As the Nordic region’s most coveted and influential fashion award enters its thirteenth year, the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize 2025 continues its mission to spotlight and elevate the very best in Danish design.
Founder Nina Wedell-Wedellsborg officially revealed the three finalists for this year’s prize at the opening reception of Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/ Summer 2026. The brands – MFPEN, Nicklas Skovgaard, and STEL – represent a dynamic and diverse cross-section of Danish fashion, and were chosen for their vision, innovation, and potential to make an impact on the global fashion stage.
Rather than solely concentrating on emerging talent, the Wessel and Vett Prize focuses on championing more established brands and experienced designers.
“This year is particularly special, as I know each of the finalists personally – all of whom have been recognised before for their exceptional talent”, says Wedell-Wedellsborg.
“At the Wessel & Vett Foundation, we wish to pay tribute to these more established designers and brands who have worked tirelessly over the years to carve out a distinctive signature and a powerful voice within the fashion landscape.”
Wedell-Wedellsborg, great-great-granddaughter of Emil Vett, who co-founded the department store chain Magasin du Nord in 1868, sees the prize as a continuation of her family’s legacy.
“For me, this is deeply personal,” she notes. “Magasin du Nord was founded on the principles of entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, design and business. We still hold fast to these founding principles – they remain the compass by which we guide and support the next generation of fashion talent.”
“This competition celebrates designers who not only create with vision, but who also have the skill and drive to build enduring, influential brands – in Denmark and on the world stage.”
Ahead of the winner announcement, the finalists will present their collections and business visions at the official W&VFP final event on October 23.
The winner will receive a cash award of 500,000 DKK (£58,000) and unlock an unparalleled platform of international exposure, including a complimentary show slot on the official Copenhagen Fashion Week schedule for AW26 and SS27. With past winners including Cecelie Bahnsen, Amalie Roege Hove, Saks Potts, and most recently Stem, the prize is a powerful springboard for designers poised to shap the future of both Danish and global fashion.
Founded in 2015 by Sigurd Bank, Copenhagen-based MFPEN is a menswear label known for its refined minimalism and sustainable production ethos. Drawing from a background in sourcing and production, Bank has built a brand that makes conscious use of deadstock fabrics, organic cotton, and recycled materials, resulting in garments that are understated, voluminous, and ethically responsible.
“We have a minimal Scandi approach,” says Bank, “but we also push the aesthetic with sub- and countercultural elements.”
Now stocked in over 70 stores worldwide, the brand is shifting focus to international retail expansion and deepening relationships. MFPEN’s recent foray into womenswear signals the brand’s evolution while maintaining its distinctive DNA.
Danish designer Nicklas Skovgaard is known for his innovative and theatrical approach to womenswear. Self-taught and instinctively creative, Skovgaard’s practice began with a thrifted children’s loom and has since evolved into a unique blend of hand-woven textiles, baroque references, and ’80s pop culture motifs.
Founded in 2020, Skovgaard’s label is celebrated for its bold fusion of unexpected materials and is a departure from Danish fashion’s minimalist reputation.
“I believe my brand offers a new take on Danish fashion”, says Skovgaard. “For some time, I’ve felt that many people associate Danish fashion primarily with minimalism, but to me, it’s so much more than that.
“Denmark has a long and rich heritage of exceptional artists, architects, and designers, and I aim to carry that legacy forward while pushing boundaries and exploring new perspectives.
“My dream is to see the brand grow steadily and sustainably into a larger business. I want it to maintain its integrity while expanding internationally – reaching new audiences, but always staying true to the values and creative vision that shapes it in its early years.”
A newer addition to the Danish fashion landscape, STEL was launched in 2024 by designer Astrid Andersen. With a name that translates to “body” in Danish, STEL reflects a philosophy rooted in Scandinavian design, where fashion is created for real people, real movement, and real life; Anderson’s background in blending sportswear with precision tailoring is evident in STEL’s refined yet practical garments.
Reflecting on being selected as a finalist, Anderson said: “To me, it is deeply moving that the journey I am on, as a creative, is being recognised and that STEL is carving out a corner of its own.
“I would love for us to move beyond Europe – STEL naturally connects with globally-minded women who own their style and carry it confidently wherever they go, and the future is them.”
The W&VFP will this year return to its original dual jury format, joining experts in both creativity and business. The two groups are made up of 19 leading voices from across the industry who will together assess the winner on the basis of both originality and craftsmanship, but also business acumen and commitment to responsible fashion practices.
On the creative side, members include Henrik Vibskov, Rebekka Bay (Marimekko), Laird Borrelli-Persson (Vogue Runway), and Sara Maino (Fondazione Sozzani), among others, who will evaluate each finalist on vision, aesthetics, technical skill, and cultural relevance.
Meanwhile, the business jury – featuring industry figures such as Andrea Baldo (Mulberry), Kristoffer Juhl (TEKLA), Nicolaj Reffstrup (Ganni), and Cecilie Thorsmark (Copenhagen Fashion Week) – will focus on commercial potential, brand scalability, and long-term impact.
Wedell-Wedellsborg said, “With an exceptionally strong and influential jury in place this year, all sails are set for the finalists as they continue their journey – not only in Denmark, but also onto the international stage.”
Indeed, beyond its financial reward, the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize is about creating sustainable momentum for designers at a critical point in their trajectory. With exhibition space at the CPHFW Creative Hub and access to global media and buyers, the finalists are offered an invaluable platform for growth and exposure.
“The opportunity to talk to experts about your brand is monumental,” says Andersen of STEL. “It pushes you further, generates new ideas, and becomes an essential part of growing your vision.”
With their strong identities and proven track records, MFPEN, Nicklas Skovgaard, and STEL reflect a bold, pluralistic future for Danish fashion. Soon, one of them will take the next step onto the international stage, carrying with them the legacy of the prize and opening a new chapter in the story of Scandinavian design.
