The Rise Of Office Core: A Symbol Of Power At Copenhagen Fashion Week
Copenhagen Fashion Week AW ‘25 showcases a bold shift in womenswear, embracing traditionally masculine elements under the “Office Core” trend.
MKDT Studio Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW ‘25, designers are reshaping womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that blends menswear-inspired tailoring with feminine silhouettes. James Cochrane
The fashion landscape has witnessed a bold shift during Copenhagen Fashion Week [CPHFW] AW ‘25 runway shows and presentations, as designers increasingly infuse womenswear with traditionally masculine elements. This trend, often referred to as "Office Core," is redefining how women dress for power - the Boss Babe - blending tailored menswear-inspired pieces with feminine silhouettes.
Won Hundred Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW '25, designers are redefining womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that fuses sharp menswear tailoring with feminine silhouettes. James Cochrane
At the heart of this movement is the resurgence of the tie - a classic menswear accessory - now reimagined as a symbol of strength and sophistication in women's fashion, as exampled by Scandinavian staple brands like Won Hundred.
Forza Collective Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW ‘25, designers are reshaping womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that blends menswear-inspired tailoring with feminine silhouettes.James Cochrane James Cochrane
Kristoffer Guldager Kongshaug, founder of Forza Collective, highlights the gender-fluid shift in fashion, where traditionally masculine elements are being integrated into womenswear. “It’s a unisex approach—it’s not just about women’s wear or men’s wear. It’s about creating pieces that anyone can wear,” Kongshaug explains, noting that 20-30% of the AW ‘25 collection, including oversized coats and tailored shirting, is designed to be versatile across genders.
Forza Collective Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW ‘25, designers are reshaping womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that blends menswear-inspired tailoring with feminine silhouettes.James Cochrane James Cochrane
“On the women’s side, we’re borrowing more from the men’s wardrobe—like British military coats—which opens up a lot of design opportunities,” says Kongshaug, the veteran designer. While menswear remains largely traditional, its military and tailoring influences naturally translate into the modern female wardrobe in his approach.
STEL Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW ‘25, designers are reshaping womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that blends menswear-inspired tailoring with feminine silhouettes. James Cochrane
Astrid Andersen, founder of her eponymous brand, and her new darling STEL, only a few seasons in, lead the conversation. Trained in menswear, Anderson brings a unique perspective to womenswear, emphasizing comfort, practicality, and a seamless blend of masculine and feminine aesthetics. "I’m trying to define a wardrobe where women can look professional and powerful without sacrificing comfort," she explains. Her collections feature tailored trousers, oversized coats, and ties designed to empower the wearer, in this case, a woman in her daily life.
STEL Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW ‘25, designers are reshaping womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that blends menswear-inspired tailoring with feminine silhouettes.James Cochrane James Cochrane
The tie, in particular, has emerged as a standout accessory in this trend. Once a staple of men’s office attire, it now punctuates women’s outfits with a bold, boss-like energy. "There’s a power to a tie," says Felix von Bahder, creative director of Deadwood, co-founded by Carl Ollson. "It’s like a punctuation mark in an outfit, adding structure and authority." Deadwood’s latest collection showcases ties paired with pirate-inspired ruffles and leather jackets, creating a striking contrast between masculine and feminine elements.
Deadwood Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW ‘25, designers are reshaping womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that blends menswear-inspired tailoring with feminine silhouettes.James Cochrane James Cochrane
This blending of codes is more than aesthetics, redefining what power dressing means for women, as well as what it means for men. Anderson notes, "Women don’t need to wear strong shoulders and high heels to achieve what a man achieves through a suit." Instead, her designs offer a modern take on professionalism, with adjustable, self-tailoring pieces that adapt to a woman’s changing body and lifestyle. This sentiment is more often shared among gendered-based clothing designs.
Deadwood Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW ‘25, designers are reshaping womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that blends menswear-inspired tailoring with feminine silhouettes.James Cochrane James Cochrane
The AW ‘25 collection from Marimekko at CPHFW embraces masculine influences while redefining feminine silhouettes through structure and proportion. “The whole idea with this collection is going from utilitarian, pragmatic function pieces,” says Rebecca Marino, creative director of Marimekko. “The men’s inspiration in the denim, barn jackets, and big over-shirts, really ties back to the brand’s functionalist roots.”
Marimekko Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW ‘25, designers are reshaping womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that blends menswear-inspired tailoring with feminine silhouettes.James Cochrane James Cochrane
Denim plays a crucial role, as the brand builds upon last year’s launch by expanding into more relaxed fits and classic workwear staples. “Those pieces have such a clear origin—they all come from workwear, from denim,” Marino explains. “We still produce them in those same sturdy qualities.” The bomber jackets also make a statement, balancing toughness with fluidity. “The bombers really help create that contrast—it’s quite tough, and then you have a super cinched waist and the fluidity of the fabric,” she adds.
Marimekko Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW ‘25, designers are reshaping womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that blends menswear-inspired tailoring with feminine silhouettes.James Cochrane James Cochrane
At MKDT Studio, Creative Director Caroline Engelgaar emphasizes strong, sleek silhouettes and empowered shoulders, reflecting a unisex approach that blurs traditional gender lines. The collection introduces a signature belt for both men and women, alongside tailored double-breasted jackets, crisp poplin shirts, and structured pants. Engelgaar notes, "The women are always strong in our mindset," underscoring the collection’s focus on empowerment and versatility.
