A new decade presents infinite possibilities, so the biggest question is: where is fashion going? If 2019 has told us anything, it’s that fashion can only get more radical. Our pick of brands to know include contemporary designers subvert further culture, heritage, gender and luxury. What they’re doing deserves your full attention.
Billowy dresses are always much fun—and Bahnsen is known for her renditions. The Denmark native marries French couture with Scandinavian sensibilities, often using gauzy material for her designs. Although Bansen pursued education in London, it wasn’t until she moved back to Copenhagen in order to focus that she found her signature style.
Available at Dover Street Market Singapore
Image: Instagram @hiraeth.collective
The leather, fur, wool and silk-free label founded by Oscar-winning actress Rooney Mara and her best friends, Sara Schloat and Chrys Wong, has remained pretty under-the-radar since its launch in 2018. The name is Welsh for ‘homesickness’, which is fitting for a brand that longs to restore the connection people have with clothing.
Available at Dover Street Market Singapore
The brand is designer Stefano Pilati’s first design venture post-Zegna, first revealed in 2017. Its androgynous and daring style immediately strikes an image of Berlin, where Pilati now resides. Just last month, Random Identities showed at Pitti Uomo as a special guest. The price points are well under what Pilati is used to producing and is available on.
Available at Dover Street Market Singapore
Image: Instagram @commission.nyc
Two words: nostalchic officewear. Its founders, Parsons buddies Huy Luong, Dylan Cao and Jin Kay, were all inspired by what their mothers were wearing in the 80s and 90s, when the kids were still young. With Commission, the trio, who are Korean and Vietnamese, reimagine their mother’s wardrobe for today’s era. Floral blouses, power shoulders, pencil skirts (hitched on one side) are aplenty.
Available at Net-A-Porter
Image: Instagram @the.peterdo
Any true Philophile would know of Peter Do, the Phoebe Philo protégé that cut his teeth at Céline after graduating in 2014. With this eponymous line that he started in 2018, Do fills the gap Céline left gaping when Philo left. Do designs strongly tailored clothing—all is well cut, androgynous yet super feminine (he does a killer pantsuit).
Available at Net-A-Porter
The young designer not only explores her Persian heritage, but also changes our perception of Middle Eastern aesthetics in the process. Her interesting construction, textiles and presentation has cemented her status as one of London’s strongest designers. Just four seasons in, Farzaneh has 21 stockists globally.
Available at Ssense
The London-based designer cleverly deconstructs undergarments and reimagines them into fully chic, sexy and unabashedly feminine looks. Certainly, a female designer challenging patriarchy and empowering other women through underwear is someone to watch. Corsetry, mini-dresses, bustier tops, garter straps are staple elements of Knowles.
Available at charlotteknowles.com
Image: Instagram @happy99.online
Cute name, right? What they do is cute, cool and then some. The brand first had the world’s attention with viral posts of shoes. Stylists reached out to the creators, only to find out they were entirely imaginary. A year later, they started releasing real products—mixed with virtual pieces meant to only be enjoyed online. Take a look at their virtual lookbook of various Instagram artists.
Available at happy99.online