Q&A
APLACE has worked with Henrik Vibskov since the start 12 years ago. The Danish designer never ceases to amaze, both in terms of collections and fashion shows. When he makes his “comeback” during Copenhagen Fashion Week after showing in Paris for a number of years, it happens in his usual way – colorful, innovative and with a great dose of quirkiness.
Henrik Vibskov has just completed his runway show during CPHFW, which recently launched ‘The Sustainability Action Plan 2020-2022’, an initiative designed to reinforce the event’s sustainability profile but more importantly, to accelerate the fashion industry’s sustainability efforts. When APLACE got the chance to exchange a few words with Vibskov, the conversation kind of seamlessly led into sustainability.
– The goal for this year’s Fashion Week is to be 50% sustainable and that is, of course, good, but there we [Vibskov] are really at the forefront. We use recycled cotton and polyester and have also looked at the entire process chain. We have moved production back to Europe and are careful about how we do our transports. I think we are at least two years ahead of them (laughs).
For example, the SS20 collection ‘Stuck Under the Surface’ carries dresses made solely from recycled PET bottles, 100% organic cotton t-shirts and pure Tencel trousers.
This fall’s collection is taking it even further, with 95% being made of only durable materials.
Vibskov views what has happened in recent years as an effect on what he describes as a “what the fuck are we doing?”-revelation.
– What has happened lately with the sustainability perspective regarding materials and production is really a game-changer and a challenge. This is more or less the opposite of what I learned during my education at St. Martins twenty years ago. But it is interesting and exciting – especially the fact that it’s actually possible to change.
– It’s a challenge, but the process of change has already begun. It’s about seeing things in a new light, asking questions and finding solutions.
How will this turn out?
– We as human beings will always have a desire to discover, look for answers and create things. Humans, or at least some, want to be unique, want to stand out. And we have realized that we must find solutions in order to continue to create. And we will find solutions. It’s in our DNA.
And for fashion as an art form?
– Same thing there. Much is changing, people ask questions, seek answers and experiment more. Many things happen. But I do not know if I would call fashion an art form, of course sometimes when you create something very unique that is produced in small editions, that’s great. But I also work in the ballet and theater world and, to me, those two are art forms where you get much closer to the very core. But that’s just me.
