In the world of fashion, established boundaries are always meant to be broken. While everyday life often draws strict lines between categories – sportswear, office attire, casual clothing – modern fashion embraces freedom, versatility, layering and bold experimentation perhaps more than ever before. A perfect example of this mindset is the Spring/Summer 2026 collection by Finnish designer Rolf Ekroth's Spring-Summer 2026 collection, presented at Copenhagen Fashion Week.
What stood out in particular was the way technical Uphillsport-merino wool socks were integrated into the collection – in a way that was both unexpected and completely justified. Alongside these, the collection also featured more classic and understated sock choices, such as traditional knee- and ankle-length styles by Sukkamestarit, seamlessly blending utility with timeless simplicity.
Socks that don't hide - but speak volumes
Traditionally, technical socks have been confined to specific contexts: sports performance, hiking, or demanding work environments. They’re designed to support long-term or even maximum-level performance, under challenging conditions and intense use. These products are expected to deliver – with breathability, durability, and functional excellence. But why should these qualities be limited to performance-only situations?
In Ekroth’s collection, technical became aesthetic. The merino wool UphillSport socks became part of the visual story – not hidden as underlayers, but highlighted as intentional, stylistic components. This approach opens new perspectives on how technology and design can go hand in hand, even in accessories, creating intriguing combinations on the fashion runway.
Photo: Merino Wool UphillSport Valta -ski socks are well suited to modern dressing.
The union of fashion and functionality
Rolf Ekroth’s aesthetic is rooted in utilitarianism, gender-neutral fashion, circular economy, and the Finnish tradition of craftsmanship, which he reinterprets with a modern and unrestricted approach. The products of Sukkamestarit and UphillSport were not mere accessories, but essential structural and visual elements of the collection that supported the designer’s values and practical outlook.
For example, bold layered outfits brought socks visibly to the shins and ankles, combining them with low-profile, sport-inspired footwear and even straight-leg trousers. In this way, technical socks found a new role within the stylish wardrobe of the active and aesthetically aware individual.
Image: UphillSport Ouna -technical ski socks
Circularity, sustainability, and Finnish craftsmanship
One reason Rolf Ekroth’s collection was praised – including in Vogue - was its strong commitment to circular design and responsible production.
The main collaboration partner behind the collection is the Finnish waste management company Lounais-Suomen Jätehuolto (LSJH). LSJH participated in supporting the collection through the EU-funded tExtended project. On the catwalk, set in a Copenhagen park, several of Ekroth’s designs featured discarded denim and deadstock fabrics sourced from LSJH’s Lemppari secondhand shop. (Source: Fafi.fi)
At the heart of this collaboration is a shared set of values. Sukkamestarit and UphillSport stand alongside Rolf Ekroth in championing sustainable materials, ethical and ecological practices, domestic production, and long-lasting use.
The visible role of socks in the collection makes a statement – not only about the freedom of fashion, but about rethinking consumption itself. When a well-designed, technically advanced sock becomes part of a fashion narrative, its lifespan extends. It’s no longer just a functional necessity – but an integral piece of personal style and storytelling.
A new way of thinking about socks
Rolf Ekroth’s SS26 collection reminds us that a sock can be much more than a functional accessory. It can be a fusion of style, message, and comfort – a fashion statement where comfort is not a compromise, but an all-encompassing goal from head to toe. By incorporating technical socks into urban, creative, and individual dressing, a completely new field of possibilities opens up.
Special thanks to:
Thank you Rolf Ekroth and stylist Emma Saarnio for the wonderful opportunity to be part of this inspiring collection. The products of Sukkamestarit and UphillSport were given a unique place on the frontlines of fashion – and there they were. Visible, not hidden.
Thank you.
– The Sukkamestarit Team
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