as a whole. The infrastructure for textile recycling here in Denmark doesn't really exist, so with this we want to help other brands to produce more responsibly as well."
As for Brunnhuber's immediate future? “I’m planning to celebrate with my parents, who flew in for the occasion, and my boyfriend,” Brunnhuber smiled. “And take tomorrow off. I honestly can’t remember the last time I had a full day off.”