Astrid Juncher-Benzon: Queen of our hearts, intern extraordinaire

This month in Après Diaries, we're formally introducing you to Astrid, a fixture of our brand story.

An air sign to the truest extent, she left her home in Copenhagen for four months to make magic with us, and for that we are forever grateful.

Sit down with us to learn more about our Danish lover girl.

To properly introduce you, do you have any nicknames? 

  

This was the best question, because my friends sent back novels of cute things about me, which made me feel very loved.

And my best friend even wrote me a poem.

     

     

    

 

       

        

Aquarius Sun, Libra moon and Leo Ascendant

            

          

          

 

     

       

    

I live in Copenhagen, Denmark, with my partner Gustav and our two cats, Emil and Berta.

          

     

I have lived all of my life in Denmark, except for three months in Hamburg and four months in Sydney.

        

            

            

            

 

         

My favorite thing about Copenhagen is how the city comes to life whenever the sun is out. We have long, cold, and dark winters here, so even the tiniest bit of sunshine brings people outside to make the most of it.

My friend Anna put it so sweetly, she said you can feel and see the city becoming happier when the sun is out.           

             

       

      

           

               

In Sydney my go to is Cafe Charlotte for breakfast, 

Banh Mi Bay Cafe for lunch,

and for dinner my absolute favourite restaurant in Sydney is Pellegrino 2000.

In Copenhagen my go to is Ø12 for breakfast, 

Beau Marché or The Turning Chicken for lunch,

and for dinner Locale 21 or Frank. 

Special occasions are at restaurant nr. 30.

      

        

            

       

 

               

I always start my morning with an iced latte and cuddles with whichever cat is willing. Then I get ready and walk to school, work or wherever I have plans. I love walking, it helps me distance myself from where I was and ready myself to where I am going. Plus, I get to people-watch and listen to music.

I am also training for my sixth marathon, so another part of my daily routine is squeezing in a run here and there.

           

            

                 

 

                   

I still work for Après Studio and help with their Pinterest, which is such a dream come true.

I also work as a substitute receptionist at a law firm.

     

     

          

                 

                 

It’s been a long road and I am still not fully convinced that I’m in XD

My grandma on my dad's side has always sewn and knitted, which she then taught me. When she died, I was so lucky to inherit all of her crafting and sewing supplies.

I feel like my first step into the fashion industry was starting my degree.

After a couple of gap years and odd jobs, my friend Fanny and I had the opportunity to look after an artist's gallery and cat, which became our workshop. I would go there almost every day and sew or just hang out with the cat, Ted. We would have guests over, and one day Fanny’s mom came for a visit. We got to talking about the different degrees related to fashion. She has a Bachelor of Textile Design, Handicraft, and Communication, and totally convinced me to apply.

               

               

 

      

   

                       

                     

   

I’ve always been surrounded by beautiful fashion thanks to my grandmas and my mom. They all had their own unique style, almost like a personal uniform.

Growing up, their love and interest for fashion rubbed off on me.

It made me appreciate how clothes can be more than just something you wear, they can tell a story, reflect who you are, and even become part of your identity.

              

     

     

                           

   

           

                      

          

I inherited the Egg Chair from my grandparents. I grew up with that chair, and in the last part of my grandparents' lives, it became their cat's scratching post, so it's really banged up. I love and care for it, and I think it’s such a beautiful chair, but it’s also a relief that it came with flaws, it fits into every chapter of my life.

           

          

           

I love my mom’s bolognese, or a good bun with cheese <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

          

              

            

  

         

               

             

    

An iced latte on oat milk with vanilla syrup, please and thank you <3

         

                

              

     

            

             

                

Usually, I go for a run or walk until my feet can’t carry me anymore. I also reach out to friends and family, so whenever I feel discouraged or start doubting myself, I always turn to them.

Otherwise, I love watching movies because I get so sucked into different universes and stories that I forget all about my own problems.

                    

             

           

          

        

        

        

              

I have a hard time getting up in the morning, so either stress is a factor, or I lay out an outfit the night before. <3

                     

             

                 

        

                                 

                    

         

         

I’ve honestly been living in anything Après Studio since coming home to Denmark, I’m holding onto any little piece of my life in Australia. </3

My styling of the pieces is so different now, with the weather being so cold here. I long for warmth, sun, and the chance to wear my Marta Dress again.

If I had to choose a favourite item that isn’t Après Studio, it would have to be my Burberry trench coat, which my mom found at a flea market for next to nothing, or my white vintage Guy Laroche Paris shirt/blouse. It was originally thrifted in Paris by my old, old, old downstairs neighbour, who later gave it to my mom, who eventually passed it down to me. <3

          

         

          

    

         

        

I haven’t discovered any vintage shops in CPH, most of them are pretty well-known. But here’s a list of the ones where I usually have pretty good luck: Time’s Up Vintage, O.S.V Vintage, Décor, Kongens Klær, CHAMOI, and Rosy Vintage.

                      

                   

                   

                  

         

           

My family, my friends, my cats, my parent’s dogs, iced latte and Gustav.

        

         

        

 

  

        

             

                   

Probably

My parent’s house, 

My dad’s cousin’s vacation house in Saltum, 

and more recently, Sydney, especially Balmain and Dawn Fraser Baths.