CIFF x ELLE – Stepping Stone of the Year 2024
The Winner is: SKALL STUDIO
On Friday night, Skall Studio was announced as the winner of the inaugural Stepping Stone of the Year at the ELLE Awards 2024.
Created by CIFF, this award recognizes a Danish fashion brand poised for international success, celebrating brands that stand out through creativity, ambition, and a unique vision capable of reaching beyond Danish borders—all qualities that SKALL STUDIO embodies.
Reflecting on the award, CIFF’s director, Sofie Dolva, highlights its purpose and CIFF’s broader commitment to Danish fashion:
"We see ‘Stepping Stone of the Year’ as an opportunity to celebrate Danish brands with a compelling story to tell and a strong identity to share with the world. SKALL STUDIO is a remarkable example of how Danish fashion can bridge cultural values and timeless aesthetics. We are honored to recognize their talent and to support their journey toward continued growth on the global stage."
SKALL STUDIO, founded by designers Marie Skall and Julie Skall Fruensgaard, is known for its dedication to sustainability and refined design language. Receiving this award is a significant moment for them.
"We are very surprised and thrilled to win this award. We were up against some incredibly talented brands and designers, so this was completely unexpected," Marie and Julie Skall said to ELLE on the night of the Award Show in Copenhagen.”Seeing Skall unfold across the world is a dream for us, and this is a huge step in that direction."
The timing of SKALL STUDIO’s win aligns perfectly with another major initiative by CIFF: the upcoming launch of a new showroom in New York, a collaborative project between CIFF and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). This showroom aims to increase the visibility of Danish brands in one of the world’s most influential fashion markets, supporting their entry and long-term growth in the U.S.
“With the New York showroom, we are creating an essential platform for Danish brands to establish a long-term presence in the U.S. and foster closer ties with the American market,” adds Anna Sofie Dolva. “It’s an integral part of our mission to build bridges between Danish design and global audiences, strengthening the Danish fashion industry’s presence and impact worldwide.”
Through initiatives like the Stepping Stone of the Year and the launch of the New York showroom, CIFF reaffirms its commitment to elevating Danish fashion on the global stage.