A Little Mention for Kakao by K

We got a little mention on the Guardian Edinburgh blog yesterday here is the story

Why Scandinavians are setting up shop in Edinburgh

New Town based Danish shopkeeper Karina Baldorf looks at modern design in the city and discusses how Edinburgh's Scandinavian business owners support each other

The first time I came to Edinburgh was with a school trip. I was 18 – it was only the second time I had left Denmark. I remember noticing the difference in the architecture – it seemed like such a dark city, shrouded in fog and it felt Medieval compared to the light, bright buildings on Stroeget at home. I particularly love the hills here – Denmark is completely flat which is better for cycling but not so scenic.

I was already interested in clothes and vividly recall noticing the difference in the street fashion between Denmark and Scotland – and also the similarities in the modern, chic Bohemian style. If you like The White Company or even, Ghost, you're bound to like most of Denmark's top designers.

The two countries share many common bonds and lots of my friends who came on the trip said how at home they felt in the Scottish capital. Given the longstanding trading links between the countries, ever since the Vikings set sail for the east coast of Scotland, it's hardly surprising. Although the UK's greatest Scandinavian import is Sandi Toksvig, the advent of Ikea, Bang & Olufsen, and Nokia in the Scottish market shows how much the two cultures have in common.

I had no idea that I would end up living here but then, I transferred from Copenhagen University to the social policy course at Stirling University – I simply felt drawn to the place. Immediately, I loved living in Scotland but I wanted to do something creative.

Hosting local talent in my shop
As Scandinavian style became more acceptable in the UK I realised how easy it would be to translate the clean, Danish design lines favoured by clothes designers in Copenhagen for a Scottish audience. I am the first person to specialise in Scandinavian designers in Scotland and sometimes, in the UK. Of course, that affinity in design works the other way round – my countrymen love Christopher Kane and high end cashmere. But cutting-edge designers like By Malene Birger and Bruuns Bazaar have proved popular and easy to assimilate into the Scottish look.

I'm really committed to promoting young designers and make an effort to showcase jewellery designers and new faces in fashion from both sides of the North Sea. Having a shop now I can host private viewings for up and coming names who haven't yet launched their career.

This time of year is particularly exciting because of the output from the Edinburgh College of Art – both in the textile, fashion and jewellery departments. I think it's one of the best colleges in the world and it's really exciting to be so close and to be able to offer a real hand up to new names in the industry.

Community
Although I miss Copenhagen I embrace my life here – trying to merge the two cultures in everything I do. I have a few Scandinavian friends who have businesses in Edinburgh and we form a close group that offers support when we're trying to bridge cultural differences.

We all have British partners so sometimes those cultural differences are personal as well as professional. One thing that strikes us all is how friendly and outgoing Scots are compared to Danish people. I suppose that's one of the main reasons that we all like it here so much.

Edinburgh College of Art's Fashion Show takes place between 4 and 6 May. I will be in the front row!

Originally from Copenhagen, Karina Baldorf moved to Edinburgh in 2001. She runs fashion boutique Kakao by K on Thistle Street, which stocks the best of local fashion design talent and specialist imported labels from her Danish homeland.