About Last Night… ROTATE
Jeanette Friis and Thora Valdimars are the designers behind our new go-to party wear label ROTATE. The duo show us how to tap into that illusive Scandi-cool on a night out in Copenhagen.
How would you sum up what you do in a sentence?
J: Tricky! I’m a hard-working, self-employed, creative director, mum, and wife.
T: I’m a stylist, influencer and one of the creative directors of ROTATE Birger Christensen.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
J: To begin with I wanted to become a stylist. From age three, my mum tells me I changed my outfit at least three times a day. If I didn’t get to do this I would run around in my underwear! I think you can draw a parallel from that time to today – if I don’t feel comfortable in something, I’m not going to wear it. Back then, I think I simply wasn’t satisfied with my wardrobe. In my teens I dreamt of becoming a designer, but didn’t have the education it demanded and so I started at a small production school where I learned how to sew, make patterns, etc. Sometime after this, I got into modelling. Years passed and time went by taking me down the road that eventually got me where I am today and to my dream!
T: I went through a couple of phases growing up. My first dream was to have a clothing store with my sister, then I wanted to be the next Mariah Carey or the first female rapper here in DK. However, I’m not the best singer or rapper (Simon Cowell would have told me I sound like a barking dog) so when I was a bit older I decided I wanted to be the fashion director of a magazine. I loved the idea of creating fashion stories and working with photographers on the creative process, but most of all putting the clothes together in new and exciting ways. Having a clothing brand is a dream that I’ve had for years but actually starting out was the tricky part. I think once I had the job as the fashion director for Costume Magazine everything seemed possible because my dream actually came true, and together Jeanette and I found a way to realize this new dream.
What did you do on your last day off?
J: I went for breakfast with my girlfriend at Sanders. Got myself a two hour facial treatment and picked up my kids early from school!
T: I haven’t had a day off in so long so I spent my last day off stressing about the fact that I had a day of - ha ha! Still need to learn to enjoy the quiet days.
What’s your biggest adventure so far?
J: There’s several. Becoming a mum and now the fact that my dream is coming true with ROTATE Birger Christensen with Thora by my side.
T: Having my son is the most amazing adventure ever. I love being a mom and he is really the most beautiful human being. I’m so lucky, I feel like my life has been one big adventure. I’ve studied in London, travelled all over, realised my dream in the workplace and actually allowed myself to dream of new and bigger things and here we are on this new exciting adventure with ROTATE Birger Christensen.
If you could do anything without fear of repercussion, what would you do?
J: Eat milk chocolate! I’m lactose intolerant and when I have too much it really affects my wellbeing and shows on my skin.
T: I would go parachute jumping or whatever it’s called. Just think about falling freely and letting go of all my fears and just being there, in the moment, enjoying the view. But I’m too scared. I blame motherhood…
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
J: There was a time where I was so busy at work and I spent all my energy on the wrong people and felt exhausted. In a meeting with a friend from the business he asked me what my priorities were – family or work. I of course answered family and he responded that I should live by that. It changed a lot in me, so simple but yet so difficult. I revised my priorities and quit my job not long after our conversation.
T: Live in the moment and remember to be grateful for the things I have in my life. It always makes me feel positive and happy.
If you could have one superpower what would it be and how would you use it?
J: Be in several places at the same time.
T: It sounds a bit like a Miss World speech but I would love to be a fairy godmother spreading happiness and love all over the world.
Describe your perfect night out…
J: Surrounded by my friends and husband. Going out for dinner and ending up at a club dancing the night away. And of course, singing karaoke – I love karaoke!
T: I would have the day off, go to the gym, have a mani and pedi, eat an amazing lunch and go home for a nap. Wake up and take a long bath, with the music turned all the way up and then go meet my besties for dinner and drinks. We would accidentally bump into other friends who knew about a party only playing R’n’B, pop and hip hop and we would dance all night long.
If you could live in any era, which would you pick and why?
J: The 70s! I love the style, the evolution and the whole vibe. If I could be Brigitte Bardot that would be nice.
