Fashion saw quite a few changes this year. With the appointment of new designers at important labels including Celine, Burberry, and Louis Vuitton menswear alone, the world was kept on its toes. Despite that, there’s always room for new designers and the runways this year certainly didn’t lack talent. Here, the best new fashion labels to watch (and wear) in the new year.
Courtesy Marine Serre
Marine Serre
If you follow a certain street style crowd on Instagram, you’ve likely come into contact with Marine Serre’s work. The signature motif of the young designer is a crescent moon, which she prints on bodysuits, shoes, and leggings. Earlier this fall, her Spring/Summer 2019 collection transformed sportswear basics with couture-like techniques and sustainable upcycled fabrics. The world started seriously watching when she won the LVMH Prize in 2017, and by offering a little bit of something for everyone (transparent trench coats, mermaid fluted dresses, fuzzy sweaters, and tailored separates), it’s clear she’s one to watch for the new year. The line is currently stocked at Nordstrom, Barneys, SSense, and more.
Timur Emek/Getty Images; Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Magda Butrym
Based in Poland, Magda Butrym focuses on luxury womenswear. She founded her namesake line in 2014. Worn by Anja Rubik, Kendall Jenner, Alicia Vikander, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, it’s the craftsmanship that makes the label’s rebelliously feminine sequined dresses and cut-out tops stand out. Pieces are hand-finished by local Polish artisans. Whether it’s handloom weaving, hand knitting, or crocheting, each piece has unique handmade elements that end up being one of a kind. Floppy bows and pearls add an extra ladylike edge to the brand’s accessories and shoes.
Courtesy CROSTY
Crosty
Eastern Europe has been at the forefront of cool, undiscovered fashion for the past few years—particularly Georgia. Brand new to the U.S. is Crosty, Georgian leather sneakers that takes inspiration and technique from the country’s old school tradition of shoemaking. Founded by brothers George and Shota Mikaia, each pair is handcrafted in Georgia with premium Italian materials. Crosty delivers on fashion’s current obsession with chunky, ‘90s era dad shoes and many of their sneakers mix suede with calf leather or contrasting laces.
Courtesy A.W.A.K.E.
A.W.A.K.E.
Founded in 2012 by Natalia Alaverdian, who has a background in photography, styling, and art direction, A.W.A.K.E. stands out as one of the few fashion labels that truly creates everyday, wearable pieces with quirky twists. Earlier this year in September, the designer had her first ever runway show in Paris (she previously held intimate presentations). The pieces in the collection—essentials like pleated skirts, button-down shirts, and trousers seemed to be reverse engineered in the best way possible. Shirts were flipped so collars hung upside down under the neck, blazers were printed with giant animal eyes, and trousers had unusual ruching. You can find A.W.A.K.E. at Neiman Marcus, Net-a-Porter, Shopbop, and more.
Courtesy Musika Frère
Musika Frère
Musika Frère just celebrated its fifth year anniversary. But already, designers Aleks Musika and Davidson Petit-Frère have seen Jay Z, Nick Jonas, Chadwick Boseman, Sterling K. Brown, Omari Hardwick, Kevin Hart, Alex Rodriguez, and many more leading Hollywood stars, athletes, and tastemakers wear their luxury tailored suits. The duo combine classic Italian tailoring with techniques from traditional English tailoring to make bespoke suits that have a uniquely flattering slim fit all their own. Up next for the bespoke line is an eventual launch into women’s suits.
Courtesy Kwaidan Editions
Kwaidan Editions
With the combined experience of stints at Céline, Balenciaga, Rick Owens, and Alexander McQueen, Léa Dickely and Hung La created Kwaidan Editions in 2016. As for the clothing itself, Kwaidan Editions specializes in tailored shirts, blazers, and trousers—the kind of clothes that could be worn to work but also have a subtle twist of humor—structured coats come in cobalt blue and long, waxy dresses in Robin egg pastels. Lime green pants are styled with tie dye tees under luxe faux fur jackets. Find them at Ssense and MatchesFashion among others.
Courtesy Wild and Woolly
Wild and Woolly
Nina Cheng launched her line Wild and Woolly in September 2016 with playful furry phone cases made with high-quality sustainably sourced fur. Street style stars and the Kardashians alike were spotted using them in bold colors shortly after the launch, but since then, Cheng has proven she knows just as much about making an adorable pair of fur earrings, a fluff-trimmed banana, and plush fox fur belt bags. The line also recently expanded into wool jewelry and other faux fur options and is currently sold at Nordstrom, Saks, Opening Ceremony, and more.
Courtesy Koche
Koché
Full of sportswear inspired pierces elevated with a technical vision, Koché’s collections often suit either gender and usually captivate a wide ranging audience during fashion week. That’s because the label regularly hosts shows in public, unconventional spaces like The Strand bookstore or the streets of Tokyo. Available at Net-a-Porter, Barneys, and Shopbop, it’s one to watch for its designer Christelle Kocher’s creative sensibility, attention to color, and expert construction.
