DESIGNMUSEUM DANMARK JOINS COPENPAY: GIVING NEW LIFE TO CLOTHING THROUGH JAPANESE CRAFT

Can a single stitch change the way we relate to the clothes we wear? How can we make more of what we already own? And what happens when we begin to see garments not as disposable, but as something we can repair and renew?

At Designmuseum Danmark, a new series of free, hands-on workshops invites both international visitors and local audiences, children and adults alike, to explore textile craftsmanship and more sustainable habits throughout the summer and autumn season. The initiative forms part of CopenPay, a initiative by Copenhagen’s official tourism organisation, Wonderful Copenhagen.

The workshops are built on a simple premise: our relationship with objects shapes how we care for them. By investing time and attention in our textiles, we not only extend their lifespan, we deepen our connection to them. Participants will leave with practical techniques and tools that can be applied again and again in everyday life.

SUMMER: SHIBORI

The summer programme centres on shibori, the traditional Japanese dyeing technique. Set in the museum garden, the workshops invite participants to transform worn, stained or faded textiles by folding, binding and dyeing fabric in deep indigo hues—turning imperfection into a defining aesthetic.

Participants can work with materials provided by the museum or bring their own textiles in need of renewal. Sample materials have been generously donated by Textilia.

AUTUMN: SASHIKO

In the autumn, the focus shifts to sashiko, a Japanese technique rooted in repair and reinforcement, where mending becomes both visible and decorative. Using simple needle and thread, participants are introduced to the method and encouraged to work with either provided or personal materials.

In connection with the upcoming exhibition by Danish designer Henrik Vibskov, the workshops will also incorporate surplus textiles from the designer’s own practice.

HOW IT WORKS

CopenPay, developed by Wonderful Copenhagen, encourages visitors to experience the city through sustainable actions. Instead of paying with money, participants gain access to experiences by making environmentally conscious choices such as cycling, reusing materials, or engaging in learning activities that promote sustainability.

At Designmuseum Danmark, the focus is on what you already own. The workshops offer tangible skills to repair, rethink and refresh textiles giving new life to items that might otherwise have been discarded. Participation is registered through the CopenPay system via an app or digital platform.