This Copenhagen Fashion Week, 66°North is preparing to celebrate a century as a premier outerwear brand. Whilst many would take this as an opportunity to reflect on the past, the Icelandic label is all about the future - how far they have come and where they will go next
Nearly a century of innovation, design, and reinvention has brought Icelandic outerwear brand 66°North to a defining moment at Copenhagen Fashion Week. With anticipation running high, the brand has invited a select group of guests to mark the beginning of a year-long celebration through an immersive exhibition titled '100 Years of Progress. Still Made for Life.'
"Our journey over the last hundred years has been marked by innovation, without compromising on the core values built into the company since its inception," says brand CEO Heglí Óskarsson. "This Copenhagen Fashion Week exhibition reflects our unwavering dedication to craftsmanship, durability, and purposeful design, and offers guests an insight into the inner workings of our factories and repair shops."
The exhibition brings to life the processes that have shaped the brand's reputation for enduring quality. From the meticulous drafting of patterns to the final construction of garments, visitors were given an intimate, behind-the-scenes view of what it takes to create products that can withstand Iceland's extreme conditions - and the test of time. Alongside archival pieces and hands-on installations, the exhibit shines a light on the brand's celebrated circular practices, such as repairs and upcycling, reinforcing its long-held ethos of longevity over throwaway fashion.
Yet, whilst the centennial exhibition is a powerful tribute to the past, it is also a stage to showcase what is next, as the unveiling of the SS26 collection forms the heart of the brand's forward-looking message – and it is here that 66°North reasserts its relevance.
The spring/summer '26 collection brings fresh energy to the brand's iconic silhouettes, merging decades of functional know-how with contemporary innovation. Among the standout pieces is the Dyngja Shell Jacket, a reimagining of the classic fisherman's coat fused with high-performance, waterproof materials that embody maritime heritage in a modern form.
Also featured are new iterations of technical outerwear staples such as the Tindur Shearling Fleece Jacket and Helgafell Softshell, both of which draw on 66°North's deep roots in mountaineering and performance gear. Designed for life in motion - whether on volcanic slipes or city streets - these pieces blur the lines between utilitarian function and elevated form.
As 66°North prepares to step into its second century, this moment at Copenhagen Fashion Week is more than a celebration of what has been. It's a bold declaration of what's to come: a brand grounded in tradition, driven by purpose, and continually evolving for the future.
See all the looks from 66°North's SS26 collection below.
