Mads Barfod

Based in Copenhagen, Mads launched his own brand in 2024 after graduating from the Scandinavian Academy of Fashion Design.

A major turning point in his career came when he won Denmark’s Next Clothing Designer, Season 2. Following this success, his brand began to be stocked at select Copenhagen stores such as Mads Nørgaard and Magasin du Nord.

He has continued to make steady progress, including showcasing his work at Copenhagen Fashion Week.

We had the opportunity to speak with him about his journey and his latest collaborations.

What inspired you to start your brand?

After graduating from the Scandinavian Academy of Fashion Design, I was supposed to do an internship at JW Anderson.

However, due to visa issues, I wasn’t able to go to London as planned.

That unexpected setback made me reflect on different paths, and eventually, I decided to launch my own brand.

Have you always wanted to become a fashion designer?

To be honest, when I was a child, I wasn’t particularly interested in fashion.

However, I was always fascinated by the idea of designing things, and at one point, I even wanted to become a graphic designer.

But I realized that sitting at a desk for long hours wasn’t for me, so I eventually gave up on that path.

What inspired you to study fashion?

When I was younger, there was a time when I really wanted clothes from Gucci, but it was far too expensive for me at the time.

That made me think, “If I can’t afford it, maybe I can learn to make something like it myself.”

That moment became the very first spark that inspired me to study fashion.

What do you value most when creating clothing?

I always carry a notebook with me so I can jot down ideas as soon as they come.

I never want to forget them.

I also focus on designing clothes that are stylish yet practical enough to wear to work. For example, something you could wear at the office on a Friday and then head straight to a bar afterward without needing to change.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I often take inspiration from magazines from the 1960s and 1970s. Their visuals, layouts, and styling have a timeless quality that I still find very compelling.

More recently, I’ve noticed that early 2000s IT culture has also influenced me. Items from that era, like computer bags and fleece jackets, have started to shape some of my ideas.

Collaboration with the jewelry brand PETREA

I reached out to my friend Asta Petrea, a Copenhagen-based jewelry designer and founder of the brand PETREA, to propose a collaboration, and she happily agreed. That’s how this project came to life.

For this collection, we incorporated her craftsmanship into clothing, blending fabric and metal. Together, we explored trims that could be made in silver while maintaining Asta’s signature design, which ultimately led to the creation of the new collection.

Collaboration with the homeware brand Omhu

This collaboration came about after Omhu saw me on the TV show Denmark’s Next Clothing Designer, Season 2.

They thought it would be “fun” to work together and felt that I could bring a fresh perspective to their brand.

Although this project is a bit different from clothing, I’m truly glad that I accepted the opportunity.

Future Vision

My first goal is to open my own store in Copenhagen.

However, I don’t want it to be just a place that sells clothes.I want it to be a community space where people can gather.

During the day, it would function as a store for my brand, and in the evening, I hope to create a space where people can enjoy food and drinks at a bar.