Take a look at the big brands echoing the yarns of Scandinavia’s greatest storyteller
The stories of Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen became the absorbing background of so many of our childhoods. Through his vision, we encountered ugly ducklings who became swans, mermaids who gave up their lives for love, and the dying visions of a tiny matchstick girl, alone in the snow. These are the sad and extraordinary tales of a master of storytelling, rich in beauty, morality and intrigue; narratives which have lasted a lifetime.
Andersen's indelible effect on Scandinavian culture can also be seen on the catwalk, as the new season’s most fantastical fashion reimagines some of his iconic characters. Arrogant royalty is brought to sumptuous life in Emporio Armani’s Chenille jacket with faux Mongolian fur sleeves - an impeccably stylish take on The Wicked Prince. Paired with a silk body and stockings and attention-grabbing red boots from Louis Vuitton, you have a look fit for a regent hell-bent on taking over the world.
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The Girl Who Trod on the Loaf. Photo: Rasmus Weng Karlsen
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One-shoulder wrap blouse, €800. Tory Burch. Knitted top, worn underneath, price on request. Hanna Hanela. Chiffon skirt, €2,295. Tory Burch. Wood earrings, €620. Ingy Stockholm. Leather platforms, €905. Altuzarra. Photo: Rasmus Weng Karlsen
Altuzarra’s leather platforms are so enviously beautiful that you can imagine why The Girl Who Trod on the Loaf would do anything to protect them. And, if your fate is to be sucked into hell as a result, you may as well look your best. Hence Tory Burch’s dynamic, one-shoulder wrap top and luminous chiffon skirt, worn with a rich and structured Hanna Hanhela knitted top.
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The Nightingale. Blazer, price on request. Hanna Hanhela. Printed silk dress, €1,660. Altuzarra. Silver ring, €235. Hanrej. Umbrella. Stylists’ own. Leather loafers, €300. Day. Photo: Rasmus Weng Karlsen
The Little Match Girl. Wool blazer, €890. Coperni. Recycled wool sweater, price on request. Soulland. Wool scarf, €169. Lola Berlin. Red scarf, worn underneath, €85, Straw bag, €120. Both Mehrotra. Latex high-knee boots, €490. Coperni. Photo: Gianni Pucci
The tragic, though far less deserving, fate of The Little Match Girl, is explored with a chic autumnal ensemble. Coperni’s black wool blazer and knee-high latex boots provide the framework for an oversized knit (a recycled wool terracotta choice from Soulland) and layered scarves from Lola Berlin.
Steadfast Tin Soldier. From left to right: Dress, price on request. Hanna Hanhela. Tulle skirt made from recycled textiles, €450. Remake Stockholm. Multicoloured dress, price on request. Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood. Blouse, €188. Naja Lauf. Hat. Stylist’s own. Photo: Getty
Meanwhile, explore the rich textures of China’s sartorial past, with an outfit suitable for an emperor, in this homage to the Middle Kingdom setting of Andersen’s The Nightingale. Altuzarra’s printed silk dress is the ideal choice, given a contemporary feel underneath Hanna Hanhela’s pillar-box red blazer and black leather loafers from Day.
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The Little Mermaid. Silver dress, €335. Notes du Nord. Organic cotton dress, €3,800. Sofia Ilmonen. Fishnet tights, worn as gloves, €30. Wolford. Handmade pearl necklace. Sea star earrings with crystal, €69. Caroline Svedblom. Photo: Rasmus Weng Karlsen
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Instant Face Glow Oil, €49. Björk and Berries. Blur Longwear Foundation, €18, Blur Longwear Concealer, €13, Instant Illuminizer, €30, Brow Care Fixing Gel, €10. All Lumene. Liquid Illuminator, €33, Cream Lipstick in ‘Rouge Blossom’ and ‘Magnolia’, sold separately, €28. All Esthelle & Thild. The Riviera Box, €120. Nathalie Berzelius Stockholm. Balm Shiny, €40. Submission Beauty. Photo: Rasmus Weng Karlsen
The Little Mermaid has always been a spotlight grabber, so the most high-profile of Andersen’s characters deserves a scene-stealing aesthetic. Notes du Nord’s bold, silver sequin dress is up for the challenge - fashion’s best interpretation of a sea creature’s scales. Tuck beneath this dramatically amorphous organic cotton dress from Sofia Ilmonen, perfect for encapsulating the ethereal spirit of a shapeshifting woman. Add a nod to her marine heritage, with some beautiful sea star earrings from Caroline Svedblom.
