13 Under-the-Radar Fashion Brands Founded and Designed by Influencers
This trend goes way beyond Nordstrom and Revolve.
As the line between social media and e-commerce continues to blur, more influencers are beginning to realize that if they can sell someone else's product, why should't they just sell their own? With bloggers like Arielle Charnas of Something Navy and Danielle Bernstein of WeWoreWhat making millions off of design partnerships with Nordstrom and Onia, respectively — in fact, just recently Aimee Song of Song of Style launched her first collection in partnership with Revolve — it makes sense that clothes made by influencers are becoming the new clothes worn by influencers.
Though blogger-backed brands are nothing new, over the past two years, there's been an uptick in influencers creating everything from ready-to-wear and shoes to swim and eyewear. While they may not have the backing of a major retailer, they are delivering items that are directly inspired by the women making them. Here, we've rounded up our favorite (and slightly more under-the-radar) brands from some of Instagram's most stylish women.
Les Fleurs Studio by Maria Bernad
Spanish influencer Maria Bernad is the founder and creative director of Les Fleurs Studio, a destination for vintage clothing, accessories and objects — as well as home to a contemporary collection designed by Bernad herself. Founded in 2017, the store is a true reflection of Bernad's aesthetic, which she describes on the site as "soft, neutral color-based [and] feminine, yet masculine." As such, the site features a carefully curated selection of secondhand items, including a hand-painted porcelain chandelier and an oversized plaid blazer, as well as new pieces, like organza blouses and colorful silk bags adorned with feathers.
Price range: $55-$250
Shop at: Les Fleurs Studio
Rotate Birger Christensen by Thora Valdimars and Jeanette Madsen
Almost immediately after launching at Copenhagen Fashion Week in August 2018, Rotate Birger Christensen, a partnership between Danish brand Birger Christensen and stylists/influencers Thora Valdimars and Jeanette Madsen, became one of fashion's most sought-after new labels. The opposite of Scandinavian style (clean, minimalist cuts and neutral colors), Rotate has carved out a space in the contemporary market (everything is under $600) thanks to its '80s-inspired party dresses. Now on collection three, the brand's plissé mini dresses, satin wrap dresses and embroidered blazer dresses are selling out at retailers like Net-a-Porter and MyTheresa.
Price range: $214-$484
Shop at: Rotate Birger Christensen, Net-a-Porter, MyTheresa
LouLou Studio by LouLou de Saison
In late 2018, LouLou Studio emerged on Instagram with a feed of deliciously soft sweaters, falling directly in line with its founder Chloé Harrouche's (known on Instagram as LouLou de Saison) effortless and androgynous style. Described as the "perfect basic knit with a twist," Paris-based LouLou Studio currently offers three signature styles — the Pietra, a bodysuit; the Piana, a V-neck knit; the Bruzzi, an oversized sweater — all of which are made in Mongolia from only the highest quality wool and cashmere (there's a reason each piece is almost over $300!).
Price range: $289-$334
Shop at: LouLou Studio
EÉRA by Chiara Capitani and Romy Blanga
After years of working together, friends and fellow Italy-based influencers Chiara Capitani and Romy Blanga decided to make their foray into fine jewelry with EÉRA, which launched at Milan Fashion Week in February. Grown out of a shared passion for jewelry, the collection, which is sold exclusively at Moda Operandi, includes high-end (and we mean high-end — seriously, a gold and diamond bracelet will set you back $7,200) earrings, chokers, rings and more starring their now-signature snap hook.
Price range: $1,300-$17,000
Shop at: Moda Operandi
La Veste by Blanca Miro and Maria de la Orden
Named after the French word for "blazer," influencer Blanca Miro and designer Maria de la Orden teamed up in 2018 to launch La Veste, a playful, vintage-inspired line made by hand in Spain. Though centered around jackets (think: a whimsical ringmaster-inspired cropped number and an oversized gingham option), the collection now also includes statement-makers like floral safari hats and high-rise striped trousers. Basically, La Veste's pieces are for the woman who wants to stand out, which shouldn't come as a surprise, considering Miro is one of the most adventurous street style stars in the game.
Price range: $162-$541
Shop at: La Veste
Envelope 1976 by Celine Aagaard
Made by Norwegian influencer Celine Aagaard (who has over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry), Envelope 1976 wants to change the stereotype that sustainable clothing can't also be on-trend. In partnership with Eco.Logic, a company that helps brands develop environmentally conscious and ethically minded production practices (Envelope 1976, for example, uses a vegan dyeing process and recycled alpaca wool), the brand is creating high-quality pieces both in craft and style. Its wrap dresses and oversized sweaters, which first hit stores in October 2018, are timeless.
