Small talks – big conversations: AW25 Talk Program with Vogue Business

Our AW25 talk series with Vogue Business as media partner make up a vital element of the official schedule each season, representing an opportunity to dig deeper into wider issues facing fashion.

Once again, this AW25 Copenhagen Fashion Week will bring the talk program to a live audience, with a dedicated talk being held each day in the Copenhagen Fashion Week Talk hub hosted in the Polestar Space, right in the center of the city.

Attendance to the talk program is open to the public and will be on a first come first served basis and will include a 30-minute panel talk followed by a 15-minute Q&A. The talk will activate the global network of Copenhagen Fashion Week, inviting industry leaders from a variety of organisations and practices to speak across the topics at hand.

Furthermore, Copenhagen Fashion Week is excited to announce Vogue Business as an official media partner, who will use their global audience to amplify the reach of the talks that will be launched as podcasts post release.

Fashion Pathways: Exploring Creative Careers

Dive into the expanding pool of fashion careers in this thought-provoking panel, featuring voices who’ve forged a unique path into the industry beyond conventional routes. This discussion reveals that there is no one way to succeed in the fashion industry. Learn how these panelists have navigated challenges, unexpected opportunities, and discovered their distinctive niches. This session will explore the limitless possibilities of a creative career in fashion.

Monday, 27 January / 11:00 – 11:45 CET / Polestar Space, Kristen Bernikows Gade 3, 1105 Copenhagen K

Moderator:

Olya Kuryshchuk, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, 1 Granary

Olya Kuryshchuk is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of 1 Granary, a leading global fashion education platform and creative network. With a focus on fashion design, 1 Granary uses its print, digital content, events, recruitment and brand development program to drive positive change in the fashion industry and provide practical resources for the next generation of creative minds. Through the unique designer network built through 1 Granary, Olya is one of the industry’s leading experts in talent acquisition and development, scouting design talent and building holistic brand strategy, ranging from design and production to communication and marketing.

Panelists:

Akanksha Deo Sharma, Designer and Artist

Akanksha Deo Sharma is an Indian artist and multidisciplinary designer at IKEA, celebrated for her innovative approach to integrating craft and sustainability in design. Recognized in Forbes India’s 30 Under 30, Sharma combines her fashion design foundation with a deep commitment to working with craft communities, exploring the relationship between materials, heritage, and societal evolution. Her projects often incorporate new and waste materials, as seen in her FÖRÄNDRING initiative, which transforms rice straw into new renewable material. Featured in Wallpaper, Vogue, and Dezeen, she is also a TEDx speaker, One Young World ambassador, and mentor, advocating for design as a tool for social change. Dividing her time between Copenhagen, Malmö, and Delhi, Sharma continues to explore how design can address the changing needs of society.

Beth Esponnette, CPO, Co-Founder, and Chair of the board, unspun™

Meet Beth, the co-founder and chief product officer of unspun. Beth grew up in the backwoods of Maine, where her admiration for the natural world began. She witnessed the perfect, circular lifecycles of nature every day and aspired to recreate this balance in the human world. When she started in fashion out of college, she quickly felt that she was fueling an industry that was turning precious resources into trash. She wanted to invent a more sustainable and circular way to create fashion and believed that the industry needed a radical shift towards on-demand and additive manufacturing. While studying for her master's at Stanford University, Beth founded unspun and brought in a talented team of co-founders to build the future of fashion.

Faith Robinson, Head of Content, Global Fashion Agenda

After working internationally in the creative industries for a decade, Faith has developed a reputation for carefully mediating different approaches to sustainability in the context of the global fashion sector. Faith got started in research with London-based trends intelligence business Stylus before moving to Copenhagen in 2018 to work with Global Fashion Agenda. Alongside a fascinating breadth of cultural consultancy, she has a research interest in degrowth theory. Separately, Faith has worked on special projects as a business, non-profit, education and governmental advisor. Following an Art History BA, she is a Fellow at the Royal Society of Arts and a member within a number of sustainable fashion industry research networks, editorial boards and mentorship programmes. In 2024, Faith was listed as Sustainability Thought Leader in The Vogue Business 100 Innovators.

