From Childhood Creativity to Paris Fashion Week

Rikke Vigander von Hirsch moved to Copenhagen and began her studies at the Scandinavian Academy of Fashion Design in 2020. It was here that her dream truly started to take shape, and shortly after enrolling, she founded her own clothing brand, “Rikke Vigander.”

Since 2020, she has been designing and producing her own garments, with her pieces being worn by several well-known fashion influencers. Among them are the Vollan twins, Petra Henriette, Katarina Krebs, and the music group Undergrunn.

In 2023, she started an internship at GANNI, and today, she works as an Assistant Designer for the brand. One of the dresses she created for GANNI was seen on rapper Ice Spice at the Roskilde Festival in the summer of 2024. Additionally, she had the opportunity to showcase her work at Paris Fashion Week in 2024, marking a significant milestone in her career.

Rikke reflects on her childhood as a time filled with creativity. Creating has always been an essential part of her life, and those around her encouraged her passion.

“My grandmother was a textile artist and taught me from an early age how to weave, knit, embroider, and sew. I loved accompanying her to the weaving studio—it was such a special experience.”

“She has been my greatest inspiration and has played a crucial role in my creative development.”

Before the pandemic, Rikke had not sewn many garments, but COVID-19 gave her the time to experiment with her passion. She started with simple wrap dresses for friends, but soon, more people began reaching out, requesting custom-made pieces.

“Suddenly, I had a lot to do, and my skills evolved into creating more complex silhouettes. My living room floor was constantly covered with fabrics and patterns, and I spent days and nights at the sewing machine.”

One of the garments that holds the most sentimental value for Rikke is a denim top she wove during her second year at school. For the project, she repurposed leftover scraps that her classmates were about to discard.

“I wove it during a weekend visit to my grandmother, and it was the last project we shared before she passed away a few months later. That assignment also sparked my deep interest in upcycling.”

The creative process behind a garment varies every time. Where does one begin, and how does one arrive at the final product? Rikke explains that she rarely has a strict plan — which is what makes the process exciting.

“I love working with materials that one might not immediately consider suitable for clothing.”

For Rikke, the process often starts with an idea about a material, but each project is different.

“Sometimes, I have a limited amount of fabric, a vintage garment that needs a new life, or an unconventional material that I want to turn into something wearable. Some projects involve lots of experimentation, while in others, I know exactly what I want from the start.”

“The more restrictions I have, the more creative I feel.”

Her unconventional material choices are also influenced by accessibility. High-quality textiles are often limited when working on a small scale, and they can be expensive — a challenge for an emerging designer.

“Being a small, independent designer and trying to be as sustainable as possible can be tough. I do my best by focusing on upcycling and constantly seeking innovative ways to minimize waste.”

Sustainability in the fashion industry is a pressing issue. Rikke acknowledges that discussions around environmental responsibility in fashion can sometimes weigh heavily on her.

“It’s probably what troubles me the most. At times, I feel guilty for working in this industry, but at the same time, I’m proud to be part of GANNI. We are transparent about our goals and actively innovate in material choices.”

GANNI emphasizes education about areas that need improvement and provides concrete data to show the impact of design choices. For Rikke, this is a major source of motivation.

“I do my best to use existing materials in my designs and hope that, in the future, I will have the resources to make a significant difference.”

“My goal is never to create yet another brand that contributes to overproduction. If I ever feel that’s the direction I’m heading, I would rather switch industries to something more meaningful.”

For Rikke, the greatest recognition comes from people who reach out wanting to collaborate — especially when they are individuals she admires.

How does it feel to see someone wearing clothes you designed?

“It’s incredibly inspiring, and even more exciting if I see it in real life! I remember my very first Copenhagen Fashion Week in 2023 when I randomly spotted Petra Henriette Rufi wearing a corset I had made from old cowboy boots. She was being photographed by numerous photographers across the street—it was such an amazing moment!”

In the summer of 2024, Rikke had the opportunity to design outfits for the music group Undergrunn for their festival tour.

“I’m really impressed by what they have achieved, which made working with them even more exciting.”

Rikke worked closely with the band members and their fashion director, Nathalie Rosenborg, creating a series of upcycled garments made from vintage clothing and deadstock fabrics.

“The most important thing for me is that people feel comfortable in my designs.”

“I want my designs to be both visually captivating and functional for everyday wear.”

Rikke believes that clothing should be both admired and worn. She acknowledges that even in her own wardrobe, she has pieces she finds beautiful but doesn’t feel entirely comfortable in—so they stay untouched.