haervaerk

HÆRVÆRK, the Danish word for ‘vandalism,’ was a menswear brand founded by designer Niels Guntoft Hansen after his graduation from London's Royal College of Art. Debuting around 2016, the label quickly gained attention for its presentations at Copenhagen Fashion Week. The brand was rooted in the youth culture of Denmark, telling what the designer called “social realistic stories served as a fantasy.” Hansen, a former skater and musician, channeled the experience of growing up in the city into the collections, exploring the tension between youthful freedom and societal rules.\n\nThe brand’s style was a mix of high-end streetwear and punk, with clear influences from industrial uniforms and skate culture. Collections featured slouchy, dramatized silhouettes, unconventional, self-produced textiles, and bold color combinations. HÆRVÆRK was described as capturing a lazy, pre-teenage attitude through garments that felt both goofy and raw. After a few seasons of showing at Copenhagen Fashion Week and winning the International Talent Support award, the brand ceased operations in 2019, with its founder moving on to other creative and academic roles.