Frederikke Glob-Toftsø

Name: Frederikke Glob-Toftsø
Profession: Influencer and consultant
Residence: A one-bedroom apartment in Nørrebro, Copenhagen. It’s not big enough for my sneaker collection, but big enough for my family and to play football in the living room.
Background: I grew up in central Copenhagen with my mom and younger brother. My love and interest in fashion and lifestyle started when I was little, putting together outfits from inherited clothes, and developed over the years through my work in PR and marketing, as a freelance stylist, and five years as the head of the women’s department and buyer at Rezet Sneaker Store.
Family: My husband Mark, our 2-year-old JJ, our mini poodle Winston, and a baby on the way, expected in January 2021. But I couldn’t manage without my mother-in-law, my parents, and 4 siblings, who all live in Copenhagen and are a big part of our daily life.
Current projects: I work on my own channels (fredesblog.dk @fredesblog), create book concepts for the publisher Grønningen 1, and recently did a book for Astropod (the largest astrology podcast in Denmark) and Copenhagen-based site To The Moon Honeys' book “Baby Bump” about pregnancy. But most importantly, I decided I didn’t want my son to go to kindergarten, so most days are spent with him. We go to our favorite playgrounds, the zoo, meet friends, or read books.
Instagram: @fredesblog

Frederikke, thank you for chatting with us now that you're expecting your second child. How do you keep your spirits up these days?

Knitting, haha. I’ve started knitting again, and it’s much more fun to create things in small sizes. I also spend time cheering on my sister who’s in Dancing with the Stars, so every Friday I’m glued to the couch with popcorn and candy, which has turned out to be the perfect way to celebrate the weekend now that I can’t drink wine. :(

Also, my husband. I have to give him credit for making sure we all get fed and have clean clothes.

What are your best life hacks for finding balance as an entrepreneur and mother of a small child?

Family and a good network. I’m almost never alone when taking care of JJ, and I’ve invested a lot in his relationship with his grandmother, whom I trust completely. I find there’s an expectation that you have to do everything yourself, which can be quite stressful. The solution for me, to balance life, has been to create a strong network around me with people we trust and whom JJ feels safe with. When it comes to work, I’ve scaled down a lot and only work two days a week right now. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made, and I feel both grateful and smart for having organized life in a way that actually works. This has meant sacrifices, like vacationing in Denmark, living in a smaller and cheaper apartment, etc. But in the end, we’re actually happier with less space but more freedom and flexibility.

You’ve mentioned striving to be more sustainable - what does that mean to you right now?

I constantly evaluate everything I do. From what I eat (excluding pregnancy cravings), how we spend our time, what clothes we wear, and how and where we spend our money. I’ll probably never be a zero-waste minimalist, but I want to be more aware of how we live our lives.

Your love for sneakers is well-known - what’s your secret for creating an outfit around a good pair of sneakers?

I almost always start by choosing sneakers, and after being in the sneaker industry for many years, I’ve become less conservative about styling. But the trick, in my opinion, is to match my sneakers with an outfit that enhances them – it could be the right cut, a good pair of socks, a nice hem, or the right skirt length paired with ankle-high sneakers. Otherwise, I just like to have fun and improvise!

Besides sneakers, what have been your staple pieces during pregnancy?

Anything stretchy - right now I’m living in my Once-on-never-off leggings. The Danish brand Nørgaard på Strøget makes ribbed T-shirts and dresses that have been wardrobe favorites since I was a teenager, and they fit nicely even with a baby bump :).

Considering your love for fashion, do you think the industry can become more sustainable?

Yes, absolutely. But it will take time and pressure from both the top (politicians, major market players, and global brands) and the bottom (consumers). But I see the industry challenging norms and ingrained patterns. What you and I can do is invest in long-lasting pieces, use them properly, and not let anything go to waste.

Favorite sneakers of all time?

Looking back, it has to be my collection of New Balance 990 - from V2 to V4. They are classics forever. But Nike Air Max 97 is another favorite. I almost got married in a pair of silver bullets, haha.

You live in Copenhagen, a city known for its street style. What are your favorite spots for people-watching?

People-watching should always be combined with good coffee and food. Prolog in Kødbyen, Depanneur on Rantsauzgade, Mirabelle on Guldbergsgade, and Sonny on Rådhusstræde are my top picks for both. :)

What do you hope to pass on to your children?

Lots of love and the knowledge of how to live a conscious life.

Any tips for new or expecting mothers who feel uncertain about the journey ahead?

It’s going to be big, full of love, and very emotional. Embrace all the feelings, talk about them openly, and never think you are alone. Ask for help.

Also, fill the freezer with lasagna, ask your visitors to bring cake (not for themselves, but for you to eat when they’ve gone home), and accept help on your and your child’s terms. And finally, read a book about breastfeeding, it’s a lot of work even though it looks so simple.