Alfred Bramsen
We had the pleasure of getting to know Alfred in London this spring. Since then, he relocated to Japan, where we reunited with him during our pop-up event in Tokyo. Alfred Bramsen, an illustrator and designer born in Copenhagen, now resides between two of the most exciting and eclectic cities globally: London and Tokyo. The creative essence of these three cities shines through in Alfred's distinct and playful approach to fashion and work. Explore further about Alfred’s artistic endeavors and daily life in our interview below.
Journey into Alfred's Instagram for top-notch food, urban adventures, and fashion inspiration.
What do you do?
I am an illustrator and creative based in Tokyo and London, primarily working within interiors and fashion.
Did you choose your profession or did it choose you?
Maybe a bit of both! I’ve always been drawn to creative roles of work, and drawing has been a part of my life since I can remember. But I also tried out so many different things to figure out what I actually enjoy doing or making.
What’s one thing you love about your job?
Freedom! Both in terms of my time but also in terms of ideas, my favourite thing in the world is when I find something that inspires me and I am able to completely submerge myself in that idea for as long as I wish.
How did you get into illustration/design?
I think when I was a kid. I played around so much with drawing and dressing up then and it just never stopped!
What/where/who inspires you?
It varies greatly, I like to focus on one thing whether it’s a colour, a book, a type of food or a place. Recently I was listening to this 1 hour loop of music from a cartoon for 2 weeks on end because it really inspired a painting I was working on. So I just had to listen to that over and over!
Who do you go to for advice?
My mom <3
What’s an essential part of your daily routine?
Sunscreen and daylight!
What was your favourite song this summer?
Maybe Troye Sivan 'Honey' or 'I believe' by Caroline Polacheck haha
What are three of your favourite pieces in your home and why?
My Bjørn Wiinblad horse candlelabras that I have been collecting for a while are very dear to me. Me and my mother drove to sweden from Copenhagen 2 hours before a flight to pick one of them up.
I also love my isamu Noguchi lamps as they give beautiful soft lighting and a quilt that my mom gave me that my grandmother gave to her.
What does your perfect weekend look like?
Now that I live in Tokyo, a perfect weekend is exploring the city, or going somewhere for the day that I have never been before. Whilst I have been in Tokyo many times before living here it’s a new experience, so exploring is perfect. In London a perfect weekend is spent with friends and walking around with my dog Yuko. I miss her so much right now!
What is something you love about Copenhagen that you can’t easily get in London?
Open-faced sandwiches!!!
What is your favourite pieces from our AW23 collection? - This question relates to the item Alfred chooses for gifting :)
my favourite piece is definitely the Dakota bag! I’ve been wearing it every day since I got it, and here in Japan I’ve been slowly decorating it with accessories, keychains, charms and decorative memories which makes the bag both my own but also such a great conversation starter. It’s both a fantastic bag but also now a memory that I will cherish forever.
What do you do?
I am an illustrator and creative based in Tokyo and London, primarily working within interiors and fashion.
Did you choose your profession or did it choose you?
Maybe a bit of both! I’ve always been drawn to creative roles of work, and drawing has been a part of my life since I can remember. But I also tried out so many different things to figure out what I actually enjoy doing or making.
What’s one thing you love about your job?
Freedom! Both in terms of my time but also in terms of ideas, my favourite thing in the world is when I find something that inspires me and I am able to completely submerge myself in that idea for as long as I wish.
How did you get into illustration/design?
I think when I was a kid. I played around so much with drawing and dressing up then and it just never stopped!
What/where/who inspires you?
It varies greatly, I like to focus on one thing whether it’s a colour, a book, a type of food or a place. Recently I was listening to this 1 hour loop of music from a cartoon for 2 weeks on end because it really inspired a painting I was working on. So I just had to listen to that over and over!
Who do you go to for advice?
My mom <3
What’s an essential part of your daily routine?
Sunscreen and daylight!
What was your favourite song this summer?
Maybe Troye Sivan 'Honey' or 'I believe' by Caroline Polacheck haha
What are three of your favourite pieces in your home and why?
My Bjørn Wiinblad horse candlelabras that I have been collecting for a while are very dear to me. Me and my mother drove to sweden from Copenhagen 2 hours before a flight to pick one of them up.
I also love my isamu Noguchi lamps as they give beautiful soft lighting and a quilt that my mom gave me that my grandmother gave to her.
What does your perfect weekend look like?
Now that I live in Tokyo, a perfect weekend is exploring the city, or going somewhere for the day that I have never been before. Whilst I have been in Tokyo many times before living here it’s a new experience, so exploring is perfect. In London a perfect weekend is spent with friends and walking around with my dog Yuko. I miss her so much right now!
What is something you love about Copenhagen that you can’t easily get in London?
Open-faced sandwiches!!!
What is your favourite pieces from our AW23 collection? - This question relates to the item Alfred chooses for gifting :)
my favourite piece is definitely the Dakota bag! I’ve been wearing it every day since I got it, and here in Japan I’ve been slowly decorating it with accessories, keychains, charms and decorative memories which makes the bag both my own but also such a great conversation starter. It’s both a fantastic bag but also now a memory that I will cherish forever.