Copenhagen Fashion Week has always been a playground for innovation, but the Spring/Summer 2026 edition pushed the conversation even further with accessories that were daring, playful, and refreshingly unexpected. While silhouettes and tailoring dazzled on the runways, it was the small details—rat-shaped handbags, toy-inspired charms, and the revival of the scrunchie—that defined the season’s character.
The Rat Bag: Turning Rebellion into Luxury
Few items captured attention as strongly as the rat clutch introduced by Anne Sofie Madsen. Inspired by artist Esben Weile Kjær’s installations, these sculptural bags came in metallic finishes with jewel-like eyes, carried defiantly by their tails.
Far from being a mere gimmick, the “glam rat” symbolised resilience, disruption, and the blurred line between trash and treasure. By transforming a creature often associated with survival into a fashion icon, Madsen created a subversive accessory that was both satirical and chic. Critics praised it as a witty intersection of street symbolism and high design—a conversation starter that reflects the Danish appetite for conceptual artistry.
Labubu Charms: Childlike Joy in High Fashion
Away from the catwalk, street-style insiders leaned into Labubu charms and other collectible figurines as key bag accessories. These little creatures—originally part of Pop Mart’s toy universe—were clipped onto luxury handbags ranging from Hermès Birkins to Prada classics.
The result was a striking clash of high and low: timeless luxury reimagined through a lens of nostalgia and playfulness. Known as the “kidult” aesthetic, this approach highlights fashion’s growing interest in personal storytelling. Rather than keeping bags pristine, wearers decorated them like childhood treasures, showing that accessories can carry as much personality as the person holding them.
Scrunchies: A Gentle Return
Once dismissed as a relic of the late ’80s and ’90s, the scrunchie found its way back into the spotlight with a new sophistication. Designers showcased them in muted tones, recycled fabrics, and knit textures—subtle but deliberate.
Paired with sleek ponytails or low buns, the scrunchie now signals minimalism and sustainability rather than excess. It embodies a shift towards accessories that are both gentle on the hair and aligned with eco-conscious values, turning something once mocked into an understated statement piece.
Why These Three?
Together, rats, Labubus, and scrunchies illustrate Copenhagen’s unique blend of provocation and play:
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The Rat Clutch challenges conventions by elevating an urban survivor into a fashion object.
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Labubu Charms prove that luxury can also be whimsical, nostalgic, and deeply personal.
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Scrunchies ground the season in quiet practicality and sustainability.
This trio reflects the core spirit of Copenhagen Fashion Week—design that refuses to take itself too seriously while still pushing cultural boundaries.
✨ Final Word:
SS26 showed that accessories don’t just complete a look; they carry narratives, emotions, and bold statements. Whether you’re clutching a rat, clipping on a Labubu, or tying your hair with a scrunchie, the message is clear: individuality reigns.
