Miaou
What do Emily Ratajkowski, Selena Gomez, and Kendall Jenner have in common? They all wear Miaou pants. The New York–based label by Alexia Elkaim made headlines last winter when its curve-enhancing trousers with built-in belts were being worn by style stars of all stripes. The belts are interchangeable, and come in a variety of finishes, though fit is at the brand’s core. Discouraged with the lack of options available for women without model measurements, Elkaim tailored a pair of cropped jeans unearthed in a Parisian thrift store to suit all of her friends. The end result led her to launch the universally flattering trousers we now know as Miaou, which has since evolved to include jumpsuits, tops, and dresses, too.
Orseund Iris
Alana Johnson’s New York–based label was launched several seasons ago, but 2017 was the year it really took off, making the rounds on social media and the street style circuit alike. What began as a collection-based brand that soon developed into a non-seasonal model, it has become a celebrity-approved go-to for reworked classics. Its claim to fame is the corset, which gave way to the three-dimensional bra tops that are every bit as much a hit; whatever the case, both have molded the famous curves of models such as Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski.
Andy Wolf
In 2017, the Austria-based label Andy Wolf worn by Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, and Kendall Jenner became a major source for small, micro frames. Katharina Schlager launched the brand back in 2006—though it only recently started offering sunglasses in addition to reading glasses. The tipping point came courtesy of Rihanna, who sported the label’s white Ojala sunnies—a style featuring a distinctive raised square bridge detail—on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Despite the international buzz that followed Rihanna’s turn, Andy Wolf has continued to stay true to its roots: Every pair is handmade in the city of Hartberg using a 90-step process grounded in local customs.
HVN
Sometimes a celebrity is at the heart of a celebrity-approved label, like HVN by Harley Viera-Newton. In 2016, the DJ and It girl drew upon her affinity for vintage dresses to launch a collection of retro-minded frocks done in playful feminine prints such as cherries, flowers, and gingham. Viera-Newton’s It girl pals, from Alexa Chung to Caroline Issa to Natalie Joos, have been wearing the pieces since the line first launched on MatchesFashion.com, but as the brand’s list of available retailers has grown, so has its celebrity fan base (it has had major sightings both stateside and abroad). This summer, Victoria’s Secret model Taylor Hill boarded a yacht in St. Tropez wearing an emerald-green floral slip dress replete with matching bandana (a HVN signature). After Selena Gomez took the bright blue daisy-print style to Coachella in April, the HVN checkered shirtdress turned up in a photo shoot for her “Bad Liar” music video the following May.
I.Am.Gia
This Australian label, where nothing is priced over $200, was only launched last May, but it’s already being stockpiled by the likes of Bella Hadid, Kaia Gerber, and Jordyn Woods (to name a few). Not long after Hadid wore the then-yet-to-be-released Cobain pants—a gathered-hem khaki trouser strung with a chintzy chain wallet–inspired detail—the label became an Instagram sensation. Co-founded by Alana Pallister and her sister, Stevie Cox, the brand has gained a cult social media following; customers can also conveniently shop their Instagram feed within the e-commerce site. Who is Gia? The mystery, it seems, is all part of the fun, and is emphasized in the pithy language like “Can You Keep a Secret?” that punctuate the brand website. If nothing else, the ambiguity is only fueling the label’s need-to-know appeal.
Roberi & Fraud
We have Bella Hadid to thank for making those little round sunglasses that rest of the edge of your nose a major thing in 2017. After Ali Mehrdad and Stefan Foster launched the Dubai and New York-based eyewear label in April, Hadid put them on the map when she began wearing the selection of ’90s-inspired shades on a near-daily basis. With a price point that tops out at $200, Roberi & Fraud (and, in effect, Hadid) made the Matrix sunglasses trend seen on the Fall 2017 runways increasingly available to the masses. There are other notable mentions to thank, though: Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Selena Gomez also picked up one (or more) pairs of the now-sold-out sunglasses.
Manning Cartell
This Australian label was already big “down under,” but it wasn’t until 2017 that Manning Cartell expanded into the U.S. market via an exclusive with Barneys New York (sold in most stores as well as online). Founded by the Manning sisters Cheryl, Gabrielle, and Vanessa, the brand has made ethical manufacturing a key component woven into everything from the day-to-night dresses to their statement trousers and accessories. Since landing stateside, the brand has been worn by a number of stars including Amal Clooney, Margot Robbie, Hailey Baldwin, Jeanne Damas, and Zendaya.
Rouje
French It girl and international fashion icon Jeanne Damas launched Rouje in 2016. The label that revolves around fuss-free Parisian basics (think silk blouses, menswear-inspired coats, and kicky LBDs) is French girl style realized—and nothing will set you back more than $200. Selena Gomez is now among the brand’s ever-expanding list of celebrity followers, having worn their wrap dresses on several occasions in 2017. Across the pond, Sienna Miller has been taking a liking to the line’s easygoing pieces—including a knit patterned jumpsuit she wore on a recent evening in London.
Ruslan Baginskiy
Hats of all shapes and sizes were big in 2017, but none were bigger than ones from Ukrainian milliner Ruslan Baginskiy. The designer saw overnight success after his hats began topping the heads of Bella Hadid, Kaia Gerber, Sofia Richie, and Elsa Hosk this past year. Although the label was first launched in 2015, it wasn’t until Hadid and Gerber were both photographed at the same New York Fashion Week party wearing Baginskiy’s cadet caps that the Kiev-based label went viral. A look at the Eastern European import’s growing Instagram presence reveal a mix of straw boaters, wide-brim sun hats, and wool fedoras, all with a similar accessible price point between $160 and $280.
Réalisation Par (which translates from French to English as ‘made by’ or ‘styled by,’) was initially founded by Alexandra Spencer and Teale Talbot in 2015. The Australian label hinges on the idea of creating individual pieces, rather than entire collections, in order to fill the gaps in women’s wardrobes, offering items they didn’t know they wanted or even needed. With celeb fans such as Alexa Chung, Kaia Gerber, and Emily Ratajkowski, it’s a refreshing surprise that every item is made from 100% silk and nothing is over $250. The main takeaway? Pretty, printed dresses are the brand’s calling card.
courtesy BBB.COM
