Scandinavian Academy of Fashion Design
Scandinavian Academy of Fashion Design (SAFD) is a fashion design school in Copenhagen, Denmark. It offers a full-time three-year program plus short and summer courses.
The school was founded in 1931 by Margrethe Glad and was originally called Margrethe-Skolen. It was named after Princess Margrethe of Bourbon-Parma. Margrethe Glad built a strong network and organized study trips to Paris. The teaching focused on cutting and sewing elegant, international fashion, inspired by French haute couture.
Over the years, SAFD moved several times. In 1937 it settled near Frederiksholms Canal. After Glad retired, Inga Madsen led the school, and later Christina Beckman became director. The school moved to Østergade in 1953, and in 2012 returned to larger facilities in Badstuestræde. In 2017 the school officially changed its name to Scandinavian Academy of Fashion Design.
The main building is at Badstuestræde 1 in central Copenhagen, near Strøget, the long pedestrian shopping street. SAFD has trained many leading designers, stylists and business people in Denmark and internationally. The school is praised for inspiring students to be creative and original.
Princess Benedikte is the school’s protector and started the Benedikte Prize; she is also a former student. SAFD emphasizes developing a student’s personality and ability to handle real design projects for industry, brands, or their own productions. Students learn pattern cutting, sewing, draping, drawing, and technical skills, with a focus on craft, innovation, color, materials, and sustainability.
SAFD is a member of the Danish Fashion Institute and Danish Fashion & Textile (DM&T), which supports the Danish fashion industry. Notable alumni include Margit Brandt, Henriette Zobel, Susanne Rutzou, Bendikte Utzon, Princess Benedikte, Rene Gurskov, Rikke Ruhwald, and Bitte Kai Rand.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 03:27 (CET).