Certain people, brands, or other life cases have emerged OUT OF THE BLUE. When taking a closer look, there’s a long journey that lets them walk the path leading to where they are now. Today: the story of BONNETJE, the Copenhagen-based upcycling brand they refer to as “feminine, humorous, and a bit odd.” Cover image: James Cochrane
On the third day of Copenhagen Fashion Week, fashion people gathered at the historical Gammel Strand 48 building. For the next two hours, one of Copenhagen’s newest talents hosted several shows, immediately applauded by the fashion crowd. After watching the show, one thing is clear: Bonnetje is here to stay. Or, better said, it’s here to change the landscape of upcycled fashion for good.
The Copenhagen-based Bonnetje specializes in cutting up old suits and reassembling the pieces into new silhouettes. By reusing defunct materials, Bonnetje contributes to the growing movement for fashion beyond the current throwaway society. Their approach focuses on past, present, and future sustainable practices, emphasizing the value of circularity. Collaboration with contemporary peers and across generations is at the heart of their business. Instead of discarding yesterday’s fashion, they strive to preserve it for today and reintroduce it into circulation.
Their approach didn’t go unnoticed, as their CPHFW presentation was a big hit. Bonnetje’s signature practice of refashioning suits brings an element of surprise to their designs with a witty collection that challenges everything you thought you knew about tailoring. Turning garments inside out highlights the craftsmanship behind each piece, exposing hidden details like seams, pockets, and linings. Their approach honors the tailoring of classic suits while incorporating feminine silhouettes into traditionally masculine forms.
IN CONVERSATION WITH BONNETJE CO-FOUNDERS ANNA MYNTEKÆR & YOKO MAJA RAHBEK
Co-founders Anna Myntekær and Yoko Maja Rahbek think their approach to fashion stems from their loving upbringing. Myntekær: “We both grew up in very loving families—perhaps a bit unconventional—with plenty of freedom and room to explore our creativity. We were also raised to be very hands-on and to make the most out of even the smallest things.” Rahbek explains that their drive to start Bonnetje emerged after having kids themselves. “We both worked for other brands and after having kids, the value of our time became increasingly important to us. It became clear that we needed more control over our work life to balance family and career. We also want to be part of a movement changing the fashion industry by promoting sustainability, fair working hours, and inclusion.”
How would you describe Bonnetje’s aesthetic in three words?
Rahbek: “Feminine, humorous, and a bit odd.”
In Dutch, ‘bonnetje’ means receipt. How did you come up with the name?
Mynthekær: “’ Bonnetje’ means ‘receipt’ in Dutch. We both studied in Amsterdam and when we found a receipt for one of the first vintage suits we worked with, it became the name of our brand. The receipt carries a lot of symbolism, representing consumer culture, but it can also simply be a nice greeting from the former owner.”
How do you generate ideas and bring them to life?
Rahbek: “This time, we worked with a theme: transit—how to dress quickly from point A to B or while waiting. We drew much inspiration from airport environments and other places like metro stations and waiting rooms. We discussed how one could either rush out the door or be the person who carefully folds their clothes and packs them in a suitcase. By cutting up old suits, we find shapes inspired by our themes. Sometimes, we have a specific shape in mind; other times, it emerges organically as we work with a discarded suit.”
What’s on your mood board?
Mynthekær: “Suitcases and tensa barriers.”
Why is it essential for you to honor the tailoring of suits?
Rahbek: “We have both always been drawn to tailored garments, not only because of their symbolism but also for the craftsmanship involved. Much work has been put into these suits, which remains hidden. Suits are among the many items that often cannot be recycled due to their multiple layers, leading to them being burned instead. We aim to give them a new life, revealing many of these beautiful details in a feminine and more modern design.”
How do you keep your head cool during CPHFW and the preceding weeks?
Mynthekær: “With a lot of fun in between all the busyness.”
What are you most proud of?
Rahbek: “We are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved. What once seemed impossible is now starting to make sense. Looking ahead, we are eager to pursue more collaborations. We’re especially proud of our collab with Matilda Venczel, our favorite bag designer. Venczel-Bonnetje bags covered in our assorted suits, and we are so proud of the outcome.”
What excites you most about the future?
Mynthekær: “Maybe the unknown. So far, we’ve been going a bit with the flow. And since our launch in January, it’s been an inspiring journey, with many very talented people with us on board. It’s hard to tell what’s next.”