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The Ugly Duckling. From left to right: Cashmere knitted turtleneck, €1,600, Sequin embroidered dress, price on request. Both Louis Vuitton. Knitted top in multi-certified organic cotton, €450. A.Roege Hove. Faux fur skirt, price on request. Soulland. Leather heels, €185. Billi. Photo: Rasmus Weng Karlsen
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Thumbelina. Printed top with detachable hood, €2,295. Roksanda. Knitted sweater, worn underneath, €489. Bloke via Zalando. Wood earrings, €620. Ingy Stockholm. Knee-high boots, price on request. Roksanda x Dear Frances. Photo: Rasmus Weng Karlsen
Andersen’s smallest heroine, Thumbelina, is channelled in the playful proportions of Roksanda’s hooded, printed top in swathes of yellow taffeta. The designer’s collaboration with Dear Frances is the perfect accent in faerie green leather.
Though there can, of course, be no greater Andersen accessory than The Red Shoes - adapted here in true contemporary style as Hannah Hanhela’s red stocking boots.
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The Princess and the Pea. Photo: Rasmus Weng Karlsen
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Patchwork coat, €695. Sea Nyc. Silk dress with wrap over, €2,950. Cecilie Bahnsen. Halter neck swimsuit, worn underneath, €364. Christopher Esber. Earrings with stones, €250, Gold ring, €256. Both Charlott Vasberg. Leather boots, €1,800. Louis Vuitton. Photo: Rasmus Weng Karlsen
Conjure the improbable yet inspirational romance of Hans Christian Andersen’s Steadfast Tin Soldier in these complementary looks. Hanna Hanhela’s deconstructed trench dress, paired with a recycled tulle skirt from Remake Stockholm, makes for a perfect paper ballerina, whose tin soldier comes adorned in the spectacle of this Andrea Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood bodice dress.
Or, rework the classic story of The Princess and the Pea with Sea Nyc’s incredible patchwork quilt coat and replicate the theatrics of The Snow Queen in Dolce & Gabbana’s white faux fur coat.
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The Snow Queen. Rib knitted skirt in multi-certified organic cotton, worn as a top, €250. A. Roege Hove. Instant Face Glow Oil, €49. Björk and Berries. Blur Longwear Foundation, €18, Blur Longwear Concealer, €13, Instant Illuminizer, €30, Brow Care Fixing Gel, €10. All Lumene. Liquid Illuminator, €33, Cream Lipstick in ‘Rouge Blossom’ and ‘Magnolia’, sold separately, €28. All Esthelle & Thild. The Riviera Box, €120. Nathalie Berzelius Stockholm. Balm Shiny, €40. Submission Beauty. Photo: Rasmus Weng Karlsen
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Faux fur coat, price on request. Dolce & Gabbana. Dress, €149. &Other Stories. Trousers, price on request. Hanna Hanhela.Wood earrings, €620. Ingy Stockholm. Crystal embellished shoes, price on request. Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood. Photo: Rasmus Weng Karlsen
The greatest fashion statement of Hans Cristian Andersen was, of course, no clothes at all. Embrace the brilliance of his enduring satirical tale The Emperor’s New Clothes with an optical illusion style body, accessorised with a woven coat (like this Remake Stockholm beauty) to save your blushes, topped off with crystal-embellished shoes as magical as your inspiration.
When it comes to wearing the most creative of this season’s fashion, only the master of fairy tales can help.
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The Red Shoes. Long sleeve top, price on request, Dress, worn underneath, price on request. Both Hanna Hanhela. Skirt, €149. &Other stories. Gold plated sterling silver earrings, €425. Jane Koening. Stocking boots, price on request. Hanna Hanhela. Photo: Rasmus Weng Karlsen
The Emperor’s New Clothes. Woven coat made from recycled textiles, €1,000. Remake Stockholm. Made to order collar, €107. Nadia Wire. Crown. Stylist’s own. Body with printed underwear. Stylist’s own. Stocking holders, €15. John Henric. Swarovski crystal embellished heels, price on request. Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood. Photo: Rasmus Weng Karlsen
Photographer: Rasmus Weng Karlsen
Stylist: Robert Rydberg
Makeup Artist: Regina Törnwall
Hair Stylist: Line Bille
Models: Astrid Grove, Louisa Ganzel
Photographer Assistant: Matt Marsh
Stylist Assistant: Amelie Langenskiöld
Casting Director: Helin Honung
Production: Anne Lundkvist
Special thank to Comwell H C Andersen hotel