Price range: $144-$379
Shop at: YME Universe
Le Cafe Noir Studio by Lizzy van der Ligt
Graphic tees are alive and well — at least, according to Dutch stylist and influencer Lizzy van der Ligt, who opened Le Cafe Noir Studio in April 2017. Inspired by a mix of her personal style, her travels and music festivals, her colorful T-shirts, sweatshirts, and accessories emblazoned with the brand's name have become a staple. But they're not the only things worth paying attention to: Other standouts include a tie-dye jumpsuit, a pink denim playsuit and a half-zip track jacket.
Price range: $8-$278
Shop at: Le Cafe Noir Studio
Midnight 00 by Ada Kokosar
First launched as collaboration in 2017 with Italian shoe brand Cesare Paciotti, Ada Kokosar's label Midnight 00 debuted its first official collection for Spring 2019 in all of its maximalist glory. While other companies were betting on comfort and paired-back silhouettes, the half-Slovenian, half-Italian stylist and consultant was designing one of the coolest footwear labels we've seen in years. "Midnight for me is the fairytale, the dream, the magic," she told Footwear News last July. "The inspiration was creating a dream." And is there anything dreamier than high heels wrapped in PVC, crystal embellished pumps or ruched lamé mules?
Price range: $323-$707
Shop at: Farfetch, MatchesFashion
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Amlul by Gala González
Just last month, OG influencer Gala González (she's known as the first Spanish fashion blogger) announced on Instagram that she would be launching a clothing line under the same name as her wildly popular site Amlul. "Imagine a world where you only need the good stuff, the simple yet precise pieces to fill in no more than 23 kg in your suitcase," she wrote. Founded on the premise of an all-year-long resort season (pieces are named after popular vacation spots like Ibiza, Barbados and Mykonos), the brand takes a seasonless approach to ready-to-wear (its motto—and Instagram hashtag—is #NoMoreSeasons) with easy-to-wear dresses, tops and swimwear. Plus, everything is under $300.
Price range: $73-$290
Shop at: Amlul
By Karen Wazen by Karen Wazen Bakhazi
"If you look at the way I dress — my style, my profile — eyewear is definitely something that stands out," Karen Wazen Bakhazi told Vogue Arabia in December 2018. "I've always had an affinity to eyewear, an emotional connection." It makes sense, then, that the Dubai-based influencer launched her own sunglasses range, complete with mod cat-eyes and extra-skinny square frames in electric hues. Though the collection is only 15 pieces deep, it unsurprisingly consists of every eyeglass trend you could possibly want.
Price range: $135-$145
Shop at: Karen Wazen
Veclaim by Jessica Mercedes Kirschner
Following the success of her swimwear line Moiess, Polish blogger Jessica Mercedes Kirschner decided to make her foray into ready-to-wear with Veclaim. Self-described as combining "romantic boho style and minimalism with a hint of avant-garde," the brand's stand-outs are its dresses (like one-shouldered ruched mini), though it also offers a solid selection of tops (see: this silk cami) and midi skirts. Oh, and the lookbook shoots are just as good as the clothing.
Price range:$60-$174
Shop at: Veclaim
Nootka by Lisa Olsson
Available exclusively at Swedish retailer Wakakuu, Nootka offers a modern take on your classic gold jewelry. Founded in 2018 by Stockholm-based Lisa Olsson (a pro at that classic Scandinavian minimalism), Nootka's chunky rings and hoop earrings pair well with the influencer's signature white blazers, tan knits and black dresses. A bonus: Each piece is made from recycled metal and made locally in Sweden.
Price range: $89-$424
Shop at: Wakakuu
Rowen Rose by Emma Rowen Rose
Being born and raised in Paris, it makes sense that influencer Emma Rowen Rose would eventually launch her own chic clothing line. Launched in July 2018, the collections pull inspiration from films like Luis Buñuel's Diary of a Chambermaid, plays like The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico Garcia Lorca, and designers like Miuccia Prada and Phoebe Philo. The result is an offering of evening dresses and statement coats that, as Rose describes on her site, "represent a sophisticated and androgynous elegance."
Price range: $374-$2,187
Shop at: Boutique Rowen Rose
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