Having just opened his second Day Birger et Mikkelsen store in SA at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, Keld Mikkelsen took time out of busy schedule to talk summer trends, celebs and travel tips.
Have you always had an interest in fashion?
No, I wanted to be a musician like my father. I’m from a very small village in Denmark and one day they opened a store with Italian jeans. Even though it wasn’t something men did back then, I thought it would be a great idea to work there. After that, I started working for other brands and became a big fashion lover, but it was completely by coincidence.
We are receiving the autumn/winter 16/17 collection now – will this work for our SA summer?
Definitely! The brand is no longer that seasonal and we don’t change much in terms of colour either, keeping our light and neutral colour palette which includes black and grey. The new collection features embellishments, embroidery and prints, and it’s also very dress-oriented, with a variety of styles to choose from.
What are the summer staples that every woman should own?
A printed cardigan that you can throw over your shoulders in the evening, a dress that you feel comfortable in and that can take you from day to night, and a good pair of jeans.
Who are your female style icons?
Day Birger et Mikkelsen has always turned to Danish Malin Jou for inspiration because her style is effortless, India Hicks, not strictly for fashion but more for her way of life, and classic icons like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. They were never fashion victims and dressed courageously for their time.
Which celebs would you love to dress?
Katy Perry or Rihanna – I’m a huge music fan. They can pretty much do whatever they want, from arriving naked to being fully dressed. You never know what to expect.
What is your office like? Is everyone there stylish?
The design department is based in Lugano, Italy, as am I. You know exactly where you are when you enter the building because the staff is very trendy and are dressed to the nines every day.
What are your travel tips?
I really believe in travelling light. Don’t overpack and try to get everything into carry-on luggage. The way you can do it is to go with one idea. For example, don’t pack clothes in a multitude of colours as you won’t have room for five pairs of shoes. Pack two pairs of shoes (casual and formal), one pair of jeans and one pair of chinos. Think of items that will take you from day to night. Remember to dress comfortably when flying, but not too comfy – you are among other people after all!
Get your hands on a November issue of GLAMOUR to learn more about Day Birger et Mikkelsen!
Want more tips and tricks for getting summer-ready? Check out these 7 pieces to get you in the mood for summer and learn how t0 find your perfect summer scent.
