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CPHFW AW21 – DAY: A New and Exciting Everyday Wardrobe
Just because DAY’s new Creative Director, Christina Exsteen, orchestrated a wardrobe detox for AW21, don’t think for a second that your wardrobe will come out worse off. It’s about making everything in your wardrobe important and a favourite, not compromising on functionality over fun – The new DAY universe is detail-orientated, empowered and oh-so lustworthy.
“What does the new DAY look like? The question was not only relevant when relaunching a brand with a strong heritage, but also an exploration of what the future holds for us after these uncertain times.”
Christina had sworn her days as a Creative Director were over (after leaving By Malene Birger), but when DAY Birger et Mikkelsen came knocking, the opportunity to be at the helm of one of her favourite brands, could not be passed up. She knew she had to start with the hard questions, “How do you stay true to the brand DNA and your personal vision, while ensuring that each style works for the everyday life we lead?”. 2020 and the beginning of 2021, has seen many people in doors, but in the Nordic region, cities are starting to open up, and life in small offices never stopped for some. It’s this thought of rejoining the world in a new reality, and looking at what items she has treasured in her wardrobe over the past year, that formed a basis for DAY’s new collection. Where do our wardrobes go from here?
Prints. Textures. Choices. These are the three words that some up DAY’s new collection for me, and three words that bring music to my ears. Nothing is a no-go in this collection, if you want to mix a puffer jacket with a checked suit, you can. If you want to add a scarf belt to a paisley dress and throw on a pair of trainers, go for it, heck, throw on a pair of jeans while you’re there too! There’s plenty of layers, the perfect amount of colour (in my opinion) and enough silhouettes to produce a concise, but varied wardrobe, for whatever occasion you may need to go out (or stay) in for.
My favourite piece in the collection, believe it or not, is a scarf. I have a love-hate relationship with scarves – most of them are the wrong size and wrong material – incase your wondering, non-shedding wool and the ability to wrap round once, with some overhang, is my jam. For Christina, it was her son’s football scarf, which she borrowed on cold November mornings, that has captured my heart. Not because it is something new, but because it is a truly personal touch, something that as a Creative Director, Christina utilises to her advantage. Bringing in personal favourites from her wardrobe has given her answer to what works for everyday life – it’s not about fitting what people already use, but creating a better, more durable, more exciting version.
You’ll find leather pieces inspired by Christina’s favourite leather jacket and bohemian prints inspired by DAY’s archives – there’s chunky knits, crisp colours and soft hems, all beautiful on their own, but exquisite when paired together. There’s the opportunity to dress up in a fur coat and silk dress one day, and then stomp around in the rain in a black, patent raincoat and modern cargo pants the next – oh to be a care-free child again.
“I’m excited about making the ordinary interesting and creating wardrobe staples that are as appealing as they are enduring…Every design should feel like a comfortable support and a delicious second skin.”
Most importantly, Christina Extseen’s AW21 collection for DAY is versatile, wearable, covetable and sensible. And when I say sensible, I don’t mean prude, this collection can be worn year-round (it’s cold a lot of the time in the Nordics, ok), the fabrics and patterns are functional, and the everyday has been made exciting. This collection, DAY and Christina are a sensible investment, period.
P.S. Can I have a scarf, please?