MKDT Studio Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW '25, designers are redefining womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that fuses sharp menswear tailoring with feminine silhouettes. James Cochrane
The narrow-waisted jackets with pleats and tailored sleeves challenge traditional tailoring, creating a modern, gender-fluid aesthetic that prioritizes wearability and sartorial attitude.
MKDT Studio Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW ‘25, designers are reshaping womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that blends menswear-inspired tailoring with feminine silhouettes.James Cochrane James Cochrane
Stine Goya’s AW25 collection, themed around “separation,” explores unity through uniformity, blending clothing and body into a singular expression. The show, complemented by an exhibit at Kunsten in Aalborg, Denmark, featured continual textile designs painted onto models, symbolizing togetherness. With a more feminine approach, combining florals with military-style outerwear, Stine Goya feeds the idea of a genderless fashion.
Stine Goya Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW '25, designers are redefining womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that fuses sharp menswear tailoring with feminine silhouettes. James Cochrane
Within this uniformity lay a subtle nod to masculinity in a stern, unchanging form, blending seamlessly into its surroundings, acting as a permanent fixture; a mountain within the forest. This duality reflects the evolving dialogue between masculine and feminine aesthetics in contemporary fashion.
Stine Goya Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW '25, designers are redefining womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that fuses sharp menswear tailoring with feminine silhouettes. James Cochrane
The trend also reflects a broader cultural shift towards gender fluidity in fashion. Designers increasingly borrow from menswear to create unisex or women-centric pieces that challenge traditional norms. A CPHFW favorite, Cecilie Banshen, recently collaborated with The North Face for SS ‘25 with outerwear and bags adorned in familiar floral patches synonymous with the Banshen name.
Herskind Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW '25, designers are redefining womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that fuses sharp menswear tailoring with feminine silhouettes. James Cochrane
Birgitte Herskind, creative director of Herskind, highlights this approach stating, "I use very masculine fabrics to create elegant, feminine silhouettes. It’s all about contrast." The Herskind label has crafted the ‘Scandi Girl’ look over time with sharply tailored suiting garments, styled for a professional palette.
A. Roege Hove Runway '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW '25, designers are redefining womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that fuses sharp menswear tailoring with feminine silhouettes. James Cochrane
The A. Roege Hove AW25 collections redefine knitwear by exploring the transformative relationship between garments and the human body, inspired by interdisciplinary installation and conceptual artist, Franz Erhard Walther’s ideas. Geometric shapes and rigid forms introduce a masculine element, emphasizing structure and contrast. Models interact with the pieces through movement and touch, turning static garments into dynamic, organic, lived experiences.
A. Roege Hove Runway AW '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW '25, designers are redefining womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that fuses sharp menswear tailoring with feminine silhouettes. James Cochrane
The rise of Office Core and the tie as a womenswear staple signals a new era in fashion where power dressing is expansive in gendered norms. It’s blending the best of both worlds, creating looks as comfortable as they are commanding for women and men. As Astrid Anderson of STEL aptly sums it up, "It’s about representation and bringing that boss image to women in a way that feels authentic and empowering."
Alis Runway '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW '25, designers are redefining womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that fuses sharp menswear tailoring with feminine silhouettes. James Cochrane
With the revitalization of Alis at CPHFW AW ‘25, by blending its iconic ‘90s streetwear DNA with modern craftsmanship, making it relevant for a genderless audience. Originally rooted in Copenhagen’s skate and hip-hop subcultures, Alis had become a "sleepy giant," prompting a secretive comeback to reignite its legacy. Creative director Tobias Birk Nielsen notes, “Alis started in 1995 and became a big movement in subcultures like skateboarding and hip-hop, especially in Copenhagen.”
Alis Runway '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW '25, designers are redefining womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that fuses sharp menswear tailoring with feminine silhouettes. James Cochrane
The new collection balances nostalgia and innovation, incorporating classic prints and fits alongside fresh dyeing techniques and café-culture-inspired spray effects. Sportswear elements tie the collection together, making it both familiar and forward-thinking. “I love how the gradients and track pants turned out, and the vests, puffers, and crop pieces are really cool.”
Alis Runway '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW '25, designers are redefining womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that fuses sharp menswear tailoring with feminine silhouettes. James Cochrane
Ultimately, “This comeback is about redefining Alis for a new generation while staying true to what made it special. It’s not just about fashion—it’s about culture, community, and creating something that resonates with people today,” explains Nielsen.
MKDT Studio Runway '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW '25, designers are redefining womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that fuses sharp menswear tailoring with feminine silhouettes. James Cochrane
In a world where fashion is increasingly fluid, the tie among other sartorial queues, has become a reinvigorated statement - a la Kamala Harris and her will to take on ideas around gender norms. For women everywhere, it can symbolize strength, versatility, and the power to redefine what it means to dress for success as would traditional men.
Deadwood Runway '25: At Copenhagen Fashion Week AW '25, designers are redefining womenswear with "Office Core"—a trend that fuses sharp menswear tailoring with feminine silhouettes. James Cochrane
The rise of masculine-infused womenswear, where strength, structure, and versatility redefine modern elegance. By blending tailored precision with fluidity, designers like Engelgaar and Goya are crafting a new narrative where empowerment is rooted in the interplay of contrasts and the breaking of traditional boundaries.
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