Kristin Mallison

Kristin Mallison, the Brooklyn based independent designer, creates historical garments made modern, according to her website.

She describes her inspiration and ethos as “Floral jacquard fabrics” that are “carefully taken from vintage chairs, couch cushions and mid-century throw pillows via antique auctions & more. These fabrics provide the structural support necessary for making quality furniture and interior goods that withstand the test of time.”

I came across her brand while doing a bit of research on up and coming designers that are into the craftsmanship that plays apart of creating one of a kind, timeless pieces.

This dress is such a classic piece that can be worn with a cute Tank or T-Shirt underneath. Go can completely retro, or modern. Boots or sandals. I mean, so versatile.

She’s currently having a 15% off sale on the entire website! You can shop what’s available here. And visit her Instagram KristinMallison

2. Itiya Studio

Itiya is a designer who relocated to London to study fine arts and art history. She now creates sustainable up-cycled pieces that feature artworks, unique hand stitching techniques, or printed fabrics designed by the designer herself.

In her About Me section via her website, she describes Itiya Studio as a “brand that can take care of the world.”

Click here to visit the site and follow her Instagram: Itiya Studio

3. Louise Not Vuitton

I know right ! So good 😩.

I came across this brand a couple of months ago and I immediately knew I wanted this on one of my top 8 segments. I mean look at the material!

Louise, grew up in Switzerland but is heavily influenced by her Thai roots. Her about me section reads.. “Every piece is hand made from recycled precious metals and gemstones sourced from an independent gem specialist located in Hatton Garden, London.” How cool is that?!

Her pieces range anywhere from £80 to £2200 and can be found on her website

4. Hodakova

Ellen Hodakova Larsson is the designer and creator behind the sexy, almost 2 year old brand, Hodakova.

The brands ethos is defined as “stories through portraits of time”.

Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Hodakova focuses on handmade and reconstructed methods from the past, to serve up old materials on a modern, luxurious platter.

The way things sell out on the site, time is not on your side ! If you’re looking to snag her one of a kind, reworked pieces, you may want to teleport to checkout.

A bag, like the Buckle Baguette in white, can run you $2400, so have your coins ready!

A belt tube dress. Beautifully crafted on the body.

You can find more of her pieces for sale (if they’re not sold out already) on her website

5. Mega Mikaela

The Knitwear brand MegaMikaela was founded in 2021 by The Swedish School of Textile, Fashion Design graduate student, Mikaela Mårtensson.

She plays on fusing yarns and hardware together to create her own knitted textile, and I am truly in awe.

This brand is refreshing, new, and modern, yet pulls inspiration from historical garments, building a connection between past and present.

The ‘Me Without You’ skirt pictured above, will cost you €600.00 and is handmade to order. It takes about 1-5 weeks to be crafted and shipped to your doorstep, so plan ahead when thinking of pieces to complete your look.

Be sure to follow the brand on its Instagram and visit the site to place your order.

6. Non Manon

Lisbon Native, Marta Carvalho, refers to her brand as a Vintage e-tailer, and I’d have to agree.

The cuts on her handmade suits and skirts remind me of the 70s, donning colorful far out prints on modern bell bottom trousers.

The pieces are made to be fun, unique, and outgoing, making it hard for any customer to swap them out for fast fashion alternatives.

The pieces are made to order from limited run, and dead stock fabric, in order to avoid waste, according to Vogue.UK.

Per the brands Instagram, they’re currently “on break” but I do think you should give them a follow.

7. Emma K. Gudmunson

Apparently The Swedish School of Textiles is out here pumping out mega talent that can manipulate fabrics like no other.

Like Mega Mikaela, Emma also graduated from the alma mater.

After leaving her family business (according to BrownsFashion.com) to pursue design, and graduating, Gudmunson founded her namesake brand in 2020.

Her main focal point: experimental knitwear with a sustainable approach.

The designs are intricately spun together in Sweden, on a domestic knitwear machine.

The attention to detail that can resemble an alien like aesthetic, reminds me of a knitted version of Iris Van Herpen. But make no mistake about it, the brand still carries its own DNA.

Her handmade pieces can run you anywhere between $180 for a skirt when on sale, to $1,054 for the Blue Radiant Cut Out Dress (centered in pic above).

Stop by her Instagram for some rainbow colored knitwear dresses and skirts.

And shop her pieces on websites like Farfetch, Browns Fashion, and Not Just a Label.

8. Katya Zelentsova

Alright, so, I guess the secrets out….I’m obsessed with knitwear brands. You got me. I’m caught.

For now, not much is known about the brand, as the about me section is short, sweet, and gets straight to the point describing itself as a “London based brand that specializes in sentimental knitwear.”

If you want to keep up with the brand, follow their Instagram, and shop Direct to Consumer or on Ssense.

ALL PHOTOS ARE FROM EACH BRANDS INSTAGRAM PAGE

Literally…all of them.