Copenhagen Specs and Copenhagen Specs in Berlin: talking with Morten Gammelmark Founder & CEO

 

Last year it was our very first time in Denmark. Let me tell you it is more than a fascinating country! It’s vibrant, young and full of energy with a subtle hint of magic.

So, this year, Stefano, Marianna- our official photographer- and I are flying back to Copenhagen in March to take part of one of the greatest event for independent eyewear brands.

Copenhagen Specs is such a great opportunity for newcomers and more well-known brands to meet the Northern Europe market. Moreover, the show is set in fascinating location, the Lokomotivværkstedet, which will give you a proper overview on the old and the new parts of the city.

Last, but not least, this year Copenhagen Specs is gonna shine not once but, twice! The show is gonna have a twin brother in Berlin this coming October: Copenhagen Specs in Berlin, of course!

Curious? I interviewed for you Morten Gammelmark, the Founder & CEO of the event! Have a look and see you in Copenhagen/Berlin!

 

 

Copenhagen Specs is turning 5! Yehhh! Morten, what’s the secret behind your success?

Yes, it’s amazing that 5 years already has gone. I don’t think, there’s any secret recipe behind copenhagen specs. I just work hard, have a great concept, that I stay true to all the time, have great suppliers, have great exhibitors. And of course, the love for eyewear, which drives me every day to be creative and innovative in the process of making Copenhagen Specs even more interesting.

Moving Copenhagen Specs to Berlin seems quiet a challenge (best of luck from us). How do you see the eyewear market in this vibrant city?

Thank you! I’ve been looking at locations in Berlin in the last two years, as I always thought, that the Copenhagen Specs concept would fit right in this great city. Berlin is very similar to Copenhagen. They are both vibrant cities with many trendsetting brands and people, who create fantastic eyewear and fashion in general. The eyewear market in Berlin is in an upward curve, like in the rest of Europe. Just look at how many new exciting brands, that are emerging right now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We already know you don’t like being in the spotlight but, we are curious! Tell us something about yourself, where does your passion for eyewear come from?

Well, I just want you all to focus on Copenhagen Specs and not me. My passion for eyewear started 9 years ago. I started working for an advertising agency, and the first magazine I sold advertising to, was an optical magazine in Denmark. I started to visit the big eyewear fairs around Europe, and by talking to the creative and innovative designers, I just fell in love with eyewear and all the details in hinges, materials, colors, designs, shapes etc.

 

A more professional question now! How do you think the eyewear market is changing?

As mentioned before, a lot of new brands are emerging, which is good for the market, as the shops and customers will have more to choose from. But in the other hand, I can see that the supply chains are pushing hard and are getting more market share, than I like.
As you know, I’m an independent eyewear ambassador, so I don’t like that. The independent eyewear business need to stick and work together, as this is a very tough task. If we (the independent eyewear business) can manage to do that, I’m very positive that we can succeed, but we need to do something right now. And you can all start by visiting one of the eywear shows in Copenhagen in March or Berlin in October.

 

 

You’re gonna bring your cute kitten to the fair? You are, right? C’mon! He’s gonna be a cute mascot!

I would love to bring him, but someone needs to stay back and run the office. Maybe he will come in 2019 and I will stay back at the office.

 

 

Discover more and visit Copenhagen Specs and Copenhagen Specs in Berlin! All the details on the official website here

 

Best of luck and see you soon!

Giulia