Freya Dalsjø’s Stunning Comeback Showcases Timeless Craftsmanship

Freya Dalsjø made a triumphant return to the runway at Nikolaj Kunsthal during Copenhagen Fashion Week, held in a venue that was once a place of worship. Her collection had a sense of procession, celebrating craftsmanship, materials, and a sense of rebirth.

Starting her business in 2012 after returning to Denmark to further develop her skills, Dalsjø has received support from the Danish Arts Foundation over the years. With a pause in 2020 due to Covid, she took the time to rethink her approach. The collection she presented was refined to purity, with each piece essential and timeless in design.

The show opened with a model in a raw-edged “paper” dress made of silk gazar and crepon, exuding an ethereal quality. The collection featured simple shapes and extraordinary proportions, with pieces that cocooned the body and others that exuded exuberance, like leather pieces with painted tips resembling stamens.

Geometric designs transformed into poetry with leather squares connected at the corners, creating cutouts that added a unique touch to a cape and skirt. Wood pieces carved by hand created music as models walked, showcasing intricate details. Nature’s chaos was captured in woven pieces resembling lichen covered bark, while woven basketry pieces paid homage to Danish and Japanese craft traditions.

Similar to Phoebe Philo, Dalsjø designs for women, focusing on timeless elegance and comfort. Her advocacy for slow fashion is evident in the collection, with a focus on craftsmanship, relaxed silhouettes, and comfortable materials that allow for ease of movement.

Returning to the public eye on her own terms, Dalsjø joins a select group of women showcasing their collections during Copenhagen Fashion Week. Embracing the slow fashion movement, she believes in creating pieces that are not only visually stunning but also practical and comfortable for everyday wear.

Freya Dalsjø’s collection is a testament to her dedication to craftsmanship and her unique approach to design. Each piece tells a story of artisanship and creativity, inviting the wearer to luxuriate in the beauty of slow fashion.