Some brands are immediately legible. Others take time. Han Kjøbenhavn is the second kind. The name is spelled nothing like it sounds, the clothes look restrained but always carry one detail that makes you look twice, and the brand sits somewhere between Scandinavian minimalism and urban culture with its rough edges.
That's exactly what makes it interesting.
COPENHAGEN 2008: EYEWEAR AS A STARTING POINT
Han Kjøbenhavn was founded in Copenhagen in 2008 by Jannik Wikkelsø Davidsen. It started with eyewear — simple metal frames with a distinct geometry that quickly became a recognizable accessory on the streets of Copenhagen. The brand's name signals its roots: «Kjøbenhavn» is an old spelling of the word «Copenhagen».
The move into clothing was a natural extension of the same vision. The founder has spoken about his long-standing fascination with art, design and abstraction, and said that moving from the forms of eyewear to the forms of clothing felt like a logical step. What stayed constant was the approach: not starting with the question «which fabric?» but with «what 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 coin. From the start, the brand set out to push beyond the comfortable middle-class tone of Danish cultural discourse and show sides of city life that rarely get airtime.
Concrete, suburbs, basements, sounds and shapes that don't fit on a Copenhagen tourist postcard — all of this became source material for collections. The brand describes its clothes as «built for everyday struggles» and that's not a marketing phrase, it's a fairly accurate description of where the work comes from.
FROM COPENHAGEN BASEMENTS TO THE OSCARS AND DIABLO
In 2022, Han Kjøbenhavn made its move beyond the Scandinavian fashion circuit in a dramatic way. The brand designed Julia Fox's dress for the Academy Awards — a black leather gown with a collar in the shape of a hand choking her neck. The viral moment cemented the brand's reputation well outside Scandinavia.
Before that, Han Kjøbenhavn had already built serious media credibility: in 2013 Complex listed it among the 15 best Scandinavian menswear brands, in 2014 GQ named it one of eight must-know Scandinavian brands for men. The AW12 collection film won a Bronze Lion at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.
A separate chapter is the collaboration with the iconic game franchise DIABLO, which confirmed that Han Kjøbenhavn moves freely between fashion and pop culture without making any aesthetic compromises along the way.
WHAT THE CLOTHES ACTUALLY 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 gives the audience something to connect with on a personal level.
In practice this means clothes that look restrained but never ordinary. Track pants in premium fabric with the right cut. Shirts with details you notice on second look. Football jerseys reframed in a lifestyle context. Vests and jackets with military references but without literal cosplay. Collections draw on Danish culture, military uniforms, vintage sportswear and workwear, using modern materials — neoprene, lightweight nylon — to bridge old and new.
Most pieces are unisex. This isn't a gesture toward gender-neutral trends — it's a natural consequence of the fact that the cut and proportions were never anchored to conventional male or female silhouettes from the start.
HAN KJØBENHAVN AT NEWBORN K IN WARSAW
NEWBORN K works directly with Han Kjøbenhavn — all products are original and come from current collections. The range includes jackets, trousers, hoodies, t-shirts, shirts, longsleeves, shorts, caps and scarves, mostly unisex pieces that fit equally well into a men's or women's wardrobe.
Han Kjøbenhavn pairs naturally with many brands in our selection. The dark minimalist aesthetic sits comfortably next to New Amsterdam Surf Assn., both working with ideas of urban everyday life without unnecessary noise. The technical foundation of Salomon and the sculptural forms of Rombaut add depth to an outfit. Pas Normal Studios and Carhartt WIP for those who want to keep functionality without losing character.
That's the logic of a concept store: pieces that are interesting on their own and more interesting next to each other. More on how we build our selection and what makes a concept store different from a regular shop in our editorial column.
Browse the current range in the Han Kjøbenhavn collection at NEWBORN K.
FAQ
What is Han Kjøbenhavn? Han Kjøbenhavn is a Danish fashion brand founded in Copenhagen in 2008 by Jannik Wikkelsø Davidsen. It started as an eyewear line and expanded into full ready-to-wear clothing. The brand is known for blending Scandinavian design with urban streetwear culture and a narrative-driven approach to each collection.
How do you pronounce Han Kjøbenhavn? Roughly «Han Kyuh-ben-houn». «Kjøbenhavn» is an old Danish spelling of «Copenhagen». The letter ø sounds like something between «e» and «o» in Danish.
Where can I buy Han Kjøbenhavn in Warsaw? At NEWBORN K — a concept store at ul. Krucza 2 in central Warsaw, with online shopping and delivery across Poland and Europe. All products are original and come directly from the brand.
Is Han Kjøbenhavn worth visiting as a tourist in Warsaw? Yes. NEWBORN K carries Han Kjøbenhavn alongside over 60 other carefully selected niche international brands — all in one space in central Warsaw, with a team that knows the story behind every piece.
What does Han Kjøbenhavn go well with? The brand pairs naturally with technical and streetwear-oriented labels. From our selection: Carhartt WIP, New Amsterdam Surf Assn., Salomon, Rombaut and Pas Normal Studios.
Is Han Kjøbenhavn suitable for women? Yes. Most collections are unisex and that's a genuine quality of the cut and proportions, not a marketing position. Women's specific styles are also available.
What are Han Kjøbenhavn trousers like?
Trousers are one of the most recognizable parts of the Han Kjøbenhavn range. The brand offers several distinct cuts — from relaxed track pants in premium technical fabric to tailored wide-leg trousers and baggy denim. What they share is the same approach as the rest of the collection: restrained on the surface, with details that reward a closer look. Most styles are unisex and designed for everyday wear rather than occasion dressing. The current selection of Han Kjøbenhavn trousers is available at NEWBORN K.
