An interview with Wood Wood’s Brian SS Jensen on their AW26 collection
For over two decades, Wood Wood’s Magnus Carstensen, Karl-Oskar Olsen, and Brian SS Jensen have built and positioned the Copenhagen-based brand as a defining force within the European street couture scene. With a clear nod to the outdoors—while remaining true to the brand’s contemporary streetwear sophistication—Wood Wood’s AW26 collection, titled ‘Field Studies’, presents a polished selection of outerwear, hefty knits, layered pieces, and select accessories, seamlessly merging functionality with fashion. Drawing inspiration from rural Norway and the Scottish Highlands, the collection’s color palette is dominated by shades of brown and forest green, punctuated by pops of pink and orange. In conversation with Odalisque, Brian SS Jensen, co-founder and creative director of Wood Wood, discusses the starting point of the AW26 collection, its hidden references, and the brand’s continued comeback.
Image Courtesy Wood Wood
Please tell us about how the AW26 collection came to life. What inspired it, what did the creative process look like, and how does the installation reflect those ideas?
The collection was inspired by a lot of different things; I think the first spark came from a conversation about the ‘Hessdalen lights’ – this strange light phenomena that happens in rural Norway, which attracts curious visitors from all over the world. We thought a lot about the friction that can occur between outsiders and locals in these small, remote communities. The Scottish highlands became another touchpoint. We wove these different references into a loose narrative that helped guide us through the process, giving the collection a sense of place and story without being too literal about it.
Which key elements played a role in shaping the AW26 collection?
The fundamentals: shape, texture, colours, prints.
Are there any specific pieces, details, or ideas you’d like to highlight from this collection?
I really like some of the heavier wool and leather outerwear pieces. There’s a weight and substance that feels right for the themes we were exploring.
What challenges did you face in creating the collection, and what are you most proud of?
I’m generally quite happy about this one. It always feels like a battle to finish a new collection, but when I look at all the pieces together now, I believe we landed in a good place.
What do you hope audiences feel or walk away with after experiencing the AW26 showcase?
I hope they will get a sense of the underlying stories that informed the collection. I don’t expect people to recognise or decode the specific references, nor do I really want them to, but hopefully it makes the individual pieces feel connected to a larger context.
How does this collection build on and strengthen the ongoing narrative of WOOD WOOD?
Each season represents a new layer added to the brand. This collection is a reflection of our interests right now, but it’s also another chapter of a much bigger story.
Looking ahead, what’s next for WOOD WOOD?
The company has recently gone through a rather significant transformation which took a lot of time and hard work, but we are now in a strong position to build and move forward. I can’t say too much yet, but we are planning some exciting projects, and we have our 25th anniversary coming up next year!
