Take five Ditte Refftrup
Lifestyle / Society

5 things Ganni’s Ditte Reffstrup can’t do without – from power dressing to phone-free days

By Lola Froebe

Whether it's playing a lively game of tennis with her other half to a mindful moment with her skincare, here's the life essentials Ganni’s creative director just can't do without

Welcome to our new bi-monthly series "Take five" featuring inspiring Scandinavian tastemakers on the five life-enhancing items, habits or encounters that help guarantee a balanced, joy-filled life.

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Wearing Ganni is a cheerful affair. Putting on the voluminous dresses, peppy blouses and statement-making accessories evokes an inner thrill. And behind the characteristically colourful universe and the much talked about #GanniGirl state of mind is Ditte Reffstrup. After she and her husband Nicolaj Reffstrup took the reigns at Ganni in 2009 as creative director and CEO, they transformed the off-the-radar label into a cult brand. Creating with the idea to ensure their customer was the most confident version of themselves, the designer hit a nerve in Scandinavia. The rest of the globe soon followed, with the label garnering a passionate fanbase thanks not just to the garments, but the brand's sentiment of anything goes. A notion that is deeply rooted in Reffstrup herself.

From her early childhood growing up in a small fishing town in Jutland, Reffstrup has never been afraid of standing out and expressing herself through fashion. While other girls wore pretty dresses to school, she dressed intuitively with an added edge. Her design process is less influenced by a specific fashion muse or film icon but rather by the fascinating people around her in Copenhagen and, really, any city in the world.

Here, she gives us a glimpse into the must-haves that elevate her life daily. Despite jaunts into skincare and sports, one thing becomes clear: Reffstrup lives and breathes fashion in and out.

1

Sporting a match

Take five Ditte Reffstrup

I started playing tennis recently, it’s a lot harder than it looks but it’s such a fun way to exercise. It almost makes me feel like a kid again. I used to play football growing up and I have always loved sports that involve a sense of play and the fact that you can’t do it alone.

2

Phone-free family time

Take five Ditte Reffstrup

Another essential is having some dedicated time away from my phone when I come home from work, so I can spend time with my family without any distractions. It’s so precious to me and a really important part of my day. My trick is to put my phone in a drawer until the kids are tucked up in bed and I really try to stick to that rule.

3

Power dressing

Take five Ditte Reffstrup

Wearing something powerful makes me feel my most confident every day. If I could, I would wear the sparkling/embellished floor-length dress from our SS23 collection, it’s the ultimate power dress that just makes you feel amazing.

4

Skincare working wonders

Skincare is just one of those small things that always makes you feel better and fresher – it’s a little gesture of love towards yourself. I love Biologique Recherche’s treatments, I always come out feeling revitalised and like a new person. Their P50 Lotion is a game changer.

5

Wardrobe staples but make them 2022

My Ganni x Barbour upcycled coat from our new collab. I have always loved Barbour’s timeless design craftsmanship and how it gets you ready to brave the elements while still looking great. I feel like I can do anything in it – I'll wear it both in the city, thrown over a dress with heels, and in the forest with wellies. It really gives you the best of both worlds.