I came across Henrik Vibskov many years ago, when I was still a teen writing articles for a local art magazine, and I just recently rediscovered him – nonetheless, in an even brighter light. For me, Henrik was somewhat lost in unsystematic files of my found (and later, accidentally hidden) gems, but in reality – he continued to grow as an amazing designer and artist and has successfully put his name on the map.
“The Transparent Tongue” SS13
So let’s start with the beginning: Henrik Vibskov is a Danish fashion designer with a fashion label under his own name. He grew up in the middle of the countryside in Jutland, Denmark yet graduated from the well-known (and sometimes cursed) Central Saint Martins in London. Fun fact, in his interview with the Feature, he mentioned that he only applied to CSM to impress a girl. Newsflash – he got both the girl and the diploma. Actually, a pretty impressive career with that, too.
“The Mint Institute” AW08
“Stuck Under The Surface” SS20, photo: Victor Jones
The former small-town boy engages in visual art, music, and fashion from his base in Copenhagen. He’s a man of many talents – makes accessories, does interior design and is active as a musician. He has quite a few awards under his belt, has produced large-scale solo exhibitions at museums and galleries, designed costumes for numerous operas and performances – so crowning him with a single title would be a vast underestimation.
“0000 : State on State, Chicago”
As many of his followers, I’m mostly mesmerised by Vibskov’s la-la-lands: he invents warped yet mesmerising unique universes and a set of logic in relation to each of his fashion collection. Each of his shows looks more like art performances, making me question if he makes fashion artsier, or the other way around – art more fashionable?
Either way, it’s safe to say that his work steers clear of Scandinavian minimalism. Unlike, his Danish comrades he uses colors. Many of them… He’s more colourful and louder, he’s the avant-gardist of new generation.
“Please Analyse Moisturize Volumize Me”, photo: Alastair Wiper
Henrik designs collections that bewitch audience biannually and has produced many, 36 to be exact, men’s (and later also women´s) collections since he graduated from Central St. Martin’s in 2001. Currently, he’s the only Scandinavian designer on the official show schedule of the Paris Men’s Fashion Week, which he has been since January 2003.
“Eskapist”, photo: Nils-Emil Nylander
Museum of Art and Craft NYC
“The Big Wet Shiny Boobies”, “The Land of the Black Carrots”, “The Solar Donkey Experiment”, “The Great Chain Of Sleepers”, “ The Kitchen Of The Non-Existent” are just a few names of many shows that Henrik has brought to the public. Each title refers to one of his hypnotic worlds. And I have to say… He has a bit of a copywriter in him too.
So, to wrap it up: Vibskov has succeeded in establishing a recognisable and unique signature style and has already executed it across multiple disciplines. He’s praised by both critics and buyers – he understands that people crave the otherworldliness, and so delivers it to them. His show-goers participate in something twisted from daily life and for someone like me, who’s not necessarily interested in the fashion industry per se, it definitely sells his fashion shows.
Artist’s website | Instagram | Facebook
Image courtesy of – Henrik Vibskov
“The Human Laundry Service” AW09