It’s been quite an eventful year for fashion, from viral moments on the runway, to unexpected changes at major fashion houses, including Raf Simons’s closure of his eponymous label, Alessandro Michele’s departure from Gucci and Ludovic de Saint Sernin’s appointment as creative director at Ann Demeulemeester. But, what does fashion do best? Move forward. And with a new year just around the bend, there’s a fresh crop of remarkable talent deserving of your attention.
Whether it’s Terrence Zhou’s out-of-this-world creations, or Ashlynn Park’s voluminous pieces crafted with a sustainable ethos, there are brilliant names who are shifting the narrative of the fashion landscape as we know it. And that’s what this industry should be all about.
Below, the independent brands that are on the fast track to becoming fashion’s names to know.
1 / 19
Veldon Salim
Indonesian native Veldon Salim has a flair for handling knits in the most sensual way. The designer’s body-conscious creations are as romantic as they are ethereal and err on the fantastical side of fashion.
2 / 19
Ashlyn
As a result of her experiences working as a pattern maker for Yohji Yamamoto in Japan and with Raf Simons at Calvin Klein in New York, South Korean designer Ashlynn Park has an exceptional eye for detail. Her works combine volume and precision with a sustainable ethos.
3 / 19
The Uncommonist
With a charmingly unconventional approach to design, the designer—who prefers to remain anonymous—creates deconstructed yet architectural garments by way of conscious craftsmanship.
4 / 19
Xylk Lorena
Xylk Lorena, Filipino designer of Toronto-based label Life Design, creates pieces which reference some of fashion’s most sought-after trophy bags—among other eye-catching print-based projects. Each drop sells out like hotcakes, so be sure to put your calendar notifications on.
5 / 19
Bad Binch TongTong by Terrence Zhou
Having already dressed Lizzo and Kris Jenner (the latter for Vogue Czechoslovakia), as well as debuting at New York Fashion Week in September, Terrence Zhou is undoubtedly making an industry splash. We can only expect more larger-than-life fashions from the Chinese designer in the coming year.
6 / 19
Alyssa Marie Groeneveld
Dutch-Filipino designer Alyssa Marie Groeneveld’s designs are as cool as they are cerebral. The designer makes audacious challenges to sexuality by dismantling the stereotypes associated with sportswear.
7 / 19
Desirée Iyama
Lagos-based designer Desirée Iyama delivers a chic approach to sexiness while championing body positivity. Iyama inherited her love of garment creation from her mother and grandmother, who are both designers.
8 / 19
Aaron Esh
There’s an unmistakable energy to Aaron Esh’s creations—one that brings together an off-kilter mood with a subversive approach to precision-cut tailoring. What makes the British designer one to watch is his knack for delivering romantically chaotic menswear that feels entirely new.
9 / 19
La Lune
Despite hailing from Vietnam, La Lune creative director Quách Đắc Thắng’s designs feel like they come from outer space. The creative’s ability to manipulate fabrics into unexpected forms reminiscent of sci-fi-inspired characters is nothing short of extraordinary.
10 / 19
Ellie Misner
London-based designer Ellie Misner specialises in eco-conscious womenswear and bespoke corsetry. Using the most vibrant sustainable fabrics, Misner’s designs champion bodies of all sizes and forms.
11 / 19
Ibrahima Gueye
Ibrahima Gueye, a Senegalese designer and IFM Paris graduate, is a master of colour and texture. While exploring Black identities and sensuality, the designer produces striking pieces that are expertly cut.
12 / 19
Tanner Fletcher
Brainchild of Tanner Richie and Fletcher Kasell, Tanner Fletcher is a genderless, Brooklyn-based label that creates exuberant fashion embedded with humour. From pussy-bow blouses to fringed Western-inspired suiting, the design-duo bridges the gap between masculinity and femininity with ease.
13 / 19
Bodice
Bodice is an Indian fashion label that pushes the boundaries of womenswear with architectural silhouettes under the creative direction of Ruchika Sachdeva. The result? Modern fashion at its finest, with a dash of handcrafted luxury.
14 / 19
Nadine Mos
Kuwait-born, Dubai-raised designer Nadine Mosallam is a true champion of sustainable fashion. Crafting the most delicate, feminine pieces from deadstock materials, the designer’s dresses are made to be lived in.
15 / 19
Rukpong
In addition to working as a graphic designer for Saint Laurent and Celine, Rukpong Raimaturapong, a Thai designer based in Paris, won the 19M des Métiers d’Art de Chanel prize in Hyères last year. The designer makes tactile and expertly-cut clothes with references to his Thai heritage.
16 / 19
Vain
Along with having a fantastic sense of humour, Jimi Vain, the artist who formed the Finnish label Vain, also uses techniques to convey an eco-conscious philosophy. They repurposed McDonald’s uniforms for their autumn/winter 2023 collection to produce pieces that celebrate underground subcultures.
17 / 19
Róisín Pierce
Irish designer Róisín Pierce skilfully combines handcrafted methods with cutting-edge techniques. The designer’s pieces are striking and wearable, with instantly recognisable signatures that are equal parts mystical and romantic.
18 / 19
Ernest W Baker
The menswear label Ernest W Baker, based in Portugal and founded by Reid Baker and Inês Amorim, has already dressed the likes of A$AP Rocky, Emma Corrin and Burna Boy. The duo’s ability to create exquisitely tailored ’70s-inspired pieces shows their level of taste.
19 / 19
Ryunosuke Okazaki
Japanese fashion designer Ryunosuke Okazaki consistently pushes the boundaries of contemporary fashion with intricate creations steeped in futurism. With elaborate garments that look straight out of a sci-fi dream, the designer delivers not only on silhouette but also painstaking technique.
This story was originally published on British Vogue.