Naïma Chamberlayne, Head of Footwear & Accessories, Samsøe Samsøe

Naïma’s story is an interesting journey of cultural richness, career success, and a transition toward more sustainable and responsible practices in fashion. Her early years, split between Africa and Paris, shaped her unique perspective and connection to diverse cultures, influencing her aesthetic and approach to design. Moving to London at 18, she entered the world of fashion during the peak of the "It bag" era, a period where accessories were more than just functional—they became key status symbols. Her most notable achievement was leading the team responsible for the creation of the iconic Pippa bag. This design, which became famous after being worn by Pippa Middleton and members of the British Royal Family. Her experience also extends to overseeing global accessories & footwear collections for major contemporary brands, such as Calvin Klein Jeans, solidifying her keen interest in the fashion accessories space.Today, living and working in Copenhagen, Naïma has redefined her professional journey by working with the Danish cult brand Stine Goya as Product Director. Her focus now is on Growing footwear & Accessories development at Samsøe Samsøe, bringing her wealth of experience to create product strategies that prioritize environmental impact, ethical production, and innovation. Naïma's journey represents not only personal growth but also a shift in the fashion industry towards more conscious and responsible practices, aligning with current trends toward sustainability and inclusivity.

Tina Lemke, Marketing & Brand Experience Manager, OnceMore®

Tina Lemke has a background in fashion, with experience working at various Swedish brands such as Lindex and Vagabond Shoemakers. She has extensive expertise in digital marketing and marketing, primarily serving as a project manager for digital projects and sales. In early 2023, her career embarked on an exciting new chapter. As the Marketing & Brand Experience Manager at OnceMore® from Södra, Tina plays a pivotal role in transforming the fashion industry by raising awareness about textile-to-textile recycling and the innovative MMCF process and products.

The Future of Inclusive Design: Challenges and Opportunities in Adaptive Fashion

This talk will be a two part series, connecting the AW25 and SS26 edition, with part one exploring the challenges and avenues for change, and part two looking to case studies of brands leading in designing for positive impact and pioneers in this field.

Tuesday, 28 January / 14:00 – 14:45 CET / Polestar Space, Kristen Bernikows Gade 3, 1105 Copenhagen K

Moderator:

Claudia Rose Walder, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Able Zine

Claudia Rose is the founder and editor-in-chief of Able Zine, a publication and creative agency dedicated to increasing representation and opportunities for disabled and chronically ill creatives and communities. She works as a DEI consultant, writer and creative practitioner. Her passion for disability rights comes from lived experience. Claudia has been spotlighted for her activism by Vogue and the Dazed 100. She has worked with brands and organisations, including Nike, Adidas, The V&A Museum, Vogue, BBC, Zalando and the Centre for Conscious Design.

Panelists:

Jemma Garner, Team Lead Product D&I Strategy at Zalando

Jemma Garner is a British expert with over seven years at Zalando in Berlin, currently serving as Principal Business Developer for Diversity and Inclusion. With a strong background in buying, sourcing, and brand strategy, she has also worked at House of Fraser and Boux Avenue. Jemma combines her industry expertise with a passion for fostering inclusivity and driving meaningful business impact.

Louise Linderoth, Adaptive Designer & Entrepreneur

Louise Linderoth is a Swedish fashion designer known for her inclusive approach to design, specifically creating garments for individuals who use wheelchairs. After sustaining a spinal cord injury at the age of 10, Linderoth’s personal experiences significantly influenced her work. One of the strongest driving forces for her creativity is seeing possibilities to influence representation and opening avenues to a more body-inclusive fashion world. Her brand, Lou Dehrot, focuses on stylish and functional clothing for people who sit for extended periods. Linderoth has received recognition for her innovative designs, including winning the Grand Prix Inclusive Design 2022. One of her notable collaborations includes working with Dr. Denim and Zalando to launch one of the world’s first jeans designed specifically for a seated position.

Victoria Hjulmand, Model

Victoria Hjulmand is an 18-year-old model with a deep passion for modeling and dancing. She has been modeling since she was 16, and has fallen in love with the industry. Alongside modeling, she has been dancing since she was two or three, and dance has always been a huge part of her life. Growing up, she learned to be independent at a very young age. Born with only half of her left arm, she’s never seen it as a disability—it’s simply a part of who she is. The world of dance and modeling has played a major role in shaping the confidence she has today, constantly striving to grow and inspire others through her work and passions.

