Since its debut in 2008, Collina Strada has had a hold on New Yorkers. The brand has earned its tenure thanks to its speciifc brand of off-duty clothing that speak to every kind of city dweller—the ones who prefer whimsy, the residents who refuse to blend in, and everyone in between. Those same New Yorkers are the ones who tend to worry when their favorite fashion brands start popping up at other cities' fashion weeks—The Row moving to Paris, for example, had the fashion set quaking. That's why we held our breath when we saw Collina Strada pop up on the Copenhagen Fashion Week schedule for Spring/Summer 2027. Could it be that another NYC brand was abandoning us for good?
Luckily, abandonment is completely off the table. Rather, the brand's creative director Hillary Taymour is using her spot as the International Guest at Copenhagen Fashion Week as an opportunity to represent New York globally, and showcase her creativity to an entirely new audience. Ahead, we chat with Taymour about why Copenhagen felt like the right place to pop up overseas, and how this show will differ from the one in New York this September.
For those being introduced (or reintroduced) to the brand, what is one thing they should know about you and your creative direction?
"Collina Strada has never been about perfection. It's about evolution, community, humor, sustainability, and making clothes that make you feel good. I want people to have fun with fashion while also thinking a little deeper about the systems behind it."
What does it mean to you to be the International Guest at Copenhagen Fashion Week this season?
"It's honestly such an honor. I've always admired what Copenhagen Fashion Week has been building around sustainability and supporting designers who are trying to push things forward. It feels really aligned with how we've always approached Collina Strada. The opportunity came together pretty organically, and it just felt like the right time to do something outside of New York."
Why are you excited about showing in Copenhagen?
"I've always wanted to do something more intimate in Europe. Copenhagen has such an amazing creative community, and people are genuinely curious and engaged with fashion in a different way. Plus the street style is giving..."
How will this show be different than the September show in NYC?
"I got to experiment with techniques and fabrics in a way that feels really special. With this collection, I'm not worried about end goals of price points, so I got to work more creatively. Whereas in NYC, all the pieces will go into the commercial collection."
What are you hoping the Copenhagen-based audience sees from your collection?
"I've always loved the balance in Copenhagen. People care about design, but it doesn't feel overly polished or precious. I hope people see the craftsmanship first. We spent so much time developing fabrics, weaving, layering textiles, and making custom ribbons. Some of these pieces took over a month just to create the fabric itself."
What was the process of putting this collection together like?
"This collection was really about staying true to the Collina Strada world. I wasn't trying to reinvent the brand—I wanted to show the essence of Collina in Copenhagen.
We experimented with weaving, fabric layering, and making our own ribbon trims. Copenhagen gave me the freedom to slow down and focus on those details. It became less about creating spectacle and more about celebrating the process."
Who do you see wearing the pieces that will walk the runway?
"I've never designed with one person in mind. I like when clothes find people instead of the other way around. I hope we will see these pieces in more red carpet, celebrity, and editorial dressing, as they are a bit more intricate than our current collections."
Tell us a bit about the scene—where did you choose to show? How did this location come together?
"For me, the location is never just a backdrop. It has to be part of the story. I was really lucky to be able to show at the Opera House here in CPH. The music and everything is just going to really make it all come alive."
What are the days leading up to a show like for you? Any day of traditions or rituals?
"Mostly controlled chaos. There's always something unexpected that needs solving, so I've learned to just embrace it.
I usually spend the days before the show making tiny adjustments to looks and checking the styling. Once the music comes on, it all becomes real; and then it's kind of out of your hands, which is actually my favorite part."
