Rave Rvw SS26: “Blommornas Makt” turns nostalgia into quiet resistance at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Setting the Stage in a Former Church

It is one thing to put flowers on a dress. It is another to turn them into a political manifesto disguised as a wardrobe. Rave Rvw’s Spring Summer 2026 show “Blommornas Makt” : Power of Flowers for those who left their Swedish at home : manages both under the gothic arches of Nikolaj Kunsthal, a former church in the centre of Copenhagen.

Stained-glass windows cast gentle colour spectrums over the runway, as if blessing the models one by one. The scene is soft yet charged with intent. Danish experimental artist FINE performed live, her airy, sentimental vocals wrapping the space in a calm intensity that made even the most distracted guest pause.

From 1960s Sweden to a Modern Manifesto

The roots of the collection lie in 1960s Sweden, a period when fashion and politics grew side by side. Designer Josephine Bergqvist recalls a chance encounter with artist Marie-Louise Ekman in her neighbourhood. That moment sent the team deep into Ekman’s surreal, comic-inspired works and her modelling days for Mah-Jong, a feminist fashion collective that rejected trend cycles in favour of bold prints, natural fibres and the radical idea that softness could be a form of strength. This philosophy still resonates within Rave Rvw’s approach to upcycling, nostalgia and visual protest.

The Flower as More Than a Motif

For this season the flower is not treated as a decorative cliché. It is a literal symbol of heritage, ritual and persistence. Research into global flower festivals informed much of the design process, from personal memories of Skåne’s small-town celebrations in the 1990s to the vivid tulip festivals of Holland.

The traditional Dutch Volendamse klederdracht with its strong-shouldered jackets, floral skirts, printed aprons, scarves and hats provided a clear structural influence. These elements reappear in the silhouettes, transformed for the present but retaining their ceremonial echoes.

Materials with Memory

The collection is built almost entirely from deadstock fabrics provided by Fabric House and Rave Rvw’s archive of vintage home textiles. Some transformations are striking, such as heat-pressed floral bed linens reimagined as a sharp pink blazer with a matching pencil skirt that blends charm with structure. Others are subtle, with chiffons, ginghams, cotton voiles and shirting stripes layered and folded until their origins feel like distant memories.

Silhouettes that Play with Structure

Garments fuse tailoring with an element of play. Hips and shoulders are reinforced with boning, a deconstructed pantie silhouette curves deliberately, and gathered double shirts twist structure into softness. Sheer overlays filter colour and create shifting transparencies, adding movement and depth. The result is a series of silhouettes that nod to historical dress traditions while feeling entirely contemporary.

Footwear and the Urban Edge

Footwear continues the brand’s collaboration with PUMA. Customized H-Street sneakers and Speedcat Ballets bring an urban sharpness to the otherwise romantic shapes, reinforcing the balance of elegance and motion that defines the collection.

Copenhagen Fashion Week as a Natural Home

Returning to Copenhagen Fashion Week felt like a natural decision for Rave Rvw. The event’s commitment to sustainability, experimentation and meaningful design mirrors the brand’s values. With an increasing number of high-end designers participating and a growing international profile, CPHFW offers a unique combination of intimacy and ambition.

A Collection with a Message

The Spring Summer 2026 runway show was created in collaboration with PUMA and Perwoll. Selected collaboration pieces will launch later in the season, with the full collection available for pre-order after the show.

More than just a seasonal statement, “Blommornas Makt” affirms that in the right hands a flower can be a protest sign, a memory and a love letter all at once.

ALL THE LOOKS FROM THE SHOW:

BACKSTAGE: