Ganni Spring 2027: Dream Big

How Childhood Memories Shaped the Design Process

Copenhagen-based fashion label Ganni unveiled its Spring 2027 collection in a presentation that tapped into designer Ditte Reffstrup’s earliest memories of playing dress-up as a child. The show, held during Copenhagen Fashion Week, centered on the emotional experience of childhood wonder and the joy of imagining oneself as something bigger. Reffstrup drew directly from personal recollections of borrowing her sister’s clothes and trying on her mother’s shoes, translating those nostalgic moments into a wearable narrative.

The collection embraced exaggerated proportions and playful silhouettes as a visual metaphor for youthful aspiration. Oversized blazers, elongated sleeves, and voluminous skirts were paired with delicate details like ruffled collars and soft pastel hues to evoke a sense of innocence and imagination. Reffstrup explained that the designs were not about literal costume play but about capturing the feeling of freedom and possibility that comes with childhood dressing-up rituals. Fabrics ranged from lightweight organza to structured cotton, chosen to balance whimsy with wearability.

What Does It Mean to Dress Like You’re Growing Up?

Reffstrup described the creative journey as deeply personal, saying she wanted to revisit the unselfconscious joy she felt as a child experimenting with identity through clothing. „It wasn’t about copying what I wore then,” she noted in backstage comments, „but about remembering how it felt to put on something that made me feel taller, braver, more seen.” This emotional core influenced every decision, from the placement of embellishments to the choice of accessories like miniature bags and scaled-down jewelry that echoed childhood playthings. The team even sourced vintage children’s clothing for reference, studying how small garments were constructed and adorned.

The collection posed a quiet question about the relationship between clothing and self-perception, particularly during formative years. By amplifying scale and proportion, Ganni invited wearers to consider how clothes can act as tools for transformation—not just outwardly, but inwardly. The response from attendees highlighted a resonance with the theme, with many noting how the pieces felt both nostalgic and forward-looking. Critics observed that the collection avoided pastiche, instead using memory as a springboard for modern, optimistic dressing.

What inspired the exaggerated proportions in the Spring 2027 collection? The oversized silhouettes were inspired by childhood memories of wearing adult clothing that felt too big, symbolizing the desire to grow into one’s identity and imagine future possibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Ditte Reffstrup incorporate personal memories into the designs? She drew from specific recollections of stealing her sister’s clothes and trying on her mother’s shoes, using those sensory experiences to inform fabric choices, details, and the overall emotional tone of the collection.

Was the collection meant to be literal children’s wear? No, the designs were not intended as actual children’s clothing but as adult pieces that evoke the feeling and imagination associated with childhood dress-up and self-discovery.