The Tamesis
Fashion holds a mirror up to the world, and wealth equality is one of the big issues today. While becoming an independent designer is never easy, it becomes more challenging as conglomerates accumulate more assets and power. As a result, many organizations are focusing on supporting emerging brands. There is CFDA/ in the United StatesFashion The American Fashion Fund and the Fashion Trust; Denmark has Scandinavia’s largest Wessel & Vett Award, which aims to support Danish designers.
The award was established by the Wessel & Vett Foundation in memory of Emil Vett and Theodor Wessel, founders of the Magasin division, which over the years has promoted the success of Scandinavian brands such as Cecile Bahnsen, Saks Potts and Anne Sofie Madsen. Nicklas Skovgaard won the award in 2025. The winners of the 15th edition will be announced at the end of Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring 2027.
Unlike in the past, the entire bursary is allocated to a brand, with the 2026 finalists – Berner Kühl, Bonnetje, Caro Editions and O. Files – each receiving DKK 75,000 (approximately US$11,000/€10,000). The winner will receive DKK 300,000 (approx. USD 47,000/EUR 40,000). Additionally, the format has been reconsidered. Last week, 14 of the 16 judges (including yourself) spent about two hours with each brand in their own spaces, rather than bringing all the designers together in one location to present. This more personalized approach encourages dialogue and emphasizes the mentoring aspect of the program.
The makeup looks of this year’s finalists represent global fashion trends. Berner Kühl and O. Files represent the ongoing excitement in the menswear industry. While all of these Danish brands are committed to sustainability, responsible design is at the heart of Bonnetje’s practice. Caro Editions, meanwhile, leans toward vintage styles with a playful edge that reflects the personality of its founder, former model Caroline Bille Brahe.
Each of these brands is positioned in its own way due to size and/or design approach. For example, O.Files does not follow a fashion calendar but releases collections in bulk, while Caro Editions is primarily in the customization business. What they all have in common is this: They’re both grappling with how to get their work in front of buyers to increase sales, and how to scale without losing the personality and authenticity of their business’s unique selling point.
Below is a cheat sheet for the 2026 Wessel and Witte Prize finalists.
Bernard Kuhl
“What we do has always been about evolution, not revolution. We spend a lot of time talking about restraint and refinement.” — Frédéric Bernard Kuhl
