There are a million and one things in this world I’d rather do than fly, I’d even prefer Tyre Shopping. But earlier this month I found myself facing the fear head-on, sitting in an extra legroom seat on a Boeing 737, chatting to Grazia’s senior fashion assistant Sophie, and (unsuccessfully) pretending I wasn’t terrified because I’m pretty sure terrified people can’t sit in the exit seats. What could have possibly coaxed me onto said aeroplane? It had to be Copenhagen Fashion Week, didn’t it?
After 90 minutes of flying time, we were greeted by Trine and Sophie, PR & event organisers for Story Jewellery – and they were armed with Danish breakfast delicacies! After indulging myself in a seedy rye and chocolate roll, we were swept through the streets of Copenhagen in a white coach with tinted black windows to the SP34 – a cool, scandi-style boutique hotel in Copenhagen’s old Latin Quarter. We checked in to a beautiful, simplistic room with light wood accents, industrial-style lighting and muted grey furnishings.
To get the group together, Sophie and Trine has organised a casual lunch in the hotel’s restaurant Cocks and Cows – well-known in the area for (can you guess?) cocktails and burgers! The buffet lunch was exactly what we all needed seeing as some of us had set off for Gatwick at 4am that morning! The buffet was made up of a choice of prime mini steak burgers or falafel burgers inside lovely little bread buns. There was cheese, curly fries, relish, multiple burger garnishes and Caesar salad too.
In a casual school-style manner, we each took a minute or so to introduce ourselves to the group. There was just one other blogger there, the rest of the UK girls were journalists, editors or freelancers for Grazia, Hello, Metro , Stylist and more. As well as our group of ten, we were joined by a group from Sweden made up of even more editors and writers. I got on particularly well with fashion stylist Boo Attwood, Grazia’s Sophie Bew and PR extraordinaire for Story Jewellery Laura Fearnall.
After lunch, we headed to the main event; the STORY by Kranz & Ziegler annual press event. The AW14 presentation took place at Frederiksberg Palace. Adjacent to Copenhagen zoo, the impressive building is a Baroque residence overlooking Frederiksberg Park. We climbed the stairs to jewellery heaven and gathered among press and industry insiders to view the creative presentation.
The contrast between the elegance of the venue and the punk rock styling of the collection was immediately apparent, enhanced by waiting staff dressed to the nines carrying silver trays full of pink champagne and two accomplished cellists casting a classic enchantment over the room. The presentation’s centerpiece was a vast, delightful tea party fit for a curious blonde heroine and her mad companions.
We were at the presentation for a few hours, so we had plenty of time to mingle, enjoy the tea party, try on all the jewellery, make some notes, send a few tweets and explore the grounds. I can neither confirm nor deny a quick de-tour to hang out with the elephants in the zoo opposite. Any photo evidence may have been tampered with!
Shhhhhh! What elephant?
I am pictured below with the beautiful Sophie, whose knowledge of Copenhagen coupled with her warm personality made every aspect of our trip enjoyable.
Consistent with the theme, jewellery was scattered around the room on three-tiered cake stands, laid out like sweets at a patisserie. The models, on the other hand, were caked in layers and layers of STORY’s most iconic pieces – dressed in studs, lace, fishnets, leather, tulle and fur.
Giving the impression of young, devil-may-care rebellion they were the perfect contradiction to the elegant surroundings, floral arrangements and sophisticated atmosphere. Even the bouquet of jet black helium balloons were positioned as perfect irony. The whole presentation can be successfully summed up in a single photo of a dying rose, wrapped from stem to bud in glittering gold and silver rings.
The day ended just as indulgently as it started – at a seriously cool Nordic restaurant called Höst. We didn’t know it, but the six course meal combined with fantastic company would be the highlight of our trip.
The decor was raw and industrial, just like the hotel, and was styled with reclaimed wood and concrete for a natural appeal. Despite the metal and concrete, the atmosphere was made welcoming and cosy through the use of lambskin seat covers and candles. We were sat next to Laura the PR extraordinaire, Boo and Jude Brosnan, an awesome jewellery journalist from Time Out. Together, the five of us giggled our way through six different courses, four unique wines and hours and hours of conversation! In fact, the leisurely meal went on until gone midnight!
A wobbly walk back to the hotel in heels across thousands of cobbles ended our first day in beautiful Copenhagen. Although I might have preferred another form of transport.
Photography by Tom Shackleton
