Program
May 7, 2026, 9-23:00
Lokomotivværkstedet
Doors close at 19:00
The full talk program will be announced leading up to the event.
11.00-11.45
Mette Hay & Soeren Le Schmidt
From unique pieces to everyday objects
Talk [in Danish]
How do you translate a strong design vision from one context to another – and from the exclusive to the accessible? In this talk, fashion designer Soeren Le Schmidt, known for his sculptural silhouettes and bold formal experimentation, meets Mette Hay, creative director at HAY, who has shaped some of the most vibrant objects in contemporary design and helped define HAY’s vision of democratic design.
Together, they explore the journey from exclusive to inclusive. How do you maintain a distinct creative identity when design becomes part of everyday life? How do you translate a strong signature into products that can be shared, used, and experienced by many?
These are some of the questions Soeren Le Schmidt works with as a designer, while Mette Hay’s approach as creative director integrates everyday life from start to finish, drawing on references across fashion, architecture, and art.
A conversation about identity, form, and the ambition to make strong design part of everyday life without compromising the vision.
About Mette Hay
Mette Hay (b. 1978, Denmark) is the co-founder of HAY and Creative Director of HAY Accessories. She co-founded the company with her husband, Rolf Hay, in 2002 – aged just 23 – guided by the belief that good design belongs in everyday life. Raised in a design-oriented environment – her parents ran an independent contemporary design store – she developed an early sensitivity to the objects that surround us.
Today, she leads the development of HAY’s accessories collection, working with her in-house team and an international network of designers and creative voices from the art world to bring a distinctive sensibility for colour, form, and function to everyday objects. Guided by a fascination with the poetry of the everyday, her creative direction spans everything from home textiles and tableware to toothbrushes and desk tools, alongside concept-driven projects and collaborations with brands including ASICS, Carlsberg, Sonos, COS, and IKEA.
About Soeren Le Schmidt
Soeren Le Schmidt is a renowned Danish designer and tailor, known for his minimalist, architectural and highly detailed collections, often seen on red carpets around the world.
He trained as a tailor and has worked in the fashion industry for many years, both with his own brand and as creative director at established fashion houses. Le Schmidt’s designs combine classic craftsmanship with modern, graphic lines and subcultural influences – always with a focus on quality and timeless aesthetics.
In addition to his own label, he has been involved in various design collaborations with other brands and projects, establishing himself as a strong creative force in the Danish fashion scene.
13.00-13.30
Camilla Kring
Rethinking time: Designing better work rhythms for the future of work
Talk [in english]
In the industrial era, work was designed for machines. In the knowledge era, work must be designed for human biology.
Research in chronobiology shows that people do not perform equally well at the same time of day. Yet most workplaces still operate on fixed schedules that ignore natural differences in energy, focus, and sleep patterns.
In this talk, Dr. Camilla Kring introduces the concept of chrono diversity and explains why better work rhythms are becoming a key factor in performance, wellbeing, and inclusion.
Drawing on research in applied chronobiology and two decades of international work with organizations, she shows how leaders can redesign time structures, reduce early-riser bias, and create chrono-inclusive workplaces that unlock human energy, focus, and performance.
The future of work will not only be digital and flexible – it will be biological.
About Camilla Kring
Dr. Camilla Kring is a leading expert in applied chronobiology and a global pioneer in chrono diversity, chrono-inclusion, and chronoleadership. She was named to the Thinkers50 Radar Class of 2026 for her work connecting circadian science with leadership and the future of work.
For more than two decades she has advised organizations across 17 countries on how biological rhythms influence performance, wellbeing, and collaboration. She is a TEDx speaker and author of six books, most recently Chronoleadership, shortlisted for Leadership Book of the Year 2025 (UK).
14.30-15.15
GramFratesi
The Making of a Design Studio: GamFratesi’s Journey and Signature Chairs
Talk [in english]
GamFratesi is known for a distinctive design DNA where Danish design tradition meets Italian form culture. Based in Copenhagen, Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi work at the intersection of craftsmanship, material awareness, and industrial production—always with deep respect for history and a clear perspective on contemporary interiors.
In this facilitated talk, led by Ane Cortzen, Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi reflect on the journey from a small design practice to one of today’s internationally recognized design studios. Through conversation, they share insights into their design philosophy and the experience of working between two design cultures—where Nordic precision meets Italian sensibility.
Anchored around the stories behind the Beetle, Bat, and the new Brim chair, the talk will explore a series of themes:
- Building a design studio — the journey from a small practice to an internationally recognized studio
- Design between two cultures — how Nordic and Italian design traditions meet in GamFratesi’s work
- From idea to icon — the development and evolution of Beetle, Bat, and Brim
- Partnerships and long-term design — how collaborations with manufacturers shape both design and business
- Creating contemporary classics — balancing tradition, innovation, and international relevance
A conversation about design process, cultural dialogue, and how ideas evolve into widely adopted design pieces.
