Stephanie Gundelach and Awa Malina Stelter are on a mission to give the contemporary woman her dream capsule wardrobe. She favours a crinkle in her satin slips, and laughs off the mud stains on the bottom of her kitten heels – this is the mantra which guides the co-founders, and has helped them cultivate their label OperaSPORT.

Remember the times of childhood, when notebooks were stacked with what ifs and doodled diary entries: daydreaming with your girlfriends about becoming rich and famous when you grow up, marrying the prince from the Barbie movies, or maybe you and your bestie hoped to start a fashion brand together and become the next big thing. Well, partners-in-crime Stephanie Gundelach and Awa Malina Stelter did just that back in 2019, when they turned a conversation into reality – enter OperaSPORT, the Copenhagen-based brand designing for the modern woman and her multifaceted needs.

Both Gundelach and Stelter had already embarked on their own careers in fashion before they joined hands to start the Scandi label: Gundelach spent her time as a stylist in Paris, and Stelter was busy building an armoury of experience, working with major international labels. After envisioning a stylish wardrobe for mothers that was still appropriate to get a little dirty in whilst mucking about with her kids, the pair realised this wardrobe was redundant in the fashion landscape, where lies the must-have staples for the modern woman?

And so the OperaSPORT woman sashayed into the cobbled streets of the Danish capital. She walks with a certain air to her, a sophisticated one, with the wind in her hair and a bounce in her step, her oversized suit enshrouded by a floor-length faux fur coat, as ballet pumps or trainers peek out below her billowing trousers; flat white in hand. She’s the type of woman to start the day early with a Pilates class and still make it into the office by 10 (her post-workout sheen replaced as a glowing foundation that co-workers gush over). The OperaSPORT woman is precise, bubbly, and timeless. 

Perhaps the Danish muse may have taken a recent gallery trip, as Gundelach and Stelter were harking to the geometric patterns from the ArtDeco movement for their AW25 offering, pairing this alongside regal influences from the recent appointment of King Frederik and Queen Mary, who took to the Danish throne last year. A street-casted cohort of models glided onto the runway – thanks to the Puma Speedcat ballet flat – as the German-founded footwear label supported the collection by reprising its sporty pumps on the catwalk. 

The collection saw models clad in balloon sleeves, satin two pieces and faux fur jackets, as leather quilted miniskirts and earthy-toned cargos teamed with cotton button-up cardigans – think sophisticated office siren. As with all of the OperaSPORT collections though, sustainable fabrications are a must, as the co-founders consistently acknowledge their responsibility in garment production: recycled wool and polyester, organic cotton and even a bag constructed from leftover apple peel all helped bring Gundelach and Stelter’s vision for AW25 to life. 

Hot off of the excitement from their recent show at Copenhagen Fashion Week, we caught up with the besties-turned-business-partners, as they reflect on their AW25 collection, their commitment to sustainable materials, and their own hopes and dreams for the future of OperaSPORT. Scroll to find out more…

It’s really lovely to be able to speak with you, Stephanie and Awa, especially so soon after your AW25 runway show! How are you guys feeling post-show? Can you talk me through the backstage scenes on the day of the show, is it organised chaos or is there more order to the goings on?

Thank you! We’re still feeling the post-show adrenaline—it’s always such a surreal moment to see months of work come to life on the runway. There’s definitely an element of organised chaos backstage. While we plan every detail meticulously, there’s always an energy that comes with a live show—the models getting dressed, last-minute tweaks to styling and that electric anticipation before the first look steps onto the runway. But we have such an incredible team that everything runs smoothly, and in those final moments before the show starts, there’s a collective excitement that makes all the hard work worth it.

Tell me a little bit about the inspirations behind the collection, what was your creative process for this adaptation of OpéraSPORT, and what drew you to choose the setting of King Christian IV’s brewhouse for the runway?

The AW25 collection is deeply rooted in royal aesthetics and the bold, structured elegance of Art Deco. Since our office is located in Frederiksstaden, near Amalienborg, we’ve always been surrounded by this regal energy. With Denmark having a new king, it felt like the perfect time to explore this inspiration more deeply. We were drawn to the contrast between opulence and structure—how royalty has historically influenced fashion but also how those elements can be reinterpreted in a way that feels modern and wearable.

The choice of King Christian IV’s brewhouse was a natural one for us. We always gravitate toward venues that embody architecture, art, and sculpture, as they align with our brand DNA. King Christian IV’s brewhouse, with its dramatic statues and historic ambiance, was the perfect setting to bring this collection to life, reinforcing the fusion of heritage and contemporary design that defines OpéraSPORT.

