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WINNING WAYS: Danish label Berner Kühl was the winner of the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize 2026, a top independent award that was presented for the first time during Copenhagen Fashion Week, which runs until Friday. The award is presented annually by the Wessel & Vett Foundation to a Danish designer or label that demonstrates “exceptional originality, creativity and entrepreneurial vision.”
During the ceremony, which took place on Thursday at the Orangeriet in Copenhagen, the founder and creative director Frederik Berner Kühl received a 40,000-euro prize to support the growth and development of his brand. In addition to the cash prize, Berner Kühl also received a bespoke piece by Copenhagen-based artist Esben Weile Kjær, whose multidisciplinary practice focuses on identity, transformation and contemporary culture
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Berner Kühl said that “as a small brand, we have big ambitions, but we’re often limited by the resources we have. Winning a prize like this gives us the opportunity to take the next step and grow the business without having to compromise on what we believe in. More than that, it’s a reminder that you don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room to make an impact. It means a lot that the jury recognized the craftsmanship, the expertise and all the hard work and dedication that goes into every single product we create.”
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Earlier this year, the finalists — Berner Kühl, Bonnetje, Caro Editions and O. Files — welcomed members of the international jury into their studios to showcase their creative processes, working methods and long-term ambitions. They also staged public presentations during Copenhagen Fashion Week, which began on Monday
Nina Wedell-Wedellsborg, founder of the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize, said that by meeting the finalists in their own environments, the judges “gained a far deeper understanding of how they think, work and build their brands. The caliber of talent this year was exceptional, and Frederik Berner Kühl stood out for his ability to combine creative excellence with a clear vision for the future.”
The finalists received a participation grant of 10,000 euros along with mentoring and industry support throughout the competition
The prize was founded in 2012 by the Wessel & Vett Foundation, which was established to continue the legacy of Theodor Wessel and Emil Vett, founders of Magasin du Nord, the historic Danish department store. The foundation supports design projects in Denmark and aims to honor the founders’ contribution to Danish culture and commerce
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