Scandi Six: Copenhagen Fashion Week Essentials

It’s a struggle to be awake, coherent and looking acceptable by the end of Fashion Week, even when it’s not winter (did you know that mascara can literally freeze?). The whole concept of fashion week is pretty damn crazy. Fun, yes. But totally crazy.

Well, I can’t make it less crazy! But I can tell you what gets me through the week and looking (if not fabulously then at least) consistently normalish.

All Black Everything

I know you’re supposed to be fashion-interesting during Fashion Week but: a) I’m “press” so who cares and b) everything I own is black.

I usually pack a weekend bag before Fashion Week then live out of it. All black everything allows you to focus on layers and textures instead of prints, matching, and camera angles. I throw in a weirdo bag or shoe now and again when I’m feeling antsy.

Here’s how to get the look:

…And of course, black bra & underwear. Because I like to match, okay?

Negative Underwear Sieve Demi Bra and Brief

Shellac Manicure

I normally give myself manicures because it’s too damn expensive in Denmark but this is a special week. It’s hard enough to remember to brush my hair, now I have to check on whether my nails are chipped? No. No. I won’t do it. Nice nails are one of those things that aren’t really important but make me feel pulled-together and professional. A shellac manicure means that I don’t even have to think about my nails for two weeks. Yes please. Worth it.

Get a shellac manicure at BLOW CPH

Antioxidant-packed smoothie

It’s good practice to start every day with a one-two punch of vitamins and energy-providing foods. But when you’re on the go from the wee hours, it’s easier to just blend everything together and drink it through a straw. That’s what smoothies are for; they keep us trucking from sunrise to sunset with ingredients like chia seeds, walnuts, sunflower seeds and banana. Try out this recipe by Creative Director Freya for a delicious boost, day or night!

You can whip this together using a Nutribullet, or for serious smoothie enthusiasts, there’s the Vitamix, the gold standard of blenders.

Seriously Useful Products

Can you imagine what happens to your skin, body and mental health when you forsake sleep, exist solely on champagne and free-whatever-bites from countless sponsored events for 6 days ? It isn’t lovely. So you need to make sure that you take care of yourself. While I can’t recommend a good therapist, I can give you some tips on the stuff that get me through the week (and doesn’t cost an ungodly fortune):

Matas Dry Shampoo (50 ml): 17 DKK
Dry shampoo! Washing my hair less, still looking clean! I’ll take it. I keep this in my bag all week.

e.l.f. Waterproof Eyeliner Pen: 15 DKK
An eyeliner pen is perfect for someone like me, who, no matter the amount of time I have to get ready, cannot successfully put on liquid eyeliner evenly.

Dr. Bronner’s Rose Castille Soap: 89 DKK
I use Dr Bronner’s for my face, body and sometimes even hair. I like multi-tasking; it makes me feel productive.

A Bag That Holds It All

Everie CPH is a handbag company that focuses on Scandinavian style combined with personal tastes. You create a bag to fit your needs; what could be better?! For me, the black Blake tote is perfection; just a big ‘ole bag to throw all my crap in. Plus it looks good with, you know, all my other black clothing.

Copenhagen Fashion Week App

Invites are great, but knowing what’s actually happening in the city is what makes taking part in Copenhagen Fashion Week so exciting. There’s a lot going on that’s free and open to the public! Download the app to your smartphone for a full schedule of open events as well as all the runway shows and trade fairs. The app is free and can be downloaded here.

Are you excited for
Copenhagen Fashion Week?
We certainly are!