The best rising British fashion brands to get to know now
It’s no secret that Britain is the home of many a great thing and the country’s designers and dressers are no exception.
A creative nation with a storied history steeped in fabric mills that once exported some of the finest fabric around the globe, it’s the birthplace of iconic designs like the Macintosh and the mini skirt, and home to some of the best tailors in the industry. In recent years a new crop of eclectic designers have sprung up who marry the teachings of yesteryear with a modern, exciting flare.
Of course, when first thinking of UK designers, titans like Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, Victoria Beckham and Stella McCartney likely spring to mind but dig a little deeper and you’ll find a host of smaller brands fuelling the sartorial agenda.
Specialising in everything from workwear to party wear to everyday wear, these UK-born labels are making boundary-pushing clothes for both the minimalist and maximalist that are stylish, wearable and, importantly, designed to last.
From Rixo to Kepler and Rejino Pyo, below we’ve collated our favourite British fashion labels that are worth keeping tabs on this season and beyond.
(Nicky Sims/BFC - Getty Images)
A British brand that every Instagrammer is obsessed with, Rixo was founded by London College of Fashion alumni, Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey, in 2015 and has since become the go-to for brightly coloured and printed dresses. The styles are perfect for weekend dressing and paired with heels or wedges, can instantly be transformed into wedding-guest material.
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(rixo@Instagram)
Launched in 2016, Alexandra Hadjikyriacou and Jaimee Mckenna’s cult label, Kepler, focusses on knit as a medium and each of the pieces are made by hand. A little grunge, a little sexy, the beauty lies in the construction and contours of the garments which have been worn by the likes of Billie Eilish and Kim Kardashian.
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(keplerlondon@Instagram)
Haeni Kim founded Kitri in London in 2017 after being frustrated with the lack of places to go for hero pieces that were actually affordable. Today, its garments are worn by influencers and editors alike and it has become synonymous with playful, wearable designs.
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(kitristudio@Instagram)
After graduating from Central Saint Martins and spending time at Roksanda, Rejina Pyo launched her own label in 2012. 10 years on, it’s adored worldwide for its structured and classic designs. Investing in a piece means you'll more than likely have it forever.
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(rejinapyo@Instagram)
An ‘It’ label since its arrival in 2013, Shrimps counts Alexa Chung, Pixie Geldof, Poppy Delevingne and Lily Allen as fans. Its hero item is the faux fur coat but its also known for whimsical patterns and dreamy, etherial cuts.
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(shrimps@Instagram)
Worn by Amal Clooney, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Lena Dunham, 16Arlington’s rise since its launch in 2017 has been stratospheric. The brand is centered on the concept of ‘design for a good time’ and one look at the glamorous, eccentric party wear and you can easily see why.
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(16arlington@Instagram)
Grace Wales Bonner launched her eponymous label in 2014 and started out with menswear before expanding into womenswear. Her designs center arounds sportswear and tailoring and take influence from European, African and West Indian aesthetic.
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(walesbonner@Instagram)
The UK’s first denim brand launched as Made in Heaven in 1969 but in 2006, the original founder’s goddaughter, Chloe Lonsdale, resurrected it as M.i.h. Jeans. Today its the place for retro-inspired classic denim pieces as well as timeless shirts, dresses and knitwear.
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(mihjeans@Instagram)
A dream label for the Instagram and Tiktok generation, House of Sunny celebrates all things retro with vibrant prints and vintage cuts. It’s the go-to brand for reimagined tracksuits, swirl-print dresses and heavily printed co-ords which have been seen on the likes of Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Dua Lipa.
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(houseofsunny@Instagram)
Founded in 2014 by model and wife of Nick Cave, Susie Cave, The Vampire’s Wife celebrates all things feminine with incredible, structured party wear. Heavy on vintage, form-fitting silhouettes and lamé – it's the brand to shop for any celebratory occasion that requires something a little bit glam.
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(thevampireswife@Instagram)
Mother of Pearl’s focus is on creating sustainable garments that will have a lifeline long after one season. The designs are classic but never dull, with playful nods added to minimalist details like metal accents or structured bodices or shoulders.
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(motherofpearl@Instagram)Looking to discover new British fashion brands? See our list of the best UK designers worth keeping on your radar from Rixo to Kitri, MIH to Wales Bonner.