Cecilie Bahnsen's Copenhagen Office Embodies Scandinavian Minimalism

Cecilie Bahnsen wears pieces from her own collections about 90% of the time. More often than not, she's paired those feminine frocks with a sneaker—Salomons are a favorite. “It's always been about the flats,” she says. The founder of her eponymous label prefers to add an element of utility to offset her bulbous, ruffled confections. Bahnsen also finds inspiration in watching customers do the same, whether they're adding a hoodie or a pair of cargo trousers to the outfit equation. She’d rather see her sartorial flora against dripping wet hair or chunky sneakers than with a sparkly pair of heels. The pieces, more akin to sculpture than fashion, take on a new life with this contrast. The team's new Copenhagen office offers the same aesthetic foil.

In the Danish city's creative Osterbro neighborhood, Bahnsen's frothy feminine confections hang from chrome racks above concrete floors. Mirrors divide the space in two and offer a 360-degree view of each piece. She designed the office with the help of creative agency Moon, the architects at Stamuli. The furnishings, like the architecture, are sparse. The industrial space houses a Magniberg stainless steel chair, Studio X office tables and lighting, Paustian seating, and Artek stools (the latter are re-purposed from previous runway shows). If the furniture skews toward Scandinavian minimalism, even brutalism, the decor aligns more with the eccentricity of the fashion. Blobby, colorful glassware by friend and frequent collaborator Nina Nørgaard perches in various locations throughout the space. All of which bolster the essence of her brand.

Bahnsen received an MA from the The Royal College of Art in London then trained at John Galliano and Erdem. She launched her own label in 2015. A deep respect for construction instilled in her, the designers collections bloom from the fabric. "A lot of inspiration literally comes from this passion of just touching the fabric, making things with your hands," she explains. Moodboards come last. In retrospect, Bahnsen ruminates on her creations in order to expand her ideas from a handful of dresses to an immersive fashion show. This past Spring ‘23 season, the cohesive thread turned out to be a meditative take on water. So for the show, Nørgaard, with the help of Moon, constructed a glass installation which they then filled with water to serve as the de facto centerpiece.

In a similar fashion, the office design also came to fruition in response to the clothes. The curation served as an exercise in brand identity. The result exemplifies how the clothing translates to a comprehensive universe. Whether it’s a utilitarian shoe, a Magniberg metal chair, or a haunting playlist of synthesized beats, her designs grow more potent offset with these minimalist elements. Now, the team uses the space for photo shoots, private appointments, and meetings, in addition to their day-to-day creative process. Gallery-like in nature and design, the office is Bahnsen's own creative laboratory. “It's an experimental place for us to define who we are, not just as a clothing brand.” Glimpse inside the Danish brand's creative haven below.