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Han Kjøbenhavn: a Danish brand that started with eyewear and grew into something more
There are brands that you understand at first glance — and there are those you need to take a closer look at. Han Kjøbenhavn belongs to the second category. The name isn't pronounced the way it's spelled, the items look understated but always contain a detail that catches the eye, and the label itself occupies a space somewhere between Scandinavian minimalism and urban culture with its rough edges.
It is precisely this lack of obviousness that makes the brand interesting.
Copenhagen 2008: eyewear as a starting point
Han Kjøbenhavn was founded in 2008 in Copenhagen by Jannik Wikkelsø Davidsen. They started with eyewear — simple metal frames with a distinctive geometry that became a recognizable accessory on the streets of Copenhagen. The brand's name speaks to its roots: "Kjøbenhavn" is the old spelling of the word "Copenhagen."
The transition to clothing was a logical evolution of that very same optics design. The brand's founder has said that he was always fascinated by art, design, and abstraction, and the shift from the shapes of glasses to the shapes of clothes was natural for him. What remained unchanged was the approach: to start not with the question "what material?", but with the question "how do I feel?".
The dark side of Scandinavia
When people talk about Scandinavian design, they usually mean light, minimalism, and functionality. Han Kjøbenhavn is the other side of that same coin. From the very beginning, the brand sought to break out of the comfort of the middle class in Danish cultural discourse and show sides of urban life that are rarely shown.
Concrete, suburbs, basements, sounds, and shapes that do not fit into a tourist postcard of Copenhagen — all this became material for their collections. The brand describes its clothing as "built for everyday hardships" — and that is not a marketing phrase, but a fairly accurate description of where it comes from.
From Copenhagen basements to the Oscars
The moment Han Kjøbenhavn went beyond the Scandinavian fashion community happened in 2022. The brand designed a dress for Julia Fox for the Oscars — a black leather dress with a collar shaped like a hand gripping the throat. A viral moment that cemented the reputation of Han Kjøbenhavn far beyond Scandinavia.
Before this, the brand had already received media recognition: in 2013, Complex included Han Kjøbenhavn in its list of the 15 best Scandinavian menswear brands; in 2014, GQ named it one of the eight Scandinavian brands men must know. But Julia Fox's dress did what no publication in fashion media could have done.
What the clothes look like
Han Kjøbenhavn is known for combining raw streetwear influences with avant-garde Scandinavian design. The brand builds its reputation on creativity and storytelling; each collection has its own narrative that allows the audience to connect on a personal level.
In practice, this means pieces that look understated but never look ordinary. Track pants made of premium fabric with the right fit. Shirts with details you don't notice right away. Football jerseys brought into a lifestyle context. Vests and jackets with military references but without literal cosplay. The collections draw inspiration from Danish culture, military uniforms, sportswear, and vintage workwear, while using modern materials — neoprene, lightweight nylon — combining the old and the new.
Most pieces are unisex. This is not a tribute to the trend of gender neutrality, but a logical consequence of the fact that the cut and proportions were not originally tied to classic male or female silhouettes.
Han Kjøbenhavn at NEWBORN K
NEWBORN K works with Han Kjøbenhavn directly — all items are original and come from current collections. The assortment includes jackets, pants, hoodies, t-shirts, shirts, sweatshirts, and accessories — mostly unisex models that fit equally well into a male or female wardrobe.
If we talk about what to style them with — Han Kjøbenhavn pairs well in an outfit with many brands from our selection. The dark minimalist aesthetic of the brand naturally combines with New Amsterdam Surf Assn. — both brands work with the idea of urban everyday life without extra noise. The technical base of Salomon and the sculptural shapes of Rombaut add depth to the look. Pas Normal Studios and Carhartt WIP are for those who want to maintain functionality without losing character.
This is the logic of a concept store: items that are interesting on their own and even more interesting next to each other. More details on how we curate our selection and how a concept store differs from a regular shop can be found in our editorial column.
You can view the current assortment in the Han Kjøbenhavn collection at NEWBORN K.
FAQ
What is Han Kjøbenhavn and where is this brand from?
Han Kjøbenhavn is a Danish brand founded in Copenhagen in 2008 by Jannik Wikkelsø Davidsen. It started as an eyewear line and then expanded into full-fledged clothing. The brand is known for combining Scandinavian design with urban streetwear culture and an auteur approach to every collection.
How do you correctly pronounce Han Kjøbenhavn?
"Han Kyuh-ben-hown" — approximately. "Kjøbenhavn" is the old Danish spelling of the word "Copenhagen." The letter ø sounds like something between "e" and "o" in the Danish language.
How does Han Kjøbenhavn differ from other Scandinavian brands?
Most Scandinavian brands are associated with light, minimalism, and functionality. Han Kjøbenhavn consciously goes in the other direction — dark aesthetics, urban grit, and emotional storytelling. The founder describes the brand as an attempt to show sides of Scandinavian urban life that don't usually make it into the region's official image.
Is Han Kjøbenhavn suitable for women?
Yes. Most collections are unisex, and this is not a marketing position but the real quality of the cut and proportions. There are also women's models in a separate line.
What should I style Han Kjøbenhavn with?
The brand pairs well with technical and streetwear-oriented labels. From our assortment, it goes most organically with Carhartt WIP, New Amsterdam Surf Assn., Salomon, Rombaut, and Pas Normal Studios.
Where to buy Han Kjøbenhavn in Ukraine?
At NEWBORN K — a concept store in Kyiv with online delivery throughout Ukraine. All merchandise is original and comes directly from the brand.
