Scandinavian Academy of Fashion Design

Scandinavian Academy of Fashion Design

The Scandinavian Academy of Fashion Design (SAFD) is Denmark’s oldest fashion and design school, founded in 1931 by Margrethe Glad as Margrethe-Skolen. Named after its patroness Princess Margrethe of Bourbon-Parma, the school was established during a period of high interest in textile courses, but SAFD’s education in cutting and sewing elegant fashion designs with an international flavour was something entirely new. Glad’s effective social network, her travels to Paris to buy models for manufacturing in Copenhagen, and her pedagogical skills helped establish the school’s reputation.

Today, SAFD is located in the heart of Copenhagen — inside a typical apartment building on Badstuestræde, on top of a Lego store — and offers a single course: a full-time three-year fashion design education corresponding to bachelor level, divided into six semesters with a focus on craft and design. The education is SU-eligible (Danish student grant) and accredited by Denmark’s Accreditation Institution. SAFD accepts only 30 students per year and is staffed by four members, including designer Anne Sofie Madsen, who works with final-year students.

The school has educated many of the leading fashion designers, stylists, and business people in the Danish and international पहनावा world. Notable graduates include Margit Brandt, Louise Lyngh Bjerregaard, Susanne Rützou, Benedikte Utzon, Lene Sand, and Bitte Kai Rand. SAFD is affiliated with the University of the Arts London.

The school’s graduate show at Copenhagen Fashion Week has become one of the most anticipated events on the schedule. Laird Borrelli-Persson of Vogue.com called it “one of the most inspiring events of CPHFW,” while Dal Chodha of Wallpaper wrote, “The future of कोपेनहेगन फैशन वीक? Look towards the students of SAFD.” The shows are organised entirely by the students themselves. For SS27, SAFD presents its graduating class in presentation format.