Danish label Mfpen, founded by Sigurd Bank, has been operating with a quiet, deliberate approach. They don’t advertise heavily, nor do they participate in traditional fashion shows, except for occasional exceptions. This isn’t a calculated strategy but rather Bank’s natural way of doing business. His approach has yielded impressive results, with Mfpen becoming a cult favorite for its understated aesthetic. The brand’s vibe is low-key, with a muted color palette and classic silhouettes, offering suiting options for men that don’t scream “office” and loafers with a safety pin replacing the traditional penny. Mfpen’s unique selling proposition is its commitment to using deadstock fabrics, which limits production runs and fosters a sense of exclusivity. Last year, Bank introduced a women’s line, closely aligned with the men’s collection. Now, he’s opening the brand’s first physical store, coinciding with Copenhagen Fashion Week, marking a significant milestone for the label.
Prior to this, Mfpen sold exclusively through a closed apartment store, situated near its design studio. The transition to a dedicated shop wasn’t a long-held ambition. Bank explains that the space was essentially “headhunted,” with the opportunity presenting itself unexpectedly. The location, a colonnade of shops that sits in a central yet discreet area, aligns perfectly with Mfpen’s aesthetic. Bank describes it as “off the highway…something you need to look for,” emphasizing its understated charm. The store is surrounded by other noteworthy brands: Another Aspect, Roe Studio, and Tekla Fabrics, with Toteme soon joining the neighborhood.
The space itself exudes an industrial yet warm and inviting atmosphere. It’s bright, open, and infused with a sense of genuine love. Bank emphasizes that opening a store wasn’t initially part of the plan, but the space’s unique qualities resonated with the brand’s ethos. He enthuses, “We didn’t want to open a store at this point, but the space was just so us…it’s so beautiful. It felt so right—it clicked.” The store effectively manifests several key elements of Mfpen’s identity.
Much of the decor is vintage, with a restored 1950s art cabinet, originally crafted for the Technical University Berlin’s model-making workshop, serving as a centerpiece. The cabinet was sourced by object designer Anton Defant from eBay, demonstrating the brand’s appreciation for well-made, unique pieces. The rectangular overhead lighting, once illuminating business desks and an equestrian school, offers a twist on corporate culture, adding a touch of unexpected whimsy. The clothing racks, constructed from stainless steel with trolley wheels, are inspired by carts used for transporting glass and art. Aluminum frames the mirrors, further emphasizing the metallic theme. The curtain separating the changing room from the shop floor is made from silver thermo fabric, typically used in building construction. All of the metalwork is meticulously crafted by Wendelin Kammermeier.
Bank observes, “What we do at Mfpen…is always very stripped down—not necessarily the clothing, but the atmosphere. I think the mood is a lot about the models and the lighting and all those things, but we want the clothing to talk for itself, and it’s the same in this space. We want it to be very simple, we want a nice interior, but we want it at the same time to be anonymous.” The store’s design prioritizes simplicity, with minimal extraneous elements. The space, while thoughtfully curated, isn’t striving for perfection, embracing a certain level of imperfection that adds to its authenticity. Galvanized steel shelving, reminiscent of garages and galleries, houses plastic bins that reveal their contents. Oak wood stools, handcrafted by Ulmer Hocker, a woodworker who uses leftover material to create Bauhaus pieces based on original patterns, provide a touch of warmth. The wood art crate/sculpture boasts an interesting provenance, having been used for a delivery to the 2021 German Pavilion for the Architecture Biennale.
Music plays a central role in the Mfpen brand identity, even more so than the visual arts. When asked to describe the sonic equivalent of the shop, Bank initially suggests a playlist but then goes on to elaborate: “Somehow the exhibition style space of the room and workshop-inspired interior with few materials being used reminds me of the krautrock sounds of Michael Rother (NEU!, for example) or even Grauzone…This very monotone beat and slightly progressive ambient style, simple and square but still with an art sound and lots of attitude.” Mfpen’s new store serves as a platform for amplifying the brand’s growing popularity.
Bank reflects on the evolution of the brand: “I don’t feel things have changed, more that they evolve and progress. I don’t mind people knowing us…it’s just at the same time, I don’t mind being in the shadows too. We’re not pushing an agenda, we never do social media ads and all those things, but it’s still nice to be known in some way.” Mfpen’s new store is a testament to the brand’s consistent approach, prioritizing quality and understated elegance over hype and marketing. The store is a physical manifestation of the brand’s ethos, offering a quiet yet powerful statement about the enduring appeal of simplicity and authentic design.