Empowering Visionaries: Supporting Fashion’s Next Gen Creatives

The future of fashion lies in the hands of emerging talent, but how to ensure they succeed in an ever-competitive industry? This session explores the systems, mentorships, and resources needed to empower the next generation of designers, artists, and innovators. Industry leaders and up-and-coming creatives will discuss bridging gaps in access, fostering sustainable practices, and building resilient communities. Gain insights into creating equitable opportunities that enable fresh voices to thrive while contributing to a growing fashion ecosystem.

Wednesday, 29 January / 14:00 – 14:45 CET / Polestar Space, Kristen Bernikows Gade 3, 1105 Copenhagen K

Moderator:

Kirsty McGregor, Executive European Editor, Vogue Business

Kirsty McGregor is Executive European Editor at Vogue Business, where she guides the content strategy with a focus on the sustainability and cultural trends that are impacting the fashion and beauty industries. She was previously Editor of UK-based fashion trade magazine Drapers, and has a background of social policy journalism.

Panelists:

Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO, Copenhagen Fashion Week

Cecilie Thorsmark is the CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week. Following Thorsmark’s appointment in 2018 came her announcement to transition the event into a pioneering industry platform and organisation with the capacity to further the industry’s sustainability potential. In January 2020, Thorsmark launched the ambitious three-year action plan “Reinventing Copenhagen Fashion Week” presenting an innovative system of minimum sustainability requirements for all brands on the official show schedule. The system successfully came into effect in 2023, making Copenhagen Fashion Week the first and only fashion week worldwide to introduce a mandatory set of sustainability requirements. In 2022, Thorsmark was inaugurated into The BoF 500, the definitive professional index of the people shaping the $2.4 trillion fashion industry. Prior to joining Copenhagen Fashion Week, Thorsmark held the position of Global Fashion Agenda’s Communication Director for two years, following a six-year tenure at the Danish Fashion Institute.

Denise Christensen, CEO, Birger Christensen Collective

Denise Christensen is the Chief Executive Officer for the renowned Copenhagen Fashion collective, Birger Christensen Collective. On joining BCC in 2017, Christensen transformed the heritage brand to the contemporary hub for new talent that it is today, collaborating with Jeanette Madsen and Thora Valdimars to create ROTATE in 2018, and subsequently starting the brand REMAIN as a counterpart in 2019. Christensen’s prolific career in Wholesale, Retail and General Management at some of Denmark’s leading Fashion and Luxury companies has informed her successful approach to commercial strategies and brand positioning, seeing the value in collaboration and celebrating new talent both within and outside of the Birger Christensen Collective family.

Hacinta Naidoo, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Zalando

Hacinta Naidoo, a South African-born leader, is Head of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) at Zalando. Guiding the team responsible for the D&I strategy and governance, she is driving the pan-European company towards becoming a trailblazer in equity and inclusion. With a wealth of experience in organisational change and talent acquisition from her time at renowned companies like Ralph Lauren, Hacinta is deeply committed to fostering a workplace where diversity thrives, and everyone has a fair chance to succeed. Passionate about shaping the future, she believes that we hold the responsibility to ensure equitable opportunities for the next generation, setting the stage for lasting change.

Omoyemi Akerele, Founder and Executive Director of Lagos Fashion Week and Style House Files

Omoyemi Akerele is the Founder and Executive Director of Lagos Fashion Week and Style House Files, a pioneering fashion business development agency. With over two decades of experience, she has been instrumental in shaping the African fashion landscape and positioning it as a key player in the global creative economy.Through Lagos Fashion Week, Omoyemi provides a dynamic platform for discovering and showcasing African talent while fostering connections between designers, investors, and global markets. Her work with Style House Files focuses on driving sustainable growth within the textile and apparel sectors, advocating for circular fashion practices, and empowering creative businesses to thrive locally and internationally. Omoyemi collaborates with organizations like Prosper Africa and the United Nations’ SheTrades initiative to promote industrial garment production and capacity building for export and local markets. She is also a trusted voice on global advisory councils, including the Sustainable Markets Initiative (Africa Council), the State of Fashion (Netherlands), and the Mastercard Foundation (Nigeria). A recognized thought leader and member of the Business of Fashion Global 500 index since inception, Omoyemi is committed to transforming Africa’s fashion industry into a globally respected, environmentally responsible, and economically empowering force.