You guys decided on street-casting some of the models, as well as featuring some industry professionals on the runway. Why was it important for you to include such a range of faces? How does street casting models change the energy of a show, if at all?

Inclusivity has always been important to us. We believe OpéraSPORT should feel relatable and accessible. By mixing professional models with street-cast individuals, we create a more dynamic and authentic representation of our brand.

Street casting brings a unique energy to the runway—it adds an element of rawness and individuality that feels real. Every person carries themselves differently, and that natural diversity of movement, expression, and personality enhances the overall storytelling of the collection. We want people to see themselves in our designs, and having a mix of backgrounds and identities on the runway helps reinforce that vision.

I’ve heard you speak about OpéraSPORT being almost like an extension of your friendship together. Tell me about how you work together as both friends and business partners? What made you both want to start a brand like OpéraSPORT?

Our friendship is at the core of OpéraSPORT. We balance each other out in so many ways, which makes working together such a rewarding experience. We both bring different strengths to the table, but we share the same values and vision, which is what makes our partnership so strong.

We started OpéraSPORT because we saw a gap in the market for responsible fashion that was both elevated and wearable and did not compromise on the aesthetics and design. We wanted to create a brand that blended our love for contemporary design with responsible production—one that felt aspirational but still attainable. The brand is truly an extension of who we are.

You both already had previous experience in the fashion industry before starting the label. Did it make the process of starting a brand easier at all? What are some of your biggest takeaways from the past six years of running OpéraSPORT?

Having experience in the fashion industry definitely helped in terms of understanding production, branding, and what it takes to create a strong identity. But starting and running a business is always a learning process, and we’ve grown so much over the past five years.

One of our biggest takeaways is the importance of staying true to our values. Being an independent brand with no outside investors means we make every decision ourselves, which allows us to maintain authenticity. Another key lesson has been adaptability—fashion is constantly evolving, and staying open to change while remaining consistent in our core ethos has been crucial to our growth.

OpéraSPORT really feels like a labor of love designed by women for women. How would you define the modern woman, and what kind of woman does OpéraSPORT design for? Why is it important for you to center your designs around the needs of women?

The modern woman is multifaceted—she’s confident, dynamic, and values both aesthetics and functionality in her wardrobe. She moves through different roles in her life, and her clothing should support that.

We design for women who appreciate timeless pieces with a contemporary edge, women who want to invest in quality over quantity and embrace responsibility without compromising on style. Centering our designs around women’s needs is essential to us because we’re designing from experience—we understand how important it is to feel both empowered and comfortable in what you wear.

You mentioned how this collection combines both opulence and functionality. I would love to hear your thoughts on how you balance these two concepts within your design DNA.

Balancing opulence and functionality is what defines OpéraSPORT. We love playing with contrasts—elevated details alongside practical, versatile silhouettes. We always ask ourselves: Can this piece be worn multiple ways? Can it transition seamlessly from day to night?

The sustainability of materials is also a core priority of OpéraSPORT. What sort of fabrication did you opt for when creating this collection?

Responsibility is at the heart of every collection we create. For AW25, we used recycled wool, recycled polyester, and organic cotton to significantly reduce our reliance on virgin materials. We also introduced a quilted bag made primarily from bio-based leather created from leftover apple peel—a material innovation that aligns with our goal of minimizing waste.

I understand that this collection has been supported by Puma as well. Talk me through what this collaboration entailed and why you felt your design ethos was complemented by the brand.

Our collaboration with PUMA for AW25 was such a natural fit. We both value innovation, craftsmanship, and pushing the boundaries of design while keeping functionality at the forefront. For this show, we unveiled the Speedcat Ballet and H-Street. It was important to us that the footwear felt aligned with our collection—chic, dynamic, and seamlessly integrated into the runway’s aesthetic.

Working with PUMA allowed us to explore a new dimension of our brand while staying true to our identity.

Could you talk me through some of your favorite standout pieces and how you went about designing/creating them?

One of our favorite standout pieces is the asymmetrical blazer with quilted rose details. It perfectly encapsulates the contrast of structured tailoring and soft, romantic elements. We also love the cargo jacket and pants set, which is both practical and effortlessly cool. Each piece was designed to be worn in multiple ways, ensuring versatility and longevity in every wardrobe.

And finally, what’s next in store for OpéraSPORT?

We’re so excited about the future! Our biggest milestone recently was opening our first store in Copenhagen, which has allowed us to deepen our connection with our community. Looking ahead, we’re focused on expanding our presence in key markets like Scandinavia and Asia, exploring more innovative responsible materials, and continuing to refine our Essentials collection. There are also some exciting collaborations in the works!

Words — Freya Goodchild-Bridge