003 :: Co-founder and Creative Director Cecilia Bruno Jessen

Many new faces have joined our little nation since brunobruno launched more than a year ago and therefore we’re taking the chance to re-introduce the brand and its co-founder and Creative Director, Cecilia Bruno Jessen.

Here, she shares her thoughts on design, kidswear and how to balance family life with a start up business. 

:: How did brunobruno begin?

My husband Nicolaj and I come from the fashion world, with years spent across different corners of the industry, latest Rotate and Les Deux. We’d always talked about joining forces and creating something of our own. With three daughters, we saw a clear gap: gender-neutral pieces with a cooler silhouette, looser fits, subtle tones. A mix we couldn’t find anywhere. And with our background, we knew how to build a solid product. That’s how brunobruno came to life.

:: You’re rooted between Copenhagen and Seoul — how have these two cities influenced your work?

I was born in Seoul, my husband in Denmark, and that blend sits at the core of the brand. When I look at Korean kidswear, I’m drawn to the muted palettes and the oversized shapes: big knits, roomy pants, relaxed tees in calm neutrals. Pair that with Scandinavian minimalism, and you get a cool, understated balance that shapes brunobruno’s identity.

:: How do you approach designing for children differently from designing for adults?

Coming from adult fashion, I’m naturally inspired by a more mature, toned-down aesthetic. We often pull references that have nothing to do with kidswear, then flip them into a playful universe that works for both children and grown-ups. Honestly, I’d wear many of the pieces myself.

Edith, Cecilia's daughter, wearing Larry Onepiece

:: What are you drawn to right now — visually or creatively?

Lately, I’ve been very inspired by the contrast between the pace of city life and the calm you find in nature. That tension - between movement and stillness - has started to shape how I think about the collection.

I keep coming back to workwear as a foundation, because of its honesty and functionality, but softening it with elements that reflect the countryside - fresh air, quiet surroundings, and a slower rhythm. It’s about translating that feeling into pieces that still belong in an urban setting, but carry a sense of ease and balance.

In a way, the collection I’m currently working on grows out of that contrast - bringing a bit of calm into the everyday, without losing the energy of city life.

:: What does good design mean to you today?

To me, good design is about honesty and longevity. It’s creating pieces that feel considered and purposeful - where function, comfort, and quality come first.
I’m less interested in trends and more in building a wardrobe that feels relevant over time - simple, well-made pieces that children can truly live in.
In that sense, good design is something quiet but strong. It doesn’t try too hard, but it stays.

:: As a mother of three, does your personal life influence your design process?

Absolutely. Having three children keeps the process very real for me. I see first-hand how clothes are actually worn; what lasts, what feels right, and what children naturally reach for.

At the same time, it feels very natural to stay true to the aesthetic I’ve always had, and to explore how that can live within those everyday needs. It’s about combining that personal design language with what truly works for children.

It makes me design with a sense of purpose. Pieces need to be practical and durable, but also have a certain ease and character. In that way, my personal life doesn’t sit beside the brand - it’s naturally part of how it takes shape.

Cecilia's daughters Oda, Edith and Betty - all wearing pieces from SS26

:: How do you navigate the balance between building a brand and family life?

It’s less about perfect balance and more about being intentional. I try to stay focused when working, so I can be fully present with my family when I’m off.

Being my own boss gives a certain flexibility, making it easier to shape work around family life - something that was part of the motivation for starting our own business in the first place. At the same time, family brings perspective and calm, which naturally influences how I build the brand. In that sense, the two grow side by side rather than compete.

Cecilia with husband and Co-Founder, Nicolaj Bruno Jessen, and daughters Oda, Edith and Betty