Ask any fashion editor, and they’ll tell you that Danish designers are among the most exciting in the world right now. These days, Copenhagen Fashion Week is just as watched as the likes of Paris and Milan, with journalists and influencers flocking to the Danish capital twice a year to witness its fresh, playful aesthetic in person. And one local label that you’re guaranteed to find Scandi fashion insiders sporting is Anonymous Copenhagen, the if-you-know-you-know accessories brand offering timeless staples with a twist.
A footwear company which has now expanded into handbags and small leather accessories, Anonymous Copenhagen was founded back in 2012 with a select few independent stores in the Danish city – these days, it is stocked across the world, though it still maintains an indie reputation.
Despite this, word has caught on, since the likes of Olivia Rodrigo and ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ it-girl Lola Tung have both worn the brand in 2025. So how does a global label maintain its under-the-radar coolness?
It’s mostly down to quiet marketing and slow growth. In fact, most of Anonymous Copenhagen’s success is down to its loyal customers who rely on its comfort, quality and sustainability principles – there are no bells and whistles, big brand campaigns or celebrity ambassadors. Even its founder, Alexander Ziegler Petersen, remains relatively unseen, rarely giving media interviews.
What we do know is that the B Corp-certified brand only sources leather from LWG-certified tanneries, and keeps all production within Europe. “We only produce what is needed, working with carefully planned quantities rather than mass production,” Petersen told Forbes in March 2025. “Our European-based production allows us to keep tighter control over volumes, reducing unnecessary waste, while ensuring that every pair is made with purpose.”
Some might say there’s still more to be done, since the company states that it only uses chrome-free leather for its shoe liners rather than the entirety of its product line – though it does say that all its other leathers are made using ‘minimal chromium’. That said, its supplier list is pretty extensive, sharing the country of origin for each of its materials, as well as their LWG certifications.
Known mostly for its staple boots and flats, the brand did expand with a line of trainers in 2025 – something the founder described as a “natural evolution” for the brand. “Our customers value quality, craftsmanship, and timeless design, and we wanted to bring those same principles to a more casual, everyday category,” he said.
Again, the styles are crafted in LWG-certified leathers and suedes, made in its factories in Portugal and Italy. With vintage-inspired silhouettes and stitching, they certainly fit with the AC aesthetic: always classic, never trendy. “We wanted to create sneakers that feel nostalgic, yet relevant; this ensures that they remain effortlessly wearable beyond fleeting trends,” Petersen told Forbes.
“Sustainability is not a trend for us, it is a fundamental principle; we carefully select materials that are durable and ethically sourced, ensuring that our shoes are made to be worn for years, not just a season,” he added.
With that said, it’s anyone’s guess what’s next for Anonymous Copenhagen, since the brand is so obviously measured in what it chooses to release. As for whether it will maintain its low-profile status, that remains to be seen.
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