On a warm summer evening during Copenhagen Fashion Week, the atmosphere at the opening of Mfpen’s first standalone store was electric. The crowd, dressed in modern and refined outfits, spilled onto the street outside, eager to celebrate not only the launch but a major moment in Danish menswear. Housed in a raw, industrial-style space with metal-frame shelving and minimalist decor, the shop reflected the signature style of Danish design: clean, functional, and understated.
While Denmark has long been celebrated globally for its modernist design legacy—think Verner Panton’s sculptural chairs, Poul Henningsen’s layered lamps, and the iconic architectural work of Jørn Utzon—fashion is now firmly a part of the country’s design narrative. Over the past decade, Copenhagen has risen as a fashion capital, especially in womenswear with brands like Ganni, Cecilie Bahnsen, and Saks Potts. But a wave of Danish menswear labels is now stepping confidently into the spotlight.
Mfpen’s founder, Sigurd Bank, launched the label in 2015, and it has since gained international traction across the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Australia—a market he describes as “massive.” Bank, who was recently nominated for the prestigious LVMH Prize, sees this as a breakthrough moment for Scandinavian menswear. Reflecting on the early days of the region’s menswear scene, Bank recalls brands like Norse Projects and NN07, before minimalism became mass-produced by global retailers.
“The aesthetic of Scandinavia comes and goes, but right now it is having a moment,” Bank says.
Mfpen’s designs reinterpret classic menswear with a modern twist—shirts are the brand’s top sellers, ranging from traditional striped button-ups to bold, semi-sheer floral jacquards. Tailored trousers with clean pleats, cropped zip jackets, and boxy blazers form the backbone of the brand’s appeal.
Bank says Mfpen fits within the broader tradition of Danish design, which values subtlety and function over flash. “When you need to make something simple stand out, you have to do it better somehow,” he explains. “We do very traditional menswear. We don’t try to make stuff that turns heads—it’s more in the detail, in the fabric. It’s these very Danish things.”
Other brands share that ethos. Another Aspect, launched in 2019, focuses on “evergreen staples” made with premium fabrics and ethical production. Its collections include flat-front trousers, Harrington jackets, soft polo shirts, and wide-leg denim. Designer Daniel Brøndt says, “Danish menswear is good at the functional meeting the form. We look past the noise, to create things that are simple but still visually beautiful.”
Brøndt also attributes the recent popularity of Danish style to Copenhagen’s rising global profile, thanks in part to its booming culinary scene led by restaurants like Noma. This exposure has attracted a discerning global audience that values both aesthetics and authenticity.
Brands like Sunflower and Berner Kühl present a more polished take on Danish minimalism. Their collections include structured leather jackets, twill suits, and high-gloss two-pieces. These labels build on the Scandinavian tradition of clean lines but infuse it with a modern, slightly more refined energy.
Then there’s Palmes, founded in 2021, which merges sportswear with streetwear and tailoring. Rooted in tennis culture, the label blends pique polos, track pants, and tailored jackets for an aesthetic that bridges leisure and luxury. Designer Nikolaj Hansson explains, “We stray a bit outside the traditional notion of Danish menswear… we interpret minimalism through a more contemporary and playful scope.”
Hansson’s designs reflect his broader cultural influences—art, architecture, and design—all through the lens of tennis. His high-low style often includes pairing a blazer with a hoodie and jeans. Even as an outlier, Palmes remains grounded in the Danish tradition of honest, high-quality design for everyday wear.
Australian retailer Incu, which stocks Mfpen, Norse Projects, and NN07, sees Danish menswear as a natural fit for the local market. Jeremy Molcanovs, Incu’s menswear buyer, says it’s the combination of high-quality details and effortless wearability that resonates. “It’s got a high attention to detail while being super effortless, worn in a really casual way,” he explains.
Molcanovs believes this synergy is rooted in lifestyle similarities between Australians and Danes—both cultures value laid-back style, a connection to nature, and quality over excess. Danish clothing, with its relaxed silhouettes and neutral tones, suits the Australian climate and mindset.
One of the key advantages of Danish brands is their pricing strategy. While many fashion houses inflate prices for the sake of luxury branding, Danish labels like Mfpen focus on offering premium quality at accessible prices.
“There’s so much fashion that’s so expensive,” Bank says. “We work with the same factories and order the same fabrics as many of our much more expensive competitors. But we do the margins and figure out the price we can actually sell the clothes for—without just adding a markup to seem more exclusive.”
Rather than chase a luxury market, Mfpen aims to serve a younger, more grounded demographic. “I would like cool people to buy the product, who don’t necessarily have a [huge] amount of money,” Bank adds. “Our product comes with a price, but it also comes with a very high quality.”
At its core, Danish menswear offers a blueprint for modern dressing—subtle, functional, and rooted in a deep design tradition. Its emphasis on simplicity doesn’t mean boring; rather, it’s about stripping back excess to allow quality and form to speak for themselves.
For Australian men looking to refine their wardrobe, the lessons from Danish designers are clear: choose pieces that balance utility and style, focus on quality materials, and dress with an effortless ease that feels as good as it looks. Whether it’s a crisp shirt from Mfpen or a relaxed pair of trousers from Another Aspect, the Danish approach to menswear is redefining how men around the world—and in Australia—choose to dress.
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