Drawing on Karen Blixen’s lifelong relationship with flowers, Skall Studio presents its most intimate, moody show to date, honing in on considered wool tailoring and its enduring commitment to craft
Renowned Danish author Karen Blixen is, in many ways, the ultimate Skall Studio muse; brilliant, full of integrity and with an effortless style that’s distinctly her own. For autumn/winter 2026, sibling designers Julie and Marie Skall honed in on a very specific aspect of Blixen’s being. “The starting point was Karen Blixen and her lifelong relationship with flowers,” say Julie and Marie. “We were interested in how flowers exist in her world not as something fragile or decorative, but as something enduring, almost symbolic of strength, reflection and continuity.” Placed on each seat was a delicate Muscari flower, its roots still attached, waiting to be planted at one’s home (perhaps a bit unrealistic for international guests but charming nonetheless).
This is a darker interpretation of florals; one that embodies the notion that as much as blooms symbolise life and rebirth, they also evoke death and decay. It’s an unexpected mood (or moodiness, rather) for Skall Studio, which is known for revelling in an aesthetic of bohemian lightness. “This collection feels heavier, more introspective and more wintery than what people might expect from us,” note Julie and Marie. “The way florals are treated, emerging from darkness and paired with strong tailoring, shows a slightly more serious, grounded side of Skall while staying true to our DNA.”
The show itself, too, is uncharted territory. Skall’s most intimate presentation to date (just 100 guests were in attendance), it took place at Kunstnerforeningen af 18. November, the historic home of an artist’s association. "With only 100 guests, the focus is on presence and atmosphere allows the audience to experience the garments up close, emphasising materiality, silhouette, and movement,” note the designers. The distinguished, tucked away setting – the ashwood flooring, the flickering lights of candelabras – and the expressive live vocals of Nepal-born, New York-based artist Varsha Thapa, created a quiet yet palpable energy as the models emerged.
It was a tightly-edited collection – just 20 looks – pointedly emphasising Skall’s exploration of craft and materials. Those flowers are not merely prints, but woven into the very fabrics. Delicate floral embroidery and ladylike lace bring moments of femininity to the darker paisley florals, rendered in rich browns and reds. Tailoring, in hearty wool, is the backbone of the offering, giving way to silhouettes that are, as the designers put it, “composed, strong and timeless”. Rendered in stripes and checks, the relaxed trousers and smart blazers are precisely the sort of pieces Blixen herself may have worn. In a more literal reference to the author, a roll-neck knit in the striking hue dubbed Blixen Blue. Models carried wicker baskets filled with blankets and flowers, one even had a pair of skates slung over her shoulder (the Heated Rivalry effect?).
But through the darkness, there is light. “The idea of flowers continuing to bloom in darkness reflects a sense of quiet strength and hope,” say Julie and Mari. “It aligns with Skall’s ongoing commitment to longevity, conscious design, and enduring wardrobes.
See the full Skall Studio AW26 collection below.