T: I think the 60s or 70s. There were so many new things being introduced and people seemed excited and openminded about everything. There were no cell phones or internet so people interacted so differently compared to today. Not to mention the fashion - sexy, colourful and feminine.
If you could plan a night out with anyone (living or dead) who would you pick, where would you go, and why?
J: I would go to Soneva Fushi at the Maldives and bring all my closest friends and husband - it’s my favourite place on earth. We would go sailing in the sunset and have dinner on a private sandbank. The party would continue in the house and around the private pool. I really love the privacy and the luxury you get there. It’s incredible.
T: I would bring all my closest friends to the Seychelles and rent a huge house where we could all stay for the night. I would have an amazing chef cook food for us, there would be a DJ, and we would just have a day and night of bliss.
What’s the best party you’ve ever had?
J: My wedding! But in general weddings are the best parties. When surrounded by friends and happiness you create the most beautiful memories.
T: It was more a dinner party and it was my birthday. I was in Paris for fashion week, some of my friends were already there and some of them came for my birthday and I just remember standingoutside on this warm evening, looking at these people who were there just for me. The feeling was just beyond.
What is your go-to look for a night out?
J: If I’m not wearing a short (a bit too short) dress with open high sandals, I’m wearing high waisted skinny jeans or trousers with a top or blazer that draws attention. Most likely with a very deep v neck – topped off with big statement earrings.
T: A short dress and high heels.
House party or outout?
J: Definitely house party.
T: House party.
Pub or club?
J: Club.
T: Club! Love to dance.
Go-to drink?
J: Espressomartini.
T: Skinny bitch – it’s new for me, but it works. It makes my hangover bearable!
Favourite place for late night eats?
J: McDonalds.
T: McDonalds or Isted Grill in Copenhagen. Open all night and the food issogood.
Where are we most likely to find you on a Friday or Saturday night?
J: On my couch.
T: At home with my son to be honest, or home with friends.
Go-to karaoke song?
J:Heart of Glass by Blondie
T: I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston.
What’s the most surprising thing we’d find out if we looked at your phone?
J: 10.000 unread messages in my inbox.
T: The horoscope readings of an Icelandic woman called Sigga Kling, I read them religiously.
What would we find in your bag on a night out?
J: My phone, keys, Glossier coco lip balm, and my Louis Vuitton cardholder.
T: My Palmers cocoa butter lip balm, visa card, keys, gum and my phone.
Heels or flats?
J: Heels,always!
T: Heels!
Describe yourself inthreewords…
J: Happy,insecure,indecisive.
T: Caring, creative and curious. Wow three C’s.
Yourfourultimate dinner party guests…
J:The90s supermodels. Seemed like they were having the time of their lives.
T: Cardi B, James Corden, Will Smith and Kevin Hart.
Ultimatepartystyle icon?
J: Kate Moss back in the day.
T: There are so many icons! I love Cher, Evangelie Smyrniotaki, 90s Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, Gigi Hadid, I mean I could go on and on…
Best thing about Copenhagen?
J: You can walk everywhere.
T: Summers sitting outside, drinking wine and talking all night.
Worst thing about Copenhagen?
J: Are there any?
T: It’s cold for so many months.
Copenhagen’s hidden gem?
J: Nothingstayshidden in Copenhagen.
T:Maybe not so hidden anymore, but La Banchina is the best. You can swim in the lake just outside the café and during summer you just sit and soak up the sun. During winter there’s a sauna and the food and coffee is always fresh and tasty.
An event you wish you’d witnessed?
J: Not really, I’m a big fan of living in the now.
T: Kimyes wedding.
Who would you like to be stuck in an elevator with?
J: My husband.
T: Oprah Winfrey.
What’s your idea of happiness?
J: Family.
T:Being around my son is my idea of happiness whether it’s at home or out. He is just so funny and he says and does the most hilarious things. I always tell him that I wish I could shrink him and put him in my pocket so that he could go everywhere with me.
One last favour you’d like to ask?
J: Hand me my superpower, please ;)
T: Can we just freeze time please?