Ganni Presents Autumn/Winter 2018 at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Presented in an industrial space in Copenhagen’s Refshaleøen docklands, Ganni this evening presented an AW18 collection full of the bohemian verve and flowing silhouettes for which it has gained its cult following. This season, Ganni’s Creative Director Ditte Reffstrup drew from three key inspirations for the collection: firstly, from the brand’s regular muse Frederikke Sofie, the Danish model who’s presence and fresh-faced beauty has informed much of Reffstrup’s work at Ganni; secondly, from Wim Wenders’ seminal film Wings of Desire, with its sombre guardian angels and luminous winged trapeze artist which can be seen subtly referenced throughout the collection; and finally, from the city of Copenhagen itself, an endless source of ideas for Reffstrup and the city of the everyday angels for whom she designs her clothes.

Titled Angels, the collection was presented on a set designed by the multi-talented photographer, model and designer Ana Kraš who was also commissioned to shoot some of Ditte and her husband Nicolaj’s favourite things in Copenhagen, from the bikes habitually chained to the city’s railings to a gorgeous plaster angel located in the museum next to Ganni’s headquarters. For the show itself, a mix of quintessential Danish pop songs comes courtesy of Blood Orange frontman Devonté Hynes, who visited the city last summer and quickly struck up a friendship with Ditte and Nicolaj.

The themes and inspirations of the collection are subtly woven throughout. Rhinestone-accented silk wool trousers, flowing dresses and luxurious, long woollen overcoats recall the luminous winged trapeze artist of Wings of Desire, while a classic double-denim look is reworked with Kraš’s images of Copenhagen layered print-on-print finished with a vintage wash. The collection’s hero pieces include a delicate draped dress in floral-printed white satin, a blue woven mesh dress adorned with laser-cut flowers and tiny pearls, and a jacket in snow-white shearling mixed with deep brown snakeskin-embossed calf leather. The colour palette combines white with black, pink and serene blue, while prints include hallmark Ganni symbols including flowers and animal stripes. Large embroidered polka dots appear on bags, dresses and tops, and images of angel wings decorate sweaters- T-shirts and socks. Everything is designed to move seamlessly with the body, from sand-washed silk dresses to sporty leisure-wear. Soft and effortlessly wearable, the Ganni Angels collection embodies the carefree spirit and easy grace of the Ganni girl.

I am always inspired by my environment and the people I see around Copenhagen. The FW18 collection celebrates earthly angels, those people you meet with a special aura and a particularly graceful way of moving. I love the film Wings of Desire and the idea that there are angels all over the city. They have something mysterious about them, something you can only sense but maybe not put into words. Right now, we need angels more than ever but you only need to look a little closer to find them.