STAY HYDRATEDQuench your thirst for sports-infused essentials with Danish label H2OFagerholt.

Nestled in the Copenhagen city centre – or Indre By, as it’s locally known – is the H2OFagerholt showroom. In contrast to the yolk-yellow courtyard with climbing ivy, it's sparse, white and soothing... in short, Scandi. A metal rail showcases a tight collection of corduroy track pants, figure-skimming cycling shorts and retro florals without fanfare. Decorative touches are kept to a single scented candle sat next to H2OFagerholt socks. The latter are sure to be seen at CPHFW worn with billowing ditsy dresses and hair accessories – such is the uniform of the city’s cool girls.

The collection is the result of mother-daughter duo Julie and Bex Fagherholt’s partnership with Danish sports label H2O. The trio includes an exuberant teen (Bex, 19), an industry stalwart (Julie) and a sportswear powerhouse. Perhaps it's an unlikely trifecta of talents, but it’s this contrast that provides the brand its USP. Blending utility wear with a 'sexy-comfortable' aesthetic and plenty of practical features – H2OFagerholt avoids traditional embellishment, preferring to decorate a boxy AW19 dress with carabiners – the label attracts both designers’ age groups and everyone in between. Function is key for Julie Fagerholt, whose 20+ years of industry experience lends the partnership its know-how and practicality over Bex’s more out-there ideas.

Leaning gently on hippie influences – another unexpected molecule in the brand's DNA – athleisure designs are scattered with florals. “It’s the casual feeling and relaxed way of dressing in your own personal way, so you feel your best and true self,” says Julie of the neo-boho attitude, which she’s more drawn to than the aesthetic. We spoke to the designers countering the Coyote's chants of 'hell no, H20' about working together, and where they get their inspiration from – spoiler: it's not early aughts chick flits.

SHOP ALL H2OFAGERHOLT

How would you describe H2OFagerholt?
Bex: Futuristic, positive and sexy-comfy-fashionable.
Julie: The clothes are comfortable, and as a brand we’re unpretentious and modern.

Why was it important for you to work together?
Bex: It was my mother’s idea to work together under the Heartmade label, and I was more than happy to join and challenge myself. It ended up evolving more than we could ever imagine. I love my mother so much, and respect her hard work throughout the years. So I'm grateful to carry on her legacy, and join the journey alongside her.

How do you mix your different influences and aesthetics?
Bex: It’s taken many years to find the right balance of cooperation. We learn from each other’s mindset. We develop each other’s ideas and crack the code together. My starting point is how the clothes fit the body and sit perfectly on the skin, which is the essence of sportswear.
Julie: We are living in two different universes and getting inspired by different things, but in the end, we somehow unite on the drawing board. We can wear or design the same piece of clothing but style it completely differently.

Julie, when did you realise that Bex would follow in your footsteps? Was she a creative child?
Julie: We lived in London for a year, which is where I discovered that Bex went in other directions fashion-wise. She had other perspectives and twisted everything in her own personal way, which I was fascinated by. I actually started stealing her ideas, and when she finished school, I asked her to join my design team. She’s always had a creative mind and a precise way of expressing herself. I realise how easy it is for her to understand the design process, as she was practically born into it.

How do you compromise when making design decisions?
Bex: There is a thin balance between a mother and daughter when working together, and we both know each other’s roles in the design process. Throughout the years, these roles have been more defined in a way that works for us. It takes focus, respect and understanding.
Julie: Bex has more crazy and experimental ideas, whereas I have a more experienced take on it and make it work in practice. I have many years of background, so I know how to catch an idea and make it happen. Normally we sit together and talk through ideas, and then Bex works in Illustrator doing sketches for us to see the final overview.

“ I don’t like comparing my designs, but if I had to choose a favourite, I’d say the Ice Cream tracksuit. ”

Bex Fagerholt

What drew you both to sportswear?
Bex: I've always been active, and I like feeling healthy and sexy. I know how to take care of my body, and now I can exercise that in a more creative way.
Julie: We were heading back from New York and got the offer to work with H2O. It's an exciting new challenge to combine sportswear and fashion. When we were in New York, we discovered how many sports references there were in the fashion industry. So when the offer came from H2O, it was obvious that we had to do it.

The collection is rooted in functionality. What, in your opinion, do modern women need from their clothes?
Julie: I like to feel good and comfortable, and I like the idea that clothes can be used in different occasions, I think modern women need that versatility.

You’ve said that adventure was the starting point for your debut collection. What does adventure mean to you?
Julie: Adventure for us means that we are always on the go and in movement. Therefore, that was the starting point of the AW19 collection – that it should be easy to move and travel in, whether you’re hiking, dining or in an airplane.

Harvey Nichols will be the first UK stockist for H2OFagerholt. How does London style differ from Copenhagen style?
Julie: London is more into street style. Londoners have their own way of dressing. They have a more original way of expressing themselves, and they go in a lot of different directions, whereas Copenhageners tend to have a similar style. You have to have a special personality to really stand out. But Copenhagen does have really good taste, and we have a lot of talented designers.

H2OFagerholt has a youthful energy. What advice would you give to more mature women who want a piece of the collection?
Bex: You could, for example, put a white shirt or T-shirt under the Wunderbra top.
Julie: I’m 51, and I love wearing the tracksuit to feel free, and mixing the tracksuit with ballet flats or heels. You can mix the collection with some of your more classic items. That will give a cool look that works every time.

What do you have planned next for H2OFagerholt?
Bex: SS20 is going to be amazing. It’s my first time designing swimwear.
Julie: Where to start? We have a lot of plans and an amazing journey that has just started. The collection is growing, and we’re adding more fashion into it.

“The Tour de Shirt is a piece you can wear for training, casual/everyday wear, and going out. ”

Julie Fagerholt