About GramFratesi
GamFratesi was established in Copenhagen in 2006 by Danish architect Stine Gam (born 1975) and her partner, Italian architect Enrico Fratesi (born 1978). Gam studied at the school of architecture in Aarhus, Denmark, before training and working as an architect in both Italy and Tokyo. Fratesi read architecture at universities in Florence and Ferrara and worked as an architect in Stockholm and Denmark while still studying. As a pair, they operate in symbiosis, sharing everything across their personal and professional lives. Gam takes a particular and thoughtful approach to design, while Fratesi moves more conceptually and energetically. This instinctive and spontaneous fusion of two ways of working is one of their key strengths.
GamFratesi has been one of GUBI’s closest collaborators for more than a decade, and has created a wide range of bold and timeless furniture designs. These include the elegant Epic Collection and their insect-inspired Beetle Collection, which features the Beetle Chair – now one of GUBI’s most beloved iconic designs.
Host
Ane Cortzen
Architect, tv host & moderator
About Ane Cortzen
Ane Cortzen, a Danish architect, TV host, and moderator, has held various titles throughout her career. She previously served as the Cultural Director at the design company Kähler, the Design Director at DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation) and was a host and program developer at DR Kultur. Ane Cortzen has been associated with shows such as TV!TV!TV!, Vogternes Råd, and Søndag Live.
Since 2019, Ane Cortzen has been an independent professional, working on several programs including “Er der en arkitekt til stede” (Is There an Architect Present?), Danmarks Næste Portrætmaler (Denmark’s Next Portrait Painter), and Byernes Mester (Master of Cities). Additionally, she is the director and co-founder of Arka, an international video-based platform dedicated to discussing and showcasing architecture in an engaging manner.
Craft & repair
Craft & Repair is an open workshop at the heart of Trends & Traditions. It’s a place where things that are far too good to throw away are given new life – repaired, adjusted, and put back to use. Chair seats are rewoven, rugs are made by hand, furniture is cleaned, and textiles are patched and transformed into new products.
At Craft & Repair, you’ll meet skilled craftspeople working with wood and textiles – people who know what they’re doing. People with hands in the work, real passion, and an eye for what’s worth carrying forward.
Get close to the process.
Find inspiration.
Ask questions and see how circularity works in practice.
Carl Hansen & Søn
Carpet Care
Fredericia Furniture
Fritz Hansen
Holmris B8
Howe
I tråd med verden
Kasthall
Vitra
Weupcycl
FLOKK
Food & beverages
All day long, you can treat yourself to something tasty from the food tents in the (hopefully) sunny garden.
Whether you prefer cappuccino, flat white, latte macchiato, or a double-shot espresso, a team of talented baristas will be ready to serve you from their coffee trucks throughout Lokomotivværkstedet.
Socioeconomic stands
Social Foodies
Social Foodies is a values-driven company with the goal of fighting inequality in the global food chains. They will be serving high-quality delicious treats made using ingredients sourced with a commitment to social sustainability.
People Like Us
People Like Us is a Danish brewing company with a social agenda. The company was founded by two brothers, Lars and Jesper Carlsen, in 2016, and is run by people from socially marginalized groups. Stating that boxes are for beer, not for people, People Like Us believe that society cannot afford to exclude those who do not fit into the standardized job market boxes.
People Like us prove that you can run a for-profit company while making social impact – and, of course, while making wonderful beer.
Kofoeds Skole
Kofoeds School provides help for self-help to socially vulnerable and unemployed people. This has been the school’s ambition since 1928, and today it operates branches in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg, and Nuuk in Greenland.
At Trends & Traditions, the students of Kofoeds School will be offering samples of homemade apple juice and honey.
Kaffe Karma
Kaffe Karma is a community of volunteer coffee enthusiasts and socially vulnerable individuals who have come together to serve a good cup of coffee.
The organization helps people take the first steps to build confidence in their abilities, creating a pathway to regular jobs and education.
The world's most travelled hotdog stand
Hus Forbi
At Trends & Traditions, all proceeds from recycled bottles and cans (pant) are donated to Hus Forbi – a Danish street paper and social initiative that supports people experiencing homelessness.
Hus Forbi works to give vulnerable individuals a voice, an income, and a sense of community through employment, advocacy, and outreach.
Bus
Trends & Traditions offer free bus trips to and from the event from Fyn and Jutland.
You can reserve your bus seat as you place your ticket order.
Towards Lokomotivværkstedet
- 6:30 Departure from Aarhus
Thomas Jensens Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus C, at the bus stops - 7:15 Departure from Horsens
Dyrskuepladsen, Hattingvej 6, 8700 Horsens - 7:45 Departure from Middelfart
At Jyllandsvej 101, 5500 Middelfart, at the parking spaces for large vehicles - 8:30 Departure from Odense
Parkering Syd (Hestehaven), 5260 Odense - 10:30 Arrival at Lokomotivværkstedet
Return departures to Fyn and Jylland at 18:30
- 18:30. Departure from Lokomotivværkstedet towards Aarhus
- 20:30 Arrival in Odense
Parkering Syd (Hestehaven), 5260 Odense - 21:15 Arrival in Middelfart
At Jyllandsvej 101, 5500 Middelfart, at the parking spaces for large vehicles - 21:45 Arrival in Horsens
Dyrskuepladsen, Hattingvej 6, 8700 Horsens - 22:30 Arrival in Aarhus
Thomas Jensens Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus C, at the bus stops