Henrik Vibskov, Copenhagen: from Japanese to underground European designers
Designs from Vibskov himself and other varying works like Lampoon, Fantastic Man and Purple Magazine co-exist alongside perfumes, clothes, and accessories
A patron and almsgiver to the arts
Henrik Vibskov is an initiator and an individual. A portrait of his life’s work in the arts: «I regard my journey as a slalom into design and fashion. A foray I entered upon experimenting and engaging with music for an extended period in my childhood». When intending to pin the beginnings of Vibskov, one can look back to Denmark in 1972.
Born in the Danish countryside of Jutland, Vibskov led a relative childhood. Being the youngest of three children, Vibskov regards his youth to have been one that he navigated on his own. «My siblings were a decade or so older than me. My brother and sister moved away from our family home while I was in my adolescence. This led me to discover facets of my childhood under my own guise». When he was 10, Vibskov received his first drum set – a gift from his siblings. This instrument is one that he regards as a cog and gateway into the arts.
An understanding of art to have a connection with the human senses
The creator explicates the beginnings of his journey into creating and playing music. «The drums acted as a key, allowing me to experiment and curate a multifarious story through music». Vibskov explains that he would find an understanding of art to have a connection with the human senses. Regarding that the ears and eyes are a unanimous unit of function, the creator discerned that the parity between the senses meant there was a narrative to draw and lead from.
«I accrued a sense of awareness on how individuals were perceived in the arts. As well as how they perceived it as well. If you were a part of the coterie, you would have to think, act, and consume aspects of art in a variety of ways. It was conforming». The commentary from the consumption of art is what led to the birth of his fashion label. The designer clarifies that when performing, for instance, musicians are styled to look a certain way. This prompts a visual appearance that is palatable for audience members. Vibskov realized his namesake label as a means to coalesce the facets of art through a comprehensive lens. He took reference and allusions from playing music and being a performer himself.
«Music is an inspiration for me. It is a part of me that stems from my childhood. It led me to perform on tour for a period of seven years. This is where I draw my ingenuity from». The connectedness between design and art is perceived through in the end product – pieces crafted for Vibskov’s label of the same name, Henrik Vibskov.
Henrik Vibskov: music and design
His time spent receiving his secondary education was one he regards as a hurdle he overcame without reprieve. «My time in high school was not one I would consider having been without its challenges. I did graduate, at the age of seventeen and proceeded to live on my own».
It would be from this point out that Vibskov would navigate himself into an education in Central Saint Martins. This would open doors and present opportunities that would cast him as the renowned designer. Upon leaving the care and comfort of his family home, Vibskov enrolled into engineering school.
His time here was one he regards to have been as «dry», prompting him to drop out after a year and a half into the degree. Unsure of the possibilities of his future, Vibskov ventured into music, a foray that he partook in for a period of four years. «I spent my time playing music before receiving an acceptance into a foundational program for design. At the time, my intent was set towards entering architecture school – but I was not accepted into it due to it being full». This Vibskov regards, as his first step into the domain of design.
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Hillevi Van Deurs Design School in Copenhagen and Central Saint Martins
The institution in which Vibskov obtained the foundations of his tertiary education was the Hillevi Van Deurs Design School in Copenhagen. It was during his time here that he decided on pursuing design as the main course of education. Music and acting were some of the other courses being offered at the school. Vibskov adds, «I had already spent fourteen years of my life learning music on my own. Acting was never going to be an option for me – I never was confident enough for the craft. The choice to partake in design would lead me down the path to what I am today».
The creator’s time at the design school in Copenhagen would last half a year before he was suggested to take on designing seriously and apply to one of the national design schools in Copenhagen. This is where Vibskov’s changed. It would be because of a girl that he relocates to one of London’s art institutions. «I met a girl who was interested in furthering her studies at Central Saint Martins so I did the same. The experience was not one that I was expecting». Having relocated from Denmark to a metropolitan city like London, Vibskov found the adjustment to be challenging.
Henrik Vibskov – Student to Creator
Upon his arrival in Central Saint Martins, the designer found it difficult to make friends and seek out like-minded peers who shared similar interests. It was until he took part in the college’s White Show – where he was celebrated for his presentation that he felt a sense of joie de vivre during his time at the university. Upon completion of his foundation in Central Saint Martins, he was offered a music gig for a period of four weeks.
This was met with disapproval from his lecturers. «I was unsure of what to do at this period of my life. Design remained a passion, but I was unsure of which area to further explore». Upon completing his musical venture, Vibskov gained insight into what he would be completing his degree upon – a series on pigs. «The reason why I chose the subject matter was due to the fact that I grew up in the countryside. My grandmother had a farm that she tended to and there, she raised pigs. It was only appropriate to name and revolve the subject matter as such».
From here, Vibskov curated an entire collection based on the farm animal, curating pieces dedicated to the farm life and even bags that resembled pigs, constructed out of cotton. His designs gained the attention of artists, designers akin to him and the media. Citing that the Pigs travelled around locations, one being Japan for an exhibition and was featured in Dazed and Confused. «My graduate designs were first being featured in independent magazines but over time talked about on renowned news media outlets».
A member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Mode Masculine
Upon graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2001, the designer would go on to distinguish himself as a revered force in the design community. Creating pieces, exhibitions, and performances across locations, Vibskov gradually accrued a name for himself. In the year 2003, two years after his graduation from Central Saint Martins, the designer was made a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Mode Masculine becoming one of the few Scandinavian designers on the show’s official schedule for Paris Fashion Week.
After five years of independently creating pieces and having it sold in concept and high-end department stores, Vibskov formatted his namesake store in 2006 in Copenhagen and another one in New York in 2011.
The Physicality of Henrik Vibskov
The physical space of Henrik Vibskov acts as a library – where designers, pieces and collections are collected to be presented to the members of the world. «My intent to having a multifarious store was reasoned by the intent of not being secluded in terms of consumption and thinking. Carrying and selling an item from a single designer is unrevolutionary and prompts no critical thought in consumption».
As such, Vibskov began operating his namesake concept store by carrying brands from Japanese and underground European designers. There was a space for the representation of Avant-garde and Scandinavian designers. A plan that has been seen through from the beginning into today.
«Alongside to my label, there are items from Maison Margiela, Commes des Garçon, Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Miyake to name a few. Items vary in price to allow for better offering to our clientele». Along to carrying clothing items, the boutique of the same name also carries concept items and esoteric periodicals.
Works from Vibskov himself and other varying works like Lampoon, Fantastic Man and Purple Magazine co-exist alongside perfumes, clothes, and accessories. Currently working on a ballet with the Swedish Royal Ballet and realizing his artwork in a museum in Copenhagen, Vibskov adds that in the near future there is an upcoming exhibition dedicated to his work and life as a creator.
Henrik Vibskov
Gammel Mønt 14, Copenhagen K 1117, Denmark.
A creator, designer, artist, curator and business owner, Henrik Vibskov’s realities are brought forth and exemplified in the physical spaces he occupies – namely his boutiques selling garments and concept items.
