CIFF
CIFF Director Sofie Dolva to Hand Over to Maja Schildt
Sofie Dolva steps down after four and a half years; Maja Schildt takes over as CIFF director on 1 December 2026, as the fair expands its reach year-round.
A new chapter for Copenhagen International Fashion Fair
Copenhagen International Fashion Fair (CIFF) is set for a change at the top. Sofie Dolva will step down as director after four and a half years, and Maja Schildt will take over the role on 1 December 2026. Dolva will remain involved through the February 2027 edition before moving into an advisory position from 1 March.
Dolva joined CIFF in summer 2022 and has led a period of significant international expansion. Under her direction, the fair has grown beyond its twice-yearly exhibitions, building a presence that extends throughout the year and across the fashion calendar.
Achievements during Dolva’s tenure
During her time at the helm, Dolva oversaw several initiatives that strengthened CIFF’s position within the global fashion industry. Key developments included:
- CIFF Media: a new platform that extends the fair’s influence beyond the physical event.
- A regular presence at Paris Fashion Week: raising CIFF’s profile among international buyers and press.
- New international partnerships: forging connections with organisations and brands worldwide.
In addition, the organisation deepened its relationship with Copenhagen Fashion Week, bringing the city’s fashion trade landscape under a shared framework. This collaboration has helped to present a more unified Danish fashion scene to international audiences.
Leadership transition
Maja Schildt comes to CIFF from the Danish lifestyle brand Liewood, where she served as global commercial director. Her career spans roles at Cos, Yoox Net-a-Porter and Acne Studios, giving her broad experience across fashion and lifestyle. In her new role, Schildt is expected to focus on developing the fair’s commercial offering and strengthening connections between brands, buyers and the wider industry throughout the year.
Dolva commented on her departure, noting that the organisation has made significant progress during her tenure. She highlighted the international network and team established over the past four years, describing the timing as right to hand over leadership and expressing confidence in the foundations built for her successor.
“CIFF now stands on solid foundations, which makes this the right time to hand over the reins. I am convinced that Maja, with her international experience, commercial understanding and strong people skills, is exactly the right person to take the work forward,” she said.
Schildt also shared her perspective: “Having spent my career working with international fashion and lifestyle brands, I see a real opportunity to further develop CIFF as a platform that connects brands, buyers and the wider industry, not only during fashion week, but throughout the year.”
What lies ahead for CIFF
Looking forward, Dolva and Schildt will work together on CIFF’s Paris activities in January and the 68th edition of the fair, scheduled for 2 to 4 February 2027. This collaboration is designed to ensure a smooth transition and maintain momentum behind the fair’s international strategy.
CIFF’s evolution reflects broader changes in the fashion trade show landscape, where events are increasingly expected to offer value beyond the traditional exhibition floor. By expanding its media presence, forging partnerships and maintaining a year-round dialogue with the industry, CIFF aims to remain relevant in a competitive global market.
The leadership change marks a new phase for the Danish fair, with Schildt’s commercial background and international experience positioning her to build on the work of the past four years. As the fashion industry continues to adapt to new challenges and opportunities, CIFF’s ability to connect brands, buyers and the wider industry will remain central to its mission.
