New fashion labels to love in 2018
Wandler
If there’s one consolation for going back to work after the holiday hiatus, it’s self-gifting – think of it as giving karma a nudge for all that forbearance and generosity over Christmas. Top of our wish list is a new bag from Wandler. Dutch designer Elza Wandler creates sleek leather bags in made-you-look colour combinations (lime green with a pink lining, and the best chestnut out there). It’s so compelling that net-a-porter.com, matchesfashion.com and brownsfashion.com all picked up the brand in its first season. Lotta open-top leather tote (above), £575, Matchesfashion.com
Pascale James
What happens when a television producer and a zoologist fall in love? They keep the surprises coming and turn to jewellery design. At least that’s what happened for Antonia Pascale and Christopher James, who have created Pascale x James. Their debut collection includes moon- and coral-shaped pendants and earrings inspired by the natural world. All designs use recycled silver or fair-trade gold. ‘I want our customers to feel the weight and strength of our designs,’ Pascale says. ‘They are mini sculptures, with stories of their own.’ Orogenesis mini moon pendant, £310, pascalejames.com
On the Island
Something about this time of year invites travel planning – and whether the trips you have in mind are around the corner or wholly theoretical, chances are they involve sun. Enter On The Island, a new swim and resortwear brand from Marios Schwab. The swimsuits and cotton-voile cover-ups have all the sophistication of Schwab’s evening wear. And just ashe fused fashion and jewellery on the runway, so many of the swimsuits feature sophisticated details. The best part of any holiday is the anticipation – until you find the right swimwear, that is. From £190, Net-a-porter.com
Les Heroines
Anyone who has ever been a bridesmaid will attest to the fact that finding matching or coordinating dresses that make everyone happy is almost impossible. Enter Les Heroines, a new Paris-based bridesmaid brand that specialises in dreamy silk and chiffon slip dresses, jumpsuits and tailoring. The label is the creation of stylist Vanessa Cocchiaro, who felt the bridesmaid-dress market was severely lacking in well-priced looks. Her fluid and flattering mint, ivory, rose and caramel pieces cost between £120 and £420. ‘My aim was to make something beautiful and fashionable that can be worn again,’ she told us. Suddenly, bridesmaid duty seems much more appealing. From £140, Lesheroines.com
Paul Surridge at Cavalli
Not so long ago, the name Cavalli brought to mind visions of blingtastic glamour. But now Brit Paul Surridge has taken the helm at the Italian label, and his new collection suggests that change is in the air. The 12-piece capsule still includes some of the molto fabulous Cavalli signatures, such a s zebra prints and sensual cut-outs, but with a more modern feel. Babouche slippers and chunky wooden bangle s make an eclectic finishing touch. Zebra-print coat, £2,450, and shoes, £525, both robertocavalli.com
Iris & Lilly
Women without wings need great lingerie, too. Iris & Lilly, Amazon’s new underwear brand, promises to meet shoppers’ demand for a great fit – for everybody, not just Victoria’s Secret Angels. If that means feeling as relaxed and happy as Thai boxer, model and TED Talk-giver Mia Kang appears here in the new campaign, shot by photographer Cass Bird, we want in. Bra, £12.99, and thong, £8.99, both amazon.co.uk
Mounser
A little daytime glamour never hurt anybody. Get yours in the form of the exaggerated silhouette earrings from Mounser, the New York-based jewellery line. Designer Amanda Assad Mounser has run her brand since 2009, but the earrings -- far more in common with modernist sculptures than basic gold hoops -- are ever so 2018. They’re adornments, cultural nods and conversation-starters all in one. Now that’s multitasking. £225, libertylondon.com
Marni x Stutterheim
Take a minimal raincoat brand, add a dollop of Italian spirit and upbeat colours, and you’ve got a formula for some of the sunniest macs we’ve seen. They’re from Marni’s second collection with Swedish label Stutterheim. The six designs – three for women, three for men – feature contrasting bands of colour (egg-yolk yellow, emerald green, sky blue) on Marni’s cocoon-like coats. Because we all need a reason to smile when the heavens open. £590, stutterheim.com
Dodo Bar Or
Dorit Bar Or began her fashion career almost by accident – as an actor, she would run up dresses for red-carpet events and photo shoots. When friends kept asking where they could buy her outfits, she took the hint and launched her semi-eponymous brand (‘Dodo’ being a nickname for ‘Dorit’) . Now the Tel Aviv-based designer has a loyal following of women crazy about her keffiyeh-inspired kaftans. The biggest surprise is how beautifully this beach-centric brand transitions to the winter months, though no one would blame you for getting a headstart on summer with this striped design. £380, Net-a-porter.com
Tabitha Simmons bridal
When Poppy Delevingne asked Tabitha Simmons, her stylist-turned-shoe designer friend, to make a pair of wedding shoes in 2014, it was only a matter of time before Simmons determined to offer the service to the rest of us. This month Simmons launches her first bridal collection, featuring bestselling and new designs in white, cream and blush satin. You can also monogram your pair with your initials-to-be, just like Delevingne. From £445, tabithasimmons.com
Joseph handbags
Joseph’s brand of quiet-but-stylish design makes for clothes that discerning grown-ups really want to wear. Last year, the brand extended its reach to shoes (cue chic leather loafers), and this month its bags finally arrive in store. There are utilitarian pouches , elegant bucket bags, and riffs on your school staples in the form of sleek backpacks and satchels. But it’s the boxy bowling bags in two-tone leather (above) that top our shopping list right now. From £425, joseph-fashion.com
Mansur Gavriel puffers
First came handbags, then came cashmere coats – and now Floriana Gavriel and Rachel Mansur, the designers behind Mansur Gavriel, have turned their attention toward the humble puffer. The made-in-Italy down coats are less ‘hit the slopes’, more ‘pose for an Instagram story in Soho’. That’s because, as withMansurGavriel’s other ready-to-wear and accessories, colour is key; the coats come in black, navy, a rich terracotta hue and (of course) ‘rosa’, aka millennial pink. From £740, mansurgavriel.com
