From Fashion Student to Industry Trailblazer

On a Thursday morning in Vingårdstræde, outside Magasin’s staff entrance, we meet Mads Barfod, casually strolling in his own recognizable designs. His latest collection, created in collaboration with Magasin, is deeply rooted in his school experiences, an inspiration that manifests in every piece.

“The idea behind the designs is that the color, for example, is one that I have always used and will be featured across various styles in the collection, including a down jacket. So, the color is a recurring theme throughout. The silhouette itself is inspired by a school janitor. As for the trousers, they are a fusion of classic suit pants mixed with a ’70s-’80s sports pant, reminiscent of Kappa, with snap buttons,” Mads explains.

Mads designs clothes for himself, fully aware that this might come off as somewhat self-centered. However, this is how his journey began. When asked about his style and how it is reflected in the collection, he responds:

“This is something I would wear every day. I started designing my own clothes simply because I couldn’t afford the pieces I wanted, so I had to teach myself how to sew. Now, I just hope others think I have good enough style for them to wear it too,” Mads says with a smile as we take the escalator up to Magasin’s design studio, where he has been working for the past few months.

Heidi Lundehøj, Head of Style, Design, and Sourcing at Magasin, saw potential in Mads’ craftsmanship, precision, and discipline. Together with Danish fashion icon Mads Nørgaard, she decided to invest in his designs, offering DKK 200,000 for purchases, mentoring with Magasin’s design team, and a media package.

Mads’ passion for fashion started at the age of 13-14 when he became fascinated by high-end fashion pieces he couldn’t afford.

“I remember it so clearly. It all started when I saw a Gucci sweater that I obviously couldn’t afford. So, I wanted to try sewing it myself. The original had knitted edges, and since I couldn’t knit, I asked my mom to do it for me. That was when I realized there was something I was actually good at— something I could sit still for.”

As we step into Magasin’s design studio, Mads explains that each outfit in his new collection is inspired by teachers or moments from his school years that left a lasting impression.

“I don’t have many good memories from school, but the first outfit is inspired by the janitor at my school. He was someone who could do everything, and I have always admired people like that. The trousers I’m wearing are inspired by P.E. classes, my favorite subject. Another outfit is based on my two favorite teachers—one always wore denim, and the other wool—so I created a half-denim, half-wool suit. The final outfit is inspired by school field trips, one of the few moments I enjoyed in school. The whole collection is an attempt to find something positive in a school experience that I otherwise remember as quite negative.”

Mads also shares how being diagnosed with ADD gave him some clarity.

“I had no idea why I couldn’t sit still. Eventually, I was diagnosed with ADD, which helped me understand myself better. At least I had an explanation for my behavior.”

Participating in Danmarks Næste Tøjdesigner has given Mads a newfound understanding of himself and his work.

“For two months, I worked non-stop from 6 AM to midnight, sewing to ensure everything was exactly how I envisioned it. I’ve realized that I can accomplish far more than I thought and that my first instincts are usually the right ones.”

When discussing the functionality of his designs, Mads emphasizes comfort and fit.

“I like feeling comfortable in what I wear. There’s nothing worse than clothes that don’t fit properly. My goal is for my pieces to feel like a natural extension of the body.”

Regarding his logo, Mads prefers subtle branding.

“I don’t think every garment needs a name on it. My surname is Barfod, and my logo consists of six squares representing the letters in Barfod. These squares can be used individually or together. To me, they also symbolize a picture frame, where I can insert a print or design element.”

As for the future, Mads remains focused on the present.

“I don’t anticipate either struggles or successes ahead of time. That’s something I learned early on—it makes things easier. It’s a way of protecting myself, something I also did in school. But my ambition is definitely to live off my own clothing brand and make this my career.”

Mads Barfod is a graduate of the Scandinavian Academy of Fashion Design, and his journey from student to emerging fashion talent showcases the power of passion and perseverance. His collaboration with Magasin is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting career in fashion, proving that with dedication and a clear vision, anything is possible.