Sara Sozzani Maino, Creative Director Fondazione Sozzani and International New Talent and Brands Ambassador Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana

Sara Sozzani Maino is deeply committed to responsibility, education, and addressing social issues, particularly within the fashion industry and known for her work in nurturing and promoting emerging talent. Appointed International Brand Ambassador for the National Chamber of Italian Fashion. Since 2021 Sara Sozzani Maino plays an active role in the Fondazione Sozzani as its creative director.

Expanding Horizons: Vital Change Needed in Fashion Inclusivity

The fashion industry is undergoing a powerful transformation, with inclusivity driving change through design, diverse casting, and authentic storytelling. This talk explores the transformative power of representation, exploring how brands and creatives are breaking barriers to create a more authentic and equitable industry. Hear from panelists who are actively pushing for a future where fashion celebrates every identity, body, and culture. The conversation will look towards actionable steps toward a more inclusive and forward thinking fashion landscape.

Thursday, 30 January / 14:00 – 14:45 CET / Polestar Space, Kristen Bernikows Gade 3, 1105 Copenhagen K

Moderator:

Lucy Maguire, Senior Trends Editor, Vogue Business

Lucy Maguire is senior trends editor at Vogue Business. Alongside her focus on fashion consumer trends, digital strategies, and youth culture, Lucy leads the Vogue Business Next-Gen Edit, spotlighting emerging brands and startups across the fashion and beauty industries. She has previously worked with the Vogue Global Network, Suzy Menkes and British Vogue.

Panelists:

Aida Sowe, Model and Founder of AISO Official

Aida Sowe began her modeling career in 2015 with a contract in London, which opened doors to opportunities in New York and across Europe. Witnessing the industry’s inner workings inspired her to join the Standard Charter Board in 2023, where she works to advocate for a safer and more inclusive environment for models in Denmark. In 2021, she ventured into entrepreneurship, launching AISO Official—a brand selling alternative bra solutions. Her vision for AISO is to create a truly diverse universe, not just in its campaigns but within the organization as well, fostering inclusivity at every level.

Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO, Copenhagen Fashion Week

Cecilie Thorsmark is the CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week. Following Thorsmark’s appointment in 2018 came her announcement to transition the event into a pioneering industry platform and organisation with the capacity to further the industry’s sustainability potential. In January 2020, Thorsmark launched the ambitious three-year action plan “Reinventing Copenhagen Fashion Week” presenting an innovative system of minimum sustainability requirements for all brands on the official show schedule. The system successfully came into effect in 2023, making Copenhagen Fashion Week the first and only fashion week worldwide to introduce a mandatory set of sustainability requirements. In 2022, Thorsmark was inaugurated into The BoF 500, the definitive professional index of the people shaping the $2.4 trillion fashion industry. Prior to joining Copenhagen Fashion Week, Thorsmark held the position of Global Fashion Agenda’s Communication Director for two years, following a six-year tenure at the Danish Fashion Institute.

Emma Matell, Casting Director

Emma Matell is one of the industry's most astute, progressive young voices in casting. Hailing from Copenhagen, and based in London, her ethos is guided by a desire to afford visibility to bodies and identities that have historically been absent from prestigious fashion narratives. Ethically conscious and all-encompassing, Emma's work is a testament to her generation & social attitudes, and positions her as a key figure in the introduction of unexpected and radical perspectives on beauty to contemporary fashions visual discourse. Emma regularly collaborates with photographers of the caliber of Sharna Osborne, Harley Weir, John Yuyi & Casper Sejersen.

Mona Mohammed Ali, Founder and CEO, FIIRI agency

Mona Mohammed Ali is a Somali-Scandinavian entrepreneur with a degree in Fashion Design and Marketing from London. After a decade in the fashion industry, she returned to Scandinavia in 2019 to champion diversity and inclusivity. In 2020, she launched FIIRI Agency — the region’s first diverse modeling and inclusive creative agency, rooted in the need for greater racial representation and uplifting BIPOC talents both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Mona was also the first DEI Editor at Vogue Scandinavia, where she worked to create more representation within the Scandinavian fashion industry, redefining what diversity truly means.

