Every Cool On-the-Rise Brand to Know About, According to Our Editors
As Who What Wear fashion editors, it’s our job to be in the know about the coolest brands of the moment and we’re regularly placing bets on which ones are about to take the industry by storm. We’re constantly meeting with the designers behind just-launched labels, saving screenshots from Instagram about labels that excite us, and chatting at the office about the new labels we’re wearing IRL. So what are the up and coming brands we can’t stop talking about right now?
From the shoes that will be everywhere this fall to the buzzy designers straight out of Copenhagen Fashion Week to luxe basics brands you need to know about, there are a number of cool must-know fashion labels you need to know about now. Ahead, find out the 18 best on-the-rise fashion brands to know about right now, according to Who What Wear’s editors, and shop our curated picks.
Manu Atelier
Manu Atelier has quickly risen to the top of my must-buy list with its cool takes on bags and footwear. These duck boots are destined to be in the closets of every fashion insider this fall.
Wandler
Another accessories brand that is worth the investment? Wandler, whose square-toe heels and boots are already It items for the season ahead.
Moya
I recently discovered London-based jewelry and bag brand Moya and instantly fell in love with its beautiful, sculptural designs that take inspiration from artists like Brancusi. The designers tap into fall's chunky jewelry trend with a strong point of view that feels very personal to the brand.
Remain
"Remain is one of the latest of many brands to come out of Copenhagen, and I expect that it's going to be big. The leather pieces in unexpected colors (and unexpectedly reasonable prices) are especially beautiful."
Art Dealer
"With its colorful, vintage-inspired (1980s-inspired, specifically) silky pieces, Art Dealer nails the cool Italian-girl aesthetic. Luckily, the pieces are much more wearable than the authentic '80s pieces you'd find in a vintage store."
Altaire
"I first discovered this Los Angeles brand when I spotted a particularly special bag on our assistant editor Anna LaPlaca's desk. Spoiler: It was Altaire. I love the silk plus exotics combination and the unique shapes. I'd wear it dressed up to a wedding and more casually every day too, so basically, it's a win for any occasion in my life."
Worme
"If you look up effortless in the dictionary, I'm fairly certain you'll find an image of a woman dressed in Worme. Its solid silk pieces are the opposite of trendy, and that's exactly why I love them. Isn't the chartreuse green special?"
Emme Parsons
"If you're a minimalist at heart, you'll love the barely there strappy silhouettes of L.A.-based Emme Parsons sandals. Every pair is thoughtfully handmade by artisans in Tuscany with a focus on thoughtful details and cleans lines. They're timeless and will literally go with everything in your closet."
The Range
"I'm always on the lookout for luxurious and elevated basics to add to my wardrobe. The Range is one of my new favorite brands for luxurious staples that you can actually wear from day to night. Based in NYC, the sisters behind the brand are redefining downtown cool where effortless and seasonless styling is the focus. While it's still a relatively new brand, it's already selling at major retailers—Net-a-Porter, Shopbop, and Intermix."
Aeryne
"Dreamy floral prints and voluminous sheer pieces are what the Scandinavian-designed, Paris-based brand does best. Its Celine dress—a ruched watercolor print midi dress—has been making the rounds on the Instagram feeds of fashion insiders, and since the brand is carried on Revolve, I think it's only a matter of time until its everywhere."
Janis Studios
"Want to know the bag that cool girls all over NYC are wearing right now? Meet Janis Studios. The brand launched with its signature Darka Bag, a simple yet brilliant concept. In just two sizes and a handful of colors, the idea is that you can swap out the handles depending on mood, occasion, or season."
Rezek Studio
"Rezek Studio's disco-inspired pieces all look like they're made for having a really, really good time. I'm into the green silk pieces, and have my eye on the Trippy Top, which looks like it would be the perfect unexpected layering piece for fall."
Nué
"With party dressing shaping up to be a major trend for the season ahead, I have a feeling newly launched brand Nué came about at just the right time. Its shockingly cool crystal crop tops are already popular with some of my favorite girls to follow, and I'm only expecting its influence to grow in the coming months."
Bernadette
"The mother and daughter duo of Bernadette warm your heart just as much as their collections do. Each piece is more striking than the next thanks to the unique florals, sultry silks, and versatile silhouettes. Considering the fact that the brand is already stocked at Net-a-Porter, Moda Operandi, MyTheresa, and more, I'm convinced this brand will only continue to grow."
Mietis
"Mietis is a brand I've had my eye on for a little while now. Most commonly known for its handbags, this brand is one to watch in the accessories world, and this little pistachio number proves it."
Petit Kouraj
"Petit Kouraj has been on my radar recently for many reasons. One, because the brand just did a collab with another one of fashion's favorite on-the-rise brands, SVNR, and two, because the crafty trend is all I can think about for fall 2019."
Helmstedt
"I just got back from Copenhagen Fashion Week, which reaffirmed my belief that Helmstedt will be the next major Danish cult sensation. Last year, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark presented designer Emilie Helmstedt with the prestigious Magasin du Nord Fashion Prize, and this season the designer outdid herself with whimsical, fairytale-worthy designs. Seriously, don't tell me her designs don't belong in Alice in Wonderland."
Escvdo
"Escvdo is a sustainable Peruvian brand that's new on my radar. Designed by two sisters, the brand is made by local Peruvian artisans. Its newest trunk show on Moda Operandi ended, but keep your eyes peeled when the collection launches later this year."
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.