Though she may not be the first name you think of when you think “celebrated designer,” Margit Brandt is a huge, influential name in Danish fashion.
Brandt’s significant contributions to fashion are being celebrated by the Danish Museum of Art & Design in “Walk on the Wild Side,” on display from June 11 to September 19. The exhibit – named after the famed Lou Reed song, focuses on artifacts from the designer’s career, including clothing, sketches, photos, and film footage.
Brandt began her fashion career studying in Paris under legendary fashion designers Pierre Balmain and Louis Féraud. She launched her own line in 1965 under the label B-age, with her husband and business partner, Erik. Brandt infused her international influence into her line – intended for the female who found herself in the age group between teenaged and genteel – throughout the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, and was praised for her clothing’s unique cuts and details.
The couple worked as a team. While Margit designed the clothes, Erik was known as the marketing mastermind, inspired by art and pop culture. They’re often known more for their partying lifestyles than their clothing, since the couple frequented Studio 54 and counted the likes of Frank Sinatra and Liza Minelli among their inner circle. However, their fashion contributions shouldn’t be ignored, as Margit has been described as a “Danish Mary Quaint.”
Margit, who has been knighted by the Queen of Denmark, also twice designed the uniforms for the Danish Olympic Team. The designer relaunched her line in 2005, and has been going strong ever since.