Past, Present and Future: The Preservation and Modernization of Craft

Craft lies at the heart of fashion’s identity, embodying both cultural heritage and modern artistry. Join this dialogue on the evolution of craft and its relevance in contemporary design and the evolving fashion industry. Panelists will discuss preserving traditional techniques, while integrating new technologies and sustainable practices. Discover how craft remains vital in telling stories, fostering local communities and social economies, and adapting to a changing industry. This talk aims to find a deeper appreciation of fashion as both an art and tool for innovative change.

Friday, 31 January / 11:00 – 11:45 CET / Polestar Space, Kristen Bernikows Gade 3, 1105 Copenhagen K

Moderator:

Veronica D'Souza, Sustainability Leadership and Social Entrepreneur

Veronica D’Souza is an award-winning entrepreneur and visionary leader redefining business through equity, sustainability, and transformative design. As the founder of CARCEL, she pioneered a groundbreaking fashion model by employing women in prison to craft garments from 100% natural materials, blending social justice with exceptional design. With 15 years of global experience across industries and regions, she champions authenticity, inclusion, and systemic change. Veronica’s work inspires a bold and regenerative future for fashion and business.

Panelists:

Arnar Már Jónsson & Luke Stevens, Founders, Ranra

Ranra explores the art of garment making to craft menswear that blends cultural history, ecological consideration, and technical innovation. Learning from and responding to nature, Ranra utilizes natural fibers and dying, and heritage textile techniques to refine the modern wardrobe. Ranra was founded by Arnar Már Jónsson and Luke Stevens, both graduates of the Royal College of Art’s prestigious Menswear program. Through encyclopedic knowledge of the histories of textile manufacture, sportswear and military workwear, alongside unparalleled experience consulting for and collaborating with brands, they have developed a timeless, pragmatic, and original approach to menswear unlike anyone else.

Cengiz Güdücü, Multidisciplinary Artist and Designer

Designer and Multi-artist Cengiz Güdücü established his namesake brand from a basement in Copenhagen in 2022, after graduating from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Art, School of Design in 2021. Born and raised in the Sydhavn neighborhood of Copenhagen, Designer and Multi-Artist Cengiz Güdücü draws inspiration from his adolescent surroundings and his Kurdish heritage.

Else Skjold, Associate Professor, PhD in design and sustainability at the Royal Danish Academy

Else Skjold is the head of Klothing – Centre for Apparel, Textiles and Ecology Research and founder of the MA program Fashion, Clothing & Textiles – New Landscapes for Change, at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen. She is also workstream leader for textiles in the Danish national mission-based partnership for circular economy of plastics and textiles, TRACE (trace.dk).

Freya Dalsjø, Designer

Freya studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp before establishing her namesake label in 2012. Freya has received generous recognition fx. the 3-year grant given by the Danish Arts Foundation and "påskønnelseslegatet" by the Danish National Bank.

Serena Coelho, Fashion Designer, Artisan, Artist

Serena Coelho is a Brazilian fashion designer, artisan, and artist based in Denmark, whose work operates at the intersection of sustainability, craftsmanship, and technology. She began her journey in fashion through craftsmanship, immersing herself in tailoring and industrial construction practices that have transformed her design approach. By blending traditional artisanal techniques with advanced industrial and technological innovation - such as 3D printing, mechanic engineering, AR, and AI-assisted design- Serena redefines the possibilities of craftsmanship, preserving its cultural significance while adapting it to contemporary and innovative contexts. In recent years, the designer has shifted her focus beyond traditional product development to explore new ways of engaging audiences with fashion. Through exhibitions and multidisciplinary immersive experiences presented in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Lithuania, and other countries, she offers alternative approaches to fashion that emphasise creativity, inclusivity, and audience interaction. Her practice fosters multi-sensory, community-driven experiences, positioning fashion as a medium for meaningful cultural dialogue and shared connection. Serena’s work has earned her significant recognition, including a degree with honours from the Royal Danish Academy, the Design and Crafts New Talent grant awarded by the Danish Arts Foundation, and others