This is the philosophy at the heart of Molo, a kidswear brand born in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Known for its colourful, expressive designs,
and loved by celebrities around the world,
the brand is now carried in over 750 stores globally.
At first glance, it may seem like a vibrant and high-profile label.
Yet, meeting its founder, Mogens Jepsen,
you begin to understand what Molo truly represents — simply through who he is.
Warm and approachable, yet grounded with a strong sense of purpose,
he embodies the spirit behind the brand.
The world created by Molo’s team of eight designers is far from surface-level fashion;
it is thoughtfully shaped with a deeper vision in mind.
Beyond the language of sustainability,
Molo places great importance on responsibility —
a value that defines its approach to design and production.
Today, it stands as one of the leading voices among contemporary Scandinavian brands.
I was fired from my previous job for the first time in my life.
That’s when my clever wife said to me, “You’ve always wanted to work in kidswear—so why don’t you go for it?”
少子化が話題となる時代に、なぜ子ども服ブランドを立ち上げようと思われたのですか？
At a time when declining birth rates are often discussed, what made you decide to start a childrenswear brand?
When I started Molo in 2003, the motivation was quite simple. At the time, much of children’s fashion felt very predictable and understated. I felt there was room for something more colourful, expressive, and imaginative.
We began with a small team in an apartment in Copenhagen and designed a modest collection for children aged 2–8. The idea was to create clothing from a child’s perspective — something playful, comfortable, and full of personality.
Moloのデザインは大胆で個性的ですが、「Moloらしさ」とは何だと思いますか？
Molo’s designs are bold and distinctive within childrenswear.
What do you think defines the true “Molo spirit”?
For us, the Molo spirit begins with designing on children’s terms.
Children approach the world with curiosity and imagination, and we try to reflect that in our designs. This is why our collections often include strong colours, expressive prints, and storytelling elements.
At the same time, the clothing must work in everyday life. Comfort, durability, responsibility and functionality are just as important as visual expression.
In many ways, the spirit of Molo is about respecting how children move, play, and experience the world.
コレクションのインスピレーションはどこから得ていますか？
Where do you usually find inspiration for your collections?
At Molo, each collection is developed by our design studio, and inspiration often comes through collaboration and shared ideas within the team. Our designers draw inspiration from many places — nature, art, travel, culture, and everyday observations. We often try to look at the world from a child’s perspective: animals, colours, friendships, sports, landscapes, and small discoveries that children notice in their daily lives. These elements often become part of the stories and visual expressions within our collections, helping us create clothing that feels imaginative and meaningful for children.
子ども服をデザインするうえで、大人服との違いは何ですか？
When designing for children, what feels different compared
to designing fashion for adults?
Children interact with clothing very differently from adults.
They move constantly — running, climbing, exploring — so clothing needs to support that activity.
Children are also very honest in their reactions. They quickly know what they like and what feels comfortable. That honesty keeps the design process very focused.
Moloの服を着ることで、子どもたちにどんな体験をしてほしいですか？
What kind of feelings or experiences do you hope children
have when they wear Molo?
I hope children feel comfortable and confident.
Clothing should support their everyday adventures rather than restrict them. Whether they are playing outside, exploring nature, or spending time with friends, the clothes should move with them.
If children feel free to express themselves and enjoy what they wear, then we have achieved something meaningful.
世界中で展開され、多くの著名人にも支持されていますが、成功の鍵は何だと思いますか？
Molo is now available around the world and loved by many well-known figures. What do you think has been the key to the brand’s success?
I believe consistency has been very important.
From the beginning, we have focused on designing from a child’s perspective and maintaining a clear identity. Over the years we have continued to refine our products while staying true to that philosophy.
Quality and responsibility are also important to us. We work with recognised certifications and standards in our production processes, which help create transparency and structure.
Most importantly, we are grateful for the support from families around the world who choose our products.
日本のキッズファッション市場や顧客についての印象は？また、なぜ渋谷を選んだのですか？
What impressions do you have of the Japanese kids fashion market and customers? And why did you choose Shibuya for this location?
Japan has a very strong culture of craftsmanship and attention to detail, which I find very inspiring.
MARCH 2026
There is also a deep appreciation for thoughtful design and quality materials, which resonates with our approach at Molo.
Shibuya is an energetic and creative area with a strong connection to youth culture. It felt like a natural place for a brand that celebrates individuality and imagination.
We are very happy to be present in Japan and look forward to learning from the market.
「好奇心を持ち続けて、自分らしくいてほしい」- Mogens
子ども服の未来はどのように進化していくと思いますか？
How do you think childrenswear will evolve in the future?
I believe we will see a continued focus on quality, functionality, and responsible production.
Parents are increasingly thoughtful about what they buy, and transparency around materials and production will likely become even more important.
At the same time, children will always need clothing that allows them to move freely and express themselves.
Balancing creativity, durability, and responsibility will remain an important challenge for the industry.
今の子どもたちへメッセージを伝えるとしたら？
If you could share one message with children today,
what would it be?
I would say: Stay curious and be yourself. Children naturally see the world with openness and imagination. Those qualities are incredibly valuable. The world becomes richer when people feel free to express who they are.
Mogens Jepsen is the founder and CEO of Danish childrenswear brand Molo, established in Copenhagen in 2003. Growing up in the Danish countryside, he developed a strong appreciation for nature, animals, and the changing seasons — influences that continue to shape Molo’s approach to design, functionality, and responsibility. Today, Molo is an internationally recognised brand known for colourful, imaginative childrenswear designed on children’s terms.
Molo is a Danish childrenswear brand founded in Copenhagen in 2003. Known for bold prints, strong colours, and high-quality functional design, Molo creates clothing that supports children’s creativity, movement, and self-expression.
