Interview with Sigurd, founder and creative director of MFPEN, a Copenhagen-based clothing brand founded in 2015.

What’s your background and How did you have The idea to create MFPEN?

After my studies in production and sourcing, then I worked as a designer and sourcer for a few Danish brands. Working for these brands, made me discover the possibilities within utilizing deadstock fabrics. At the same time, I was missing voluminous silhouettes within classical menswear.

What’s MFPEN meaning? Where does it come from?

The name mfpen comes from a Danish power of attorney for writing a signature on someone’s behalf, called MFP (med ført pen). It translates directly to “with led pen / leading the pen”. I liked the idea of doing something on the behalf of another one, in our case making garments for our customers – in your case making fabrics. Do what you’re good at.

Is your customer nowadays understanding more and more using recycled/deadstock fabrics? 

I think so. Our main issue by working with deadstock fabrics, is that we tend to sell out quite fast on the garments made in the very limited fabrics. But it seems our customers learned that, and if they really want a product they know they have to get it fast. I think also they appreciate our way of working in a responsible manner.

How are your oversize shapes going?

I think they go well. But to be honest, I never thought my designs to be that oversized. If you look through time, wide trousers and large coats have been a mainstay in classical menswear in the last century. It’s only been the last 2 decades, and with the terrible addition of elastane in fashion, that slim fit has been dominating.

We heard that MFPEN is doing very well in Scandinavia. We’re happy for you, how’s your point of view about the business?

Not sure if we’re doing especially well in Scandinavia compared to our other markets. We work with a few stores here, but the best ones in my opinion. And with that said – I think we have a small, but strong base here. We work with stockists in many places around the world, not just Scandinavia, and luckily with that a great international following.