Following the day of his Autumn-Winter 2024 runway show, we had the chance to chat with Finnish-Swedish designer Rolf Ekroth at the Copenhagen Fashion Week NEWTALENT showroom supported by Circulose. As Copenhagen is renowned for its steadfast commitment to sustainability, all participating brands were expected to show collections crafted from recycled and innovative materials.

Ekroth showcased a gender-free runway with a palette of mainly lush, earthy tones, heavily influenced by Nordic knitwear and outerwear.

When asked about further details about his collection, Ekroth revealed that “anywhere from eighty to ninety percent of the collection was made from up-cycled materials,” with the exception of the leather. For this particular line, he used ethically-sourced Finnish deer leather, adding that, “in a sense, using this leather is sustainable in that it can be worn and passed down for generations.”

He highlighted that the checkered diamond pattern was fashioned from recycled soccer jerseys in collaboration with Puma. When asked about its inspiration and connection to his roots as a poker player, he exclaimed, “I hadn’t considered that, but that’s a good anecdote! I may have to use that”. Although his hesitation about its inclusion, he was drawn to the design and ultimately decided to feature it in the show.

Ekroth also expressed his fondness for integrating friendship bracelets into his designs to imbue them with a sense of warmth and individuality, stating that “without them, they are just like any other garment,” and emphasizing that their presence lends a more “human” touch.

Rolf Ekroth is a Finnish fashion brand that advocates for utilitarianism, nostalgia, and the significance of sustainably produced garments.

Rolf Ekroth

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