Brands Making Waves

We are showcasing independent brands in a new era where customers truly have the power in their wallets.

From Womenswear, Menswear and Homeware: These are some of the brands we are loving this summer.

ESTHÉ is a London based, contemporary brand who produce ethically made, feminine pieces with a playful aesthetic. Garments are made in their own factories in Greece and Bulgaria, ensuring workers are paid fairly for labour and materials are responsibly sourced.

Maison Cléo was created by a French mother-daughter duo, Marie Dewet, a former Manager at Vestiaire Collective and Cléo Dewