Han Kjøbenhavn
Han Kjøbenhavn is a Danish fashion brand founded by Jannik Wikkelsø Davidsen and Tim Faith Hancock in 2008. The brand is based in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Background
Han Kjøbenhavn is an "avant-garde streetwear" brand that focuses on brutalism and boldness.
History
2000s
The brand was created in 2008, with its main focus laying in eyewear before naturally progressing into clothing after two seasons.[1] The name "Han Kjøbenhavn" originates from the word "han" being the Danish pronoun for "men", and "Kjøbenhavn" because both Wikkelsø Davidsen and Faith Hancock were born in the city of Copenhagen. The J was added to draw attention and to play with typography.[2]
2010s
The brand initially started with a more "Scandi-chic" aesthetic before switching to become more moody and grungy, suiting Jannik and his team's creative vision.[3]
In 2017, co-founder and co-owner, Tim Faith Hancock, decides to leave the brand, making Wikkelsø Davidsen the sole owner. Tim mentioned that his main assets and strengths, production, distribution, product development, and design were no longer needed and that in the last two years of his tenure at the brand had made him focus more on running the company.[4]
After the exit of Faith Hancock, the brand gained a new co-owner and CEO in Daniel Hummel.[5]
2020s
The brand had a collaboration with Blizzard, and the game Diablo IV in 2023. The partnership delivered a teaser of what was to come from the long-awaited video game at Milan Fashion Week Feb. 21 to Feb. 27. The designs featured handcrafted elements in faux fur, vegan leather, feathers, and plenty of grey and black hues. The dramatic showcase was, according to both brands, meant to inspire images of “hell as a beautiful place”.[6]
Style
When asked about the brand's DNA in an interview with Metal Magazine, Wikkelsø Davidsen states:
"Our DNA is a feeling, a way to think and a way to look at things. Our DNA can change in an organic way, but it can never be a specific colour, shape or a logo you can’t break out off."[7]
Themes
In more recent times, Han Kjøbenhavn has shifted towards a more moody and dark tone, which is a reflection of the concrete suburbs that Jannik Wikkelsø Davidsen grew up in. With steel, metal, factories, resembling the "banlieues" of Paris and not the colourful and chicness that is associated with Scandinavia in general.[8]
Motifs
Describe visual elements or symbols repeatedly used by the brand (e.g. skulls, crosses, checkerboards, technical hardware).
Notable Products
List and describe iconic or bestselling products. Highlight pieces that define the brand’s legacy or reputation.
Collections
Mention key runway collections or capsules. Include details like debut years, creative direction, standout looks, or reception.
| Title | Season | Date | Location | Looks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Royals of Concrete | SS25 | Copenhagen, Denmark |
Creative Directors
| Name | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Jannik Wikkelsø Davidsen | 2008–present |
| Add creative directors and their tenure here. |
CEOs
| Name | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Tim Faith Hancock | 2008–2017 |
| Daniel Hummel | 2017–present |
| Add CEOs and their tenure here. |
References
- ↑ https://officemagazine.net/fairytale-denmark#:~:text=We%20started%20in%202008%E2%80%94about%20ten%20years%20ago%20now.%20We%20actually%20started%20out%20by%20doing%20eyewear%20first%2C%20until%20we%20established%20the%20brand.%20We%20just%20start%20growing%2C%20so%20we%20took%20the%20money%20we%20earned%20and%20reinvested%20it%2C%20and%20kept%20developing%20new%20ideas.%20Quickly%2C%20after%20two%20seasons%2C%20we%20moved%20into%20clothing
- ↑ https://metalmagazine.eu/en/post/han-kjobenhavn#:~:text=Very%20simple.%20I%20started%20the%20brand%20with%20my%20former%20partner%2C%20so%20we%20used%20%E2%80%9Chan%E2%80%9D%20that%20is%20the%20danish%20pronoun%20for%20men.%20Kj%C3%B8benhavn%20is%20because%20we%20both%20were%20born%20in%20Copenhagen%2C%20and%20because%20we%20want%20to%20embrace%20the%20danish.%20The%20J%20is%20added%20in%20the%20name%20to%20catch%20attention%20and%20to%20play%20with%20the%20typography.
- ↑ https://metalmagazine.eu/en/post/han-kjobenhavn#:~:text=What%20can%20you%20say%20about%20the,to%20our%20collections%20by%20creating%20contrasts.
- ↑ https://woman.dk/skoenhed/mode/halvdelen-af-han-kjoebenhavn-takker-af#:~:text=%E2%80%9CDet%20er%20en,Fashionforum.dk.
- ↑ https://fashionforum.dk/2018/01/31/daniel-hummel-han-kjoebenhavn-har-sat-farten/
- ↑ https://scandasia.com/han-kjobenhavn-makes-video-game-fashionable/#:~:text=The%20designs%20feature%20handcrafted%20elements%20in%20faux%20fur%2C%20vegan%20leather%2C%20feathers%2C%20and%20plenty%20of%20grey%20and%20black%20hues.%20The%20dramatic%20showcase%20was%2C%20according%20to%20both%20brands%2C%20meant%20to%20inspire%20images%20of%20%E2%80%9Chell%20as%20a%20beautiful%20place%E2%80%9D.
- ↑ https://metalmagazine.eu/en/post/han-kjobenhavn#:~:text=Our%20DNA%20is%20a%20feeling%2C%20a%20way%20to%20think%20and%20a%20way%20to%20look%20at%20things.%20Our%20DNA%20can%20change%20in%20an%20organic%20way%2C%20but%20it%20can%20never%20be%20a%20specific%20colour%2C%20shape%20or%20a%20logo%20you%20can%E2%80%99t%20break%20out%20off.
- ↑ https://www.nssmag.com/en/fashion/37793/han-kjobenhavn-interview#:~:text=In%20recent%20years,most%20people%20tell.