Our Q&A with Mads Kruse the founder of Tapis Noir.

Q.: What’s your background? A.: Before launching Tapis Noir, I worked as an art director with my own agency. Creating visual identities, campaigns, etc for a range of Danish and international fashion and interior-brands. 

Q.: Your brand’s name sounds more French than Danish, what inspired you to start it?   A.: I’ve always had a great passion for scarves and for collecting antique fabrics. So it was always very obvious for me, that I was going to start a scarf brand someday. When I first told people that I was going to start a scarf brand, then I got the question “Why?” a lot. It completely surprised me. Because it was the most obvious thing for me to do. So I hadn’t considered that it wasn’t the obvious choice for everyone else, hehe.  After working with branding for other companies for many years, I felt that it was finally time to start it. The heart of Tapis Noir is not very nordic, but much more French. The first few seasons we only did scarves, but the selection has grown since and for SS25 there is a complete clothes collection. 

Q.: When did you become interested in fashion? A.: I’ve always had a passion for fashion. Ever since I was a child. I grew up in a very creative family, where everyone (pretty much) is connected to photography, art, interior design or fashion. So it’s pretty much in my blood. 

Q.: Was it the fist time you showcased during the Copenhagen Fashion Week?  A.: No, I’ve shown there 6 seasons now. 

Q.: Can Copenhagen become the 5th major fashion week city together with NY, Milan, London and Paris?   A.: Yes and no. It won’t be able to compete with the other major cities, when it comes to creating “magic”. Danes and Danish brands are generally much too pragmatic for that. There are whole fashion categories, which are not part of the danish fashion-scene. But Copenhagen is great when it comes to showing commercial, wearable and nordic clothes. That is where Copenhagen excels. 

Q.:  If you could collaborate with another brand and/or designer, who would you choose and why?  A.: Well… When is this piece coming out? Because I am doing a collaboration with a Danish fashion/interior darling, where we are creating a home collection together. It’s not official yet :).

Q.: Can you tell us more about your admiration for the Arts & Crafts movement? A.: I have a great love of the English style in general. Mostly focused around the arts & crafts movement and the Bloomsbury group. Not just the visual arts, but also books, gardening etc. I love the english country/cottagestyle, which is completely timeless, which is something I strife for in my designs. The colors, the mood and how relaxed it is.  I don’t care about trends or seasons. I want my designs to last and be worn again and again. When I see people wearing scarves from my very first collection, then I get extremely proud and happy.

Q.: What are your future plans? A.: Basically to keep doing what I am doing now. The focus the last couple years has been to find the right setup. The right salesagents & distributors, the right design-profile, the right production. I feel like I’ve found the perfect combination. So the focus is now on keep doing what I am doing now and letting Tapis Noir grow. 

Q.: Three adjectives to describe your brand.  A.: Soft, minimalistic maximalism (minimalistic silhouettes with a maximalist feel), timeless.

For more info tapisnoir.com