Cecilie Bahnsen SS25 @ Paris Fashion Week
Cecilie Bahnsen Channels Romance, Nature, and Modernity With Three Unexpected Collaborations
Image Credit: Vogue Scandinavia
Danish designer Cecilie Bahnsen turned feminine form into function in her Spring/Summer 2025 collection at Paris Fashion Week—delving into unique collaborations that extend beyond her signature ethereal aesthetic. Known for her delicate, cloud-like silhouettes, Bahnsen stayed true to her soft, romantic roots while infusing modernity through collabs with The North Face, Asics, and Japanese photographer Takashi Homma.
Bahnsen’s SS25 show, entitled “The Crux”, showcased her masterful balance of femininity and function and pushed her creative boundaries with the unexpected pairing of sportswear and sneaker collaborations.
We saw a return to Scandinavian minimalism (a showcase of many all-black and army green looks in a maximalist market saturated in bold colors right now) mixed with timeless styling in her collection, reinforcing her commitment to creating pieces outside of trends. Though many of her dresses were on-trend as we’ve seen a wave of mini a-line doll-dresses and bubble skirts.
Juxtapositions
The collaboration with The North Face brought a more rugged, utilitarian edge to Bahnsen’s dreamy, romantic world. Duffel bags and backpacks—staples of The North Face’s adventurous spirit—paired unexpectedly but beautifully with Bahnsen’s voluminous floral-embellished dresses, adding a touch of practicality. This aesthetic duality, mixing the feminine with masculine elements, has become a defining feature of Bahnsen’s work.
Bahnsen also teamed up with Asics to ground the collection with functional yet chic footwear. Models—including professional rock climbers and athletes—wore practical sneakers that added a streetwear edge to the otherwise romantic looks. The collaboration highlights Bahnsen’s embrace of versatility and the seamless blending of contrasting styles. Juxtaposed by femininity, her designs are complemented with the masculine edginess of her SS25 collaborations.
What’s so loved about Bahnsen’s collections is that they transcend seasons, creating timeless pieces that feel relevant year after year. Her Fabrics of the Future initiative remains central to her work, ensuring that her unique, bespoke textiles are adhered to sustainably standards, in line with her commitment to responsible fashion. “Creating collections that will be loved just as much next year as this year,” she explains, remains at the heart of her timeless universe.
This season’s collection reaffirms Bahnsen’s ability to seamlessly merge beauty with functionality while expanding her world through thoughtful, culturally relevant collaborations that reinforce her status as one of the most forward-thinking designers of our time.
“For me, there is power and strength in romance and femininity. I make clothes for women to feel comfortable and strong and independent. I started out in London and Paris and the romance and the detail is the inspiration I bring from those cities. But always with the Scandinavian minimalism and ease that is me. It needs to feel effortless.”
– Cecilie Bahnsen, Founder and Creative Director
Gorpcore Lives On
Dazed’s headline “Gorpcore lives on at Cecilie Bahnsen’s PFW SS25 show” underscores the utilitarian collaborations that juxtapose her collection’s vision. Gorpcore is a fashion trend that embraces functional, outdoor-inspired clothing. The name "Gorpcore" comes from the acronym "GORP," which stands for "Good Ol' Raisins and Peanuts," a staple snack for hikers.
Dazed noted “it was only a few days ago that Noah Johnson, GQ’s Global Style Director, declared the gorpcore trend “fully dead”. Yet it’s already regained a pulse at Paris Fashion Week this season.” As the Danish womenswear label celebrated her collaboration with The North Face on the runway, it instantly became one of the most exciting cross-overs to come from fashion month. Against an industrial cement backdrop, the models walked the runway in hyper-feminine renditions of dresses, mountain jackets, shorts, the Base Camp Clutch, the Base Camp Duffel, and the Glenclyffe Boot.
Drawing inspiration from The North Face’s ethos, “never stop exploring”, the waterproof and practical nature of the all-black pieces only added to the show’s mountain-themed throughline. The seven piece collaboration with The North Face brought a rugged, utilitarian edge to Bahnsen’s dreamy, romantic world. Duffel bags and backpacks—paired unexpectedly but beautifully with Bahnsen’s voluminous floral-embellished dresses, adding a touch of practicality. This aesthetic duality, mixing the feminine with masculine elements, has become a defining feature of Bahnsen’s work.
“It has to work for real life; we’re biking in the wind, it’s rainy, nature decides, and our clothes have to work for all of it,” she said in a press release from the brand. “This collection is my tribute to Ingrid Harshbarger, the late designer at The North Face, whose meticulous craftsmanship I admire endlessly.” According to Bahnsen, the collection has even sparked a newfound fascination with mountain climbers. “There’s a strength and complexity in what they do, yet it appears so graceful and effortless, almost like ballet – performed vertically on a cliff edge,” she said.
Technical fabrics like recycled polyester ripstop were transformed into lightweight windbreaker coats and layered over floral-trimmed shorts, adorned with 3D-floral appliques scattered across the surface of North Face duffle bags, infusing Bahnsen’s couture touch.
Her show celebrated the “balletcore” and “gorpcore” crossover we didn't know we needed—fans of The North Face or Cecilie Bahnsen (or both) will have to wait until Spring 2025 to shop the collection. The exclusive collaboration will only be available on the Cecilie Bahnsen website, in stores at selected The North Face locations, and at a limited selection of retail partners.
Yet another juxtaposition was Homma's ethereal imagery and music that transported show-goers to the serene mountains outside Tokyo, projected across the runway space. His visual and sonic contributions echoed Bahnsen’s inspiration, capturing the beauty of nature and melding it with her artistic vision. “This collection is a tribute to those mountains, their beauty, and Takashi’s unique artistic vision,” Bahnsen said in the show notes.
Creating timeless pieces outside of trends, outside of seasonalities. Unique bespoke fabrics designed and manufactured with care. Creating collections that will be loved just as much next year as this year. Each season Cecilie Bahnsen expands her world and evolves the brand's codes. A timeless universe of her own.
See all the guest looks here and pre-order pieces to secure the coveted runway looks at ceciliebahnsen.com
View Cecilie Bahnsen’s SS25 Collection Below:
