CIFF - Copenhagen International Fashion Fair - appoints new director

On August 5^th Sofie Dolva (34) began her new professional chapter as director of CIFF – Copenhagen International Fashion Fair. She now has the overall responsibility of evolving Scandinavia’s leading industry platform for fashion comprising biannual trade fairs as well as new and existing business relations under the auspices of the permanent CIFF Showrooms at Bella Center Copenhagen.

Taking over a unique platform in a time of upheaval

34-year-old Dolva comes with thorough sales, marketing, and leadership experience from the field of beauty. Her detailed understanding of disruption in this area will come into play in reinvigorated efforts of cementing CIFF’s position in both the national and international fashion landscape:

“No matter if we’re talking startup or corporate level, I’m particularly driven by the question of how to turn changes in societal and consumer dynamics into a catalyst in stead of an obstacle. In my previous jobs the main challenge has been a shift from physical to online trade. This time it is more about supporting CIFF and the fashion industry at large in regaining traction following a more than challenging pandemic, which has birthed radically different needs and possibilities in terms of production and demand,” states Sofie Dolva, and elaborates:

“In that regard CIFF has a truly unique opportunity to drive change through community. CIFF is so much more than the biannual fairs – it is a knowledge platform gathering players across brands, buyers, and the media with a clear purpose of propelling Danish and Scandinavian fashion down an even more sustainable, competitive, and digital path.”

New areas of business will underpin a more responsible approach

Contributing with her knowledge of the beauty industry, hopes are that Sofie Dolva can also help uncover new avenues of business for CIFF within other lifestyle segments than fashion in the classic sense. To accelerate this transformation Bellagroup, who owns and operates CIFF, has chosen to integrate popular trade formats such as fashion outlet ‘DesignerForum’ and the quarterly vintage markets at Bella Center Copenhagen in the areas of responsibility for the new CIFF director:

“We are seeing a clear trend pushing for more recycling and a more sustainable approach within the fashion and lifestyle consumer groups,” explains commercial director of Bella Center and Bella Arena, Kevin Helsinghof before concluding:

“We are – among many other examples – dealing with a generation of young people driven by a wish to express themselves through apparel while at the same time being acutely aware of the need to focus on climate change and the dangerous impacts of overconsumption. With Sofie at the helm of the new CIFF we are excited to explore what can emerge from a further investigation into the intersection of newly produced, surplus, and preloved fashion.”

About Sofie Dolva:

• 34 years old, lives in Copenhagen
  
  
• Holds a degree in Business Administration & Commercial Law from Copenhagen Business School
  
  
• Comes from a position as Sales & Marketing Director of LULAB run by the company Dansk Teknologi
  
  
• Has previously worked as business unit director within several areas of L’Oreal
  
  
• Ran beauty startup Dolva Group as an independent entrepreneur
  
  
• Sofie Dolva takes over as Director of CIFF from departing Director, Christina Neustrup, who is set to become CEO and partner of the Danish jewelry brand Kinraden

Facts:

• CIFF – Copenhagen International Fashion Fair – is Northern Europe’s leading fashion platform connecting brands, buyers, media, and other industry professionals
  
  
• CIFF was founded in 1993 and operates biannual industry and trade fairs at Bella Center Copenhagen during Copenhagen Fashion Week
  
  
• CIFF also runs permanent and curated showrooms at Bella Center Copenhagen with Danish and international fashion brands showcasing their creations year-round
  
  
• The 59^th edition of CIFF takes place at Bella Center Copenhagen from August 10^th through 12^th 2022. In February 2023 the organization is celebrating its 30^th jubilee during CIFF 60.

www.ciff.dk