NN.07

No Nationality, Future Classics

Founded in Copenhagen in 2007, NN.07 has spent nearly two decades building a wardrobe around simple ideas. Despite Denmark’s reputation as a hotspot for menswear and design, the brand’s name, “No Nationality,” reflects a global approach to inspiration, drawing inspiration from Japanese craftsmanship and European menswear to regional textiles, art, and everyday life.

That philosophy has helped NN.07 establish itself through its considered approach to modern classics, with an emphasis on quality, fit, and the small details that make a garment worth returning to. The brand’s clothes have also found their way into popular culture, creating a few big moments for NN.07. A few years ago, Jeremy Allen White wore NN.07’s Gael jacket throughout the first season of The Bear, after the show’s costume designer spotted it on a department store mannequin and pulled it for the actor.

Shoes have become another particular focus, with partnerships alongside heritage names including Fracap and Sebago, and an upcoming collaboration with Clarks. But beneath the collaborations and cultural visibility is a more fundamental idea: NN.07 is interested in making clothes that can become part of someone’s life. Here, we speak with NN.07 about origins, the meaning behind “No Nationality,” the importance of tailoring, and the brand’s ongoing pursuit of the “future classic.”

In your own words, can you explain what “No Nationality” means to the brand?

Chris Hähner: We’re inspired by and work with people all over the world. Our curious minds are always seeking new experiences to shape our collections, whether that’s a print from a specific region, the shape of an artwork, or a fabric from a certain era. We care about the story, the craft, and every small detail of our clothes. Sometimes too much. Never too little. It’s a mindset defined by three common values: curiosity, dedication, and playfulness. Curious means the world is our source of inspiration. From a regional print to the shapes and colors of an artwork, a fabric from afar, or a technique from another time, we’re excited by learning new things and making new friends. Dedicated means we dream big and are committed. That dedication extends across every aspect of our work, from designing products to bringing them into the world with true craft, relentless attention, and a love of detail. Playful means we keep it light. We’re grounded, in tune with daily life, and our playful spirit is reflected in our design, our culture, and the way we express ourselves.

NN.07 has been around for nearly 20 years. What do you think has remained consistent about the brand, and what has changed?

Hähner: We’ve stayed true to our dedication to craftsmanship and to seeing the world as our playground. That means we always think global-first, whether we’re talking about business or design. What’s changed is our more playful approach to brand expression and our tone of voice. It’s a shift that simply felt natural to the evolution of the brand. We’re dead serious about maintaining high standards for our products, but when it comes to our creative output, we like to let ourselves loose a little more. The key to longevity is evolving without changing. Much like our design approach of reimagining classics, our brand has evolved into something new without switching up on our fans. Think of it like a lifelong friend. You see them go through ups and downs, which inevitably impacts their personality, but hopefully they evolve for the better rather than feeling like they’ve completely changed. Our ethos is the same: constantly evolving without radically changing. Consistency.

NN.07 often talks about creating “future classics.” What does that mean to you, and how do you make a design feel timeless?

Hähner: Internally, we have a saying: “improving the proven winners.” We start with a classic menswear style and reinterpret it through a contemporary lens. That might mean a new fabric, a new fit, a different technique, or adding or removing an element to create something new, without distorting the original. It’s about reimagining timeless design to create future classics. Combined with the high level of craftsmanship and quality that goes into our garments, that’s what makes our styles look and feel timeless.

Are there one or more garments in the current season that you feel best represent NN.07’s design ethos?

Hähner: Pants! It’s why our customers keep coming back. Great fit, quality fabrics, the right colors, and a 365 program robust enough to stand behind season after season.
Some customers have been with us from the beginning. That’s not loyalty by accident. Our Aden pant was recently awarded “Best New Pick for Style” by The New York Times Wirecutter, while the Kay pant is our contemporary take on a slightly wider, more relaxed menswear fit.

The brand recently pivoted toward tailoring with new suiting options. Why was that decision made? Does that reflect a broader trend in menswear right now?

Hähner: Tailoring is important because it complements every man’s casual wardrobe. A tailored pant or jacket combined with a casual piece can take you from your day job straight to dinner with friends or a night out. It’s always been a part of our brand, but now our suiting is reimagined through a more contemporary lens, most notably in the silhouette and fit of our Jordin blazer and Kay or Justin pants. Coincidentally, younger menswear consumers have taken a liking to tailoring. This hasn’t really influenced our suiting options, though, as we’re driven by reimagining classics rather than following trends. Remember, when you’re this dedicated to craftsmanship, a great suiting program doesn’t come together overnight. This has been years in development, and it’s still evolving.

The brand was founded after a trip to Japan. What did the founders see or experience that inspired them to start NN.07?

Hähner: Our founders were looking for the perfect pair of pants, ticking all the boxes: perfect fit, premium quality, and attention to detail. They were amazed by Japanese culture in general and its immense love of detail, expressed across all aspects of daily life. They came back home with the idea of translating that philosophy into our first product: a perfect pair of pants.

What kinds of references – cultural references or places of inspiration – tend to find their way into the brand? Is there a particular place, era, or idea that has had a lasting influence on NN.07, or is the brand simply inspired by “the world”?

Hähner: Our curious minds are always seeking new experiences to shape our collections, whether that’s a print from a specific region, the shape of an artwork, or a fabric from a certain era. We care about the story, the craft, and whatever small detail there might be in our clothes. Sometimes too much, but never too little. This is our way of creating a wardrobe of future classics, from timeless essentials to expressive pieces. With the world as our playground, we always stay curious, dedicated, and playful. Recently, places like upstate New York and the city of London have captured our curiosity. Currently, we’re very inspired by waterfronts, whether that’s the Copenhagen canals, the French Riviera, the River Thames, or the Hudson. There’s something about the connection between city life and seaside leisure that has the design team curious to explore.

What are some of the first things you hope people notice about an item from NN.07?

Hähner: Product first, always. And, in the same breath, materials. Since 2007, we’ve hand-picked the best suppliers around the world who share our values, ensuring that every material is crafted responsibly with meticulous attention to detail. It’s at the heart of everything we do. We aim to deliver the highest quality at a fair price, with no compromise on either end. Securing today’s winners matters, but so does finding tomorrow’s new ones. Our directional pieces keep us at the forefront, while our core styles drive volume. And don’t get us wrong: core doesn’t equal basic, not in our book. It’s about perfecting the mix within your wardrobe: timeless essentials paired with expressive pieces.