Finding new designers, the best new brands and spotting trends before they are even fully born is a goal and constant challenge for any fashion warrior. Not to worry, here is a compiled list of next-best-thing brands who are hitting trends, breaking them and then reconstructing them. Take these into battle with you, and you might just make a hit!
Luxury Designer
Houghton is a chic, edgy and luxurious designer Ready-To-Wear line. Designed by Katharine Polk, Houghton is designed and produced in New York City. Houghton likes to blur the lines between strong, men's wear-inspired silhouettes and the femininity of the females she designs for. I was first introduced to this brand after Katharine was awarded the Caleres St Louis Fashion Fund Emerging Designer Award in October of 2015. The quality of design and trend accuracy that walked down their Spring-Summer 2016 runway rivals that of a high-powered fashion house. But don't just listen to me, let the catwalk speak for itself!
Celebrities who have discovered the collection include Lily Collins, Kerry Washington, Kate Hudson, Selena Gomez, Emily Deschanel, Caitlin Fitzgerald, Kate Mara, Taylor Swift and Angelina Jolie.
Athletic Wear
Outdoor Voices is a blend between LULU Lemon and Urban Outfitters athletic wear. To be honest, you many not want to work out in many of their clothes, because they are just so good-looking when you put them on! Outdoor Voices recognizes that much of the time, athletic wear is not worn just for performance. It is worn for simply 'doing things,' as their website promotes time and again. Additionally, they offer a unique service with 'Kits.' Buy a whole, on-point outfit for one lump sum. Personally, this sounds like a foolproof way to help bae or gramma with birthdays and the holidays. Now, unless you live in Manhattan or Austin, Texas, you will probably have to order their clothes online. But do not fret, my fit fashionistas, Outdoor Voices has free shipping and free returns!
Shoes
Missta Shoes is everything. If you want to be ahead of the trend and a stand out from the crowd, always start with the feet. With 67.4K Instagram followers, Missta is no secret. Based in Hackney, London, Missta is always searching for an elegant balance in the unusual. Their design philosophy is to pair elements that would otherwise be clashing, but make them beautiful in a completely unique way. Take their signature 'ZOE OPAL,' for example. Iridescent, men's wear-inspired loafer? At first, you do not know what to think about the combination. Until all at once, like me, you become obsessed with their entrancing glow. Seriously, like look at these shoes!
Looking for a sandal? My personal favorite is the Lucille.
Outdoor/Adventure
Mutton Head, founded in 2009, feeds the adventurous soul with cool and sturdy adventure wear. Personally, my passions for design lay in designer/couture and adventure wear. I know, a very strange combination that causes for some seriously wacky sketches. So when I found Mutton Head, I was thrilled at how highly they value form and function, but do not take themselves too seriously. Their easy-going, alpine attitude exonerated how any free spirit wants to look while shredding the slopes, hiking up a mountain, or just walking on a leisurely nature trail. The brand is 100 percent Canadian, as their website proudly boasts.
Mutton Head is also a responsible company. Their company philosophy stresses local production, making accessible fair-trade garments, and educating as many people as possible about why these things matter. "Slow Design," in contrast to the current trend of "Fast Fashion," allows the company to focus on high quality and comfort. Is anyone else getting as jazzed about responsible apparel manufacturing?
Menswear
I Love Ugly is the brainchild of New Zealand native Valentin Ozick. I Love Ugly is just cool, plain, and simple. It definitely takes style and confidence for a guy to rock some of their looks, but damn do they look good doing it. Silhouettes aim to elongate the body with long cut t-shirts and baggy ankled joggers. Future boyfriend, please take notes.
Bonus Brand: Jewelry
Anna Sheffield. Sorry, ladies, I am about to introduce you to your future wedding ring. I apologies for the obsession that is about to ensue. These rings speak for themselves.
Anna is a Manhattan designer original from Northern New Mexico. She creates jewelry for the alternative customer. Her rings are one of a kind with antique-inspired origins. Here are some more examples, because I know you want them.
So many inspiring, wonderful brands to freshen your fashion palette. Have fun, my fashion-crazed friends. Check back often for more fashion, life style, and of course opinions.
X Abz
