London Fashion Week has come to a close for another season and it’s an exciting time for up-and-coming designers. But who’s on our radar? Read on for ten ones-to-watch.
The UK is home to main players like Stella McCartney, Burberry and Victoria Beckham, but who are the smaller brands catching our attention? From firm favourites Rixo and Rejina Pyo to newcomers pushing their way through, these are the designers we’re excited to watch, and shop, now.
YAITTE
This London-based line of luxury and timeless essentials was founded in 2017 by Danielle Jade Windsor, who’s worked for brands including Viktor & Rolf and Matthew Williamson. Inspired by travel and exploration, Yaitte’s capsule collections are designed with a transeasonal approach for modern women on the go and are follow a slow fashion ethos. The striped shirts are a winning piece.
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DORA LARSEN
Dora Larsen founder Georgia Larsen started her career as a buyer in lingerie and fashion before creating her own brand in 2016. Tired of wearing uncomfortable and uninspiring bras, Georgia wanted to offer women underwear that was comfortable for everyday wear but was still special and empowering. Her colourful creations are designed in London and produced in limited quantities, sustainability lying at the heart of what they do.
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NENSI DOJAKA
Albanian womenswear designer Nensi Dojaka won the 2021 LVMH Prize for Young Designers and is making waves in the fashion industry thanks to her fusion of ’90s minimalism and intricate designs. The Central Saint Martins graduate launched her label in 2017 and celebrities including Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski have been seen wearing her lingerie-inspired creations. She’s one-to-watch.
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ALIGIERI
Founder Rosh Mahtani grew up in Zambia, Africa where she spent her childhood collecting “magical” stones, before moving to London when she was 9 years old. Reading French and Italian at Oxford, she fell in love with Italian poet Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy and resonated with his story of being lost in a dark wood. Rosh created her demi-fine jewellery brand in 2014 to guide her through darker times and her talismans are designed as a modern heirloom, giving the wearer strength and courage as they did for her those years ago.
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REJINA PYO
Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Rejina Pyo launched her eponymous fashion brand in London after studying at Central Saint Martins. She went on to win the British Emerging Talent award for womenswear in 2019 with a vision to create modern, wearable pieces that maintain relevance and quality over time and explores dressing as an everyday phenomenon. Rejina has a growing list of celebrity fans and stockists worldwide.
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HARMUR
Created by a mother and daughters trio, Harmur is a British brand founded by women, for women. What started as a mother creating her daughters a simple summer top has become a luxury brand that offers sexy yet feminine pieces with a key design element – they’re backless. Made in house at the Harmur Studio using hand-finished techniques, the collections are predominantly made from silk and offer the wow factor every woman wants.
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16ARLINGTON
This cult London label has dressed everyone from Lady Gaga to Jennifer Lopez, and has made a name for itself as evening wear with soul. Fusing high octane glamour with London ‘cool’, the label is known for its feather trims, signature sequins and party-girl fits that boast a wearable eccentricity.
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SHOREDITCH SKI CLUB
Former All Saints creative director Wil Beedle founded Shoreditch Ski Club in 2018 with a vision of creating skiwear that can be worn on the slopes and on the streets of the brand’s East London home. Made from either partly or 100% recycled fibres from plastic bottles, his specialist puffer jackets are targeted at urban hipsters looking for a contemporary take on the outerwear item.
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E.L.V DENIM
E.L.V. DENIM stands for East London Vintage Denim, as all products are designed and produced locally in Walthamstow, East London. Founded by fashion stylist Anna Foster in 2018, Anna sources vintage jeans and transforms them into modern, sophisticated styles. Following a zero-waste policy, she uses recycled denim otherwise destined for landfills to create sustainable jeans for the modern wearer.
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RIXO
One of London’s most favoured brands, Rixo’s story began between friends Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey in 2015 whilst studying at the University of Arts London. Both women have a passion for vintage and bonded over flea market finds, and this is clear through their floral prints and feminine, retro silhouettes – evoking a wanderlust and free spirit in all their wearers. Despite their growing status, no piece is mass-produced and the brand remains family run with small suppliers – the designers hand-painting each print themselves. You’ll be reaching for Rixo all wedding season.
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The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some of the products purchased through affiliate links.
