We all have our favorite designers, our go-tos who never let us down. But occasionally, it does not hurt to look into new and emerging ones who speak to our personal style and transform our wardrobes into something more stylish, perhaps even eclectic. The beginning of another year is as good time as any to dip our toes into the vaguely familiar, or a completely new label. If you’re in on the idea, stay with us; we have just the right high-end brands and designers to put on your radar for a chicer and fresher 2019:
Amina Muaddi
Few brands can claim to be as worldly as Amina Muaddi. The label’s luxurious footwear are conceptualized in Paris, put together in Italy, and are injected with influences from childhood spent in Italy, Romania and Jordan. The footwear brand is a meeting of impeccable style and expert craftsmanship, with offerings that are easily accessible through our favorite online retailers. Her debut collection was an instant hit as well as positively received as it earned her the Launch of the Year from the Footwear News Achievement Awards last year.
Bande Noir
We have another newcomer, Bande Noir, brought to us by none other than Mayte Allende, who formerly was Women’s Wear Daily’s fashion editor. Even though its inaugural was only last year, it did not fail to impress with its vintage-inspired construction, feminine-flaunting pieces and anything-but-basic tees. Allende wanted to put a more sophisticated spin into casual, which she nailed in the beginning; we can only expect to see more of this in the new year.
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Boyy
Boyy is not new, as it had its start in the past decade when founders Wannasiri Kongman and Jesse Dorsey decided to collaborate. Years later, it brought the so-called “anti-It bag” to the global scene, while still remaining somewhat of an unknown. This is just the year to dive in on the brand’s collections that include well-crafted and fashion-forward accessories. Boyy recently made a home in Milan after the designers’ splitting time in Bangkok and New York.
Les Rêveries
Shop Les Rêveries at Net-a-Porter
Included in last year’s new crop of designers is Les Rêveries, founded by sister duo Ai Ly and Wayne Lee. The Net-a-Porter-backed brand is fond of feminine frocks such as prairie and slip dresses that also have edge. With Les Rêveries, the sisters wanted to create wearable clothes that would not skimp on style. That was exactly the impression many had with their initial collection.
Pyer Moss
Pyer Moss has been around since 2013, but 2018 proved to be an important year for the brand. It left memorable and socially relevant campaigns, and made news during the New York Fashion Show for proudly celebrating black culture. Founder Kerby Jean-Raymond‘s Pyer Moss was also declared the winner of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Award. Things seem to be even more promising for the in 2019, and its pieces that are deeply rooted in culture are to watch for.
Rejina Pyo
Shop Rejina Pyo at Net-a-Porter
You may have heard of Rejina Pyo before—when her namesake label debuted at the London Fashion Week in 2017, it took the spotlight from other LFW regulars for its diverse catwalk as well as structural but wearable collection. Her work have earned her nominations in the past year, which is somewhat an indication of better things to come. This may be the time to know her better, especially if you’re looking to dress as a modern woman; her structural pieces do not go in the way of everyday life.
Richard Quinn
Shop Richard Quinn at Matches Fashion
Richard Quinn is another designer with a memorable 2018. The Queen personally attended a show of his to award him with a Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, a first of its kind, and he sealed 2018 with a December win as the British Emerging Womenswear Designer, given to him during the Fashion Awards. It is much-deserved, especially for Quinn’s adeptness as well as challenging but captivating designs and prints—and consumers seem to agree.
Rotate
Influencers are today’s most sought-after tastemakers, and regardless of how you feel about them, we have personalities who really know their stuff. We’re saying this because Rotate is the brainchild of influencers Thora Valdimars and Jeanette Madsen. Check them out if you’re into vintage-inspired silhouettes, dramatic frocks, and ultra-feminine pieces.
Saks Potts
Saks Potts came together in 2014 when Copenhagen girls Cathrine Saks and Barbara Potts decided to create beautiful coats as one team. Almost half a decade later, the duo have become Scandi girls’ preferred brand for outerwear. With the looks of Copenhagen slowly becoming a must-follow style, Saks Potts is also gaining more fans from around the world. Its functional but also unique coats have been worn by celebrities such as Cardi B.
Snow Xue Gao
Some years ago, the Chinese designer Snow Xue Gao would never have thought that she’d take on fashion. And yet, here she is, with a Rihanna stamp of approval and a LVMH Prize shortlist nomination. Now based in New York, she incorporates elements of both the East and the West in her designs. Her home country’s traditional clothes, such as the qipao, is reinvented in her collections.
Image credits: Amina Muaddi, Bande Noir, Boyy, Les Rêveries, Angela Weiss / AFP / Getty Images, Rejina Pyo, PA, Rotate, Saks Potts, Snow Xue Gao
