Presented annually to a designer demonstrating exceptional originality, creativity, and entrepreneurial vision, the prize celebrates the next generation of Danish fashion designers shaping the future of the industry. This was the first time the winner was announced during Copenhagen Fashion Week, providing the winner an international platform and increased global visibility. The 2026 winner, Frederik Berner Kühl received DKK 300,000 (€40,000) to support the continued growth and development of his brand. The announcement concludes a landmark year for the prize, as it introduced a new evaluation format designed to give the jury a deeper understanding of the designers behind the brands. Kicked off earlier this year with finalists Berner Kühl, Bonnetje, Caro Editions, and O. Files welcomed members of the international jury into their studios, offering a rare insight into their creative processes, working methods, and long-term ambitions. Combined with the public presentations and shows during Copenhagen Fashion Week, the process enabled the jury to evaluate not only each finalist's final collections, but also their vision, craftsmanship, leadership, and entrepreneurial capabilities required to build a lasting fashion business today. In addition to the cash prize, the winner this year also received a bespoke artwork by Copenhagen-based artist Esben Weile Kjær, whose multidisciplinary practice has earned international recognition for its exploration of identity, transformation, and contemporary culture. In recognition of their achievements, all finalists have all received a participation grant of DKK 75,000 (10,000 €), along with mentoring and industry support throughout the competition.

“To be recognised by the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize means so much to us. As a small brand, we have big ambitions, but we're often limited by the resources we have. Winning a prize like this gives us the opportunity to take the next step and grow the business without having to compromise on what we believe in. More than that, it's a reminder that you don't have to be the loudest voice in the room to make an impact. It means a lot that the jury recognised the craftsmanship, the expertise, and all the hard work and dedication that goes into every single product we create.”
— Frederik Berner Kühl, Creative Director & Winner of the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize 2026

“After more than a decade of the Prize, it felt important to evolve alongside the industry we support. By meeting the finalists in their own environments, we gained a far deeper understanding of how they think, work, and build their brands. The calibre of talent this year was exceptional, and Frederik Berner Kühl stood out for his ability to combine creative excellencewith a clear vision for the future.”
— Nina Wedell-Wedellsborg, Founder, Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize

“I felt very fortunate to be on the jury, and especially to have this format, to really get into the worlds of the designers, their imaginative worlds and their physical spaces. It's an extremely challenging job to be a designer. I think the impression is that fashion is all glamour, but fashion is 99% really hard work, and maybe 1% glamour, and, you know, especially when you're starting out. You have to be creative within limitations. You need to be very strong in yourself and your vision. And you need to have an idea of how you want to move forward and what that will take. Frederik Berner Kühl was very well prepared. He gave us an “if, not A, then B” plan. It was very clear to see how he had gotten to the point he was, and he was very clear in what the effect of the prize would have, the specific goals, and the specific ways that it might help him. And that was really confidence building for the jury, because you felt he had a very clear trajectory of the business, how economical he had been, and the responsibility he felt to his brand and his workers. For the past few years in fashion, menswear has been having a real moment. It's a place of extreme excitement in the industry, and I think Berner Kühl contributes to that in his quiet way. His clothing it’s cut for men, but it could be worn by anyone. Berner Kühl receiving the prize this year continues that story of men's wear being central to the conversation right now.
— Laird Borrelli-Persson, Senior Archive Editor, Vogue.com and Jury Member, the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize 2026

“The strength of the Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize lies in its commitment to long-term talent development. It recognizes that building a fashion brand takes more than creative talent – it requires resilience, clarity, and confidence to evolve. This year’s finalists demonstrated all of those qualities, and the winner stood out for a particularly compelling creative identity and a clear sense of direction.”
— Rebekka Bay, Creative Director of Marimekko and Jury Member

The winner of this year’s Prize will be announced during Copenhagen Fashion Week in August, following a jury process taking place this spring. The recipient of the main prize of 300,000 DKK (€40.000) will be selected based on sustainability and ethical responsibility, business vision, innovation, and originality of design. In addition to the main award, each finalist receives 75,000 DKK (€10.000) as well as mentoring in sales, production, PR, and business development.

The Prize is organized by the Wessel & Vett Foundation, established by the descendants of Magasin’s founders, Emil Vett and Theodor Wessel. While independent of the department store, the Foundation continues to support initiatives connected to its legacy and the advancement of Danish design.

The Prize was initiated by Nina Wedell-Wedellsborg, who also serves as CEO of Sotheby’s Denmark, Chair of the Niels Wessel Bagges Foundation, and Board Member of the Wessel & Vett Foundation.