Inside the Copenhagen home of a fashion week tastemaker

As Chief Operating Officer of Copenhagen Fashion Week, Isabella Rose Davey is at the forefront of the country’s burgeoning fashion industry. Her love of design, however, extends beyond the wardrobe. The apartment she shares with her partner, Ben, in the city’s Christianshavn neighbourhood is testament to both her deep appreciation of Nordic design and international upbringing.

Raised between Ireland and Australia by her New Zealand mother and English father, she moved to London after university where she spent four years at the British Fashion Council heading up its emerging designer programme, working with designers such as Grace Wales Bonner and Molly Goddard.

Covering the sofa is a Tekla mohair blanket, pink cushions by Kvadrat x Raf Simmons and red cushions designed by Raf Simmons for Calvin Klein. A Louis Poulsen lamp sits beneath a one-off print by Tine Beck. On the windowsill is a vase from Completedworks.

In 2019, she relocated to Denmark’s capital where she is enmeshed in a cross-section of art, fashion, design and publishing. Alongside fashion week, she is a regular contributor to various Scandinavian design titles, has edited books including Saks Potts’ retrospective tome and is the founder of literary community Conch Books.

In the bathroom, a print by Malick Sidibe hangs above a towel from New Zealand brand Baina. To the far left is a green and pink glass object by Helen Mardel.

As someone who has moved countries often and travels regularly for work, the notion of home has become ever more important for her. ‘Moving into this apartment has underlined how important the home is as sanctuary,’ she says.

A George Jensen vase holds flowers on the windowsill. Gubi lamps sit atop Eileen Gray bedside tables with an original photo print by Daido Mariyama above the bed. Bedding is by Tekla.

‘I think when you're moving around all the time and you’re not from a place, the home becomes your identity in a sense, because it’s somewhere that you can feel safe and grounded.’

On the windowsill that overlooks the courtyard is a Memoria lamp by Gianfranco Frattini and Loewe candle.

A Verner Panton wire lamp and a collection of Isabella Rose’s art and design books.

‘But I also believe there is there is an adaptive nature in all of us. You want to acclimatise and immerse yourself in what surrounds you. So, while there are hints of Australiana in the apartment and pieces from Britain and Ireland, it’s got an overarching Nordic feel, because this is where I have chosen to live.’

A desk by Ferm Living, Noguchi lamp and chair from Vipp create a WFH nook. Above to the left is a painting by Cath Conlan and to the right is a signed print by Malick Sidibe.

This layering of global influences is felt throughout the apartment. In one corner of the sun-drenched living room, a vintage chair is draped in a sheepskin from New Zealand and mohair throw from Danish brand Tekla, while a shag rug from Swedish brand Layered adds warmth and texture. On a Frama stool is a piece by Dum Keramik, which sits beside Verner Panton’s classic wire lamp. It’s one of several pieces by the iconoclastic Danish designer.

A print from Perry Ogden’s Pony Kid series hangs beside a vintage William Burroughs gig poster.

‘What I love about Nordic design is that there’s a classic design philosophy, but then there's also those rebels that go against that grain, like Panton,’ she says. ‘I also adore Bodil Kjær, one of Denmark’s foremost female architects and designers. The lamp that we have from her from the 60s still feels so modern today.’

Vintage Alvar Alto school chairs surround a Frama dining table. To the left is a 1977 Sunday Times Magazine cover and to the right is an Australian painting from her father.

Growing up with art conservator parents has imbued Isabella with a natural inclination towards art of all disciplines and the apartment acts as sort of gallery for her eclectic collection of prints and original pieces. Photography by Perry Ogden and Malick Sidibe sit alongside works by up-and-coming artists like Eva Pade, together with a quirky edit of vintage posters.

The view of the canal from the apartment in Copenhagen’s Christianshavn neighbourhood.

‘Being exposed to so much creativity via all the projects I have worked on here has given me such an understanding of and respect for design,’ she reflects.

‘I think the Danes’ principles of design are principles to live by. There is honesty of design, function before form and simplicity. You find those same principles in all aspects of life here, from the way they raise their children to their schooling system, to their work and life balance. So, every day design reminds me why I love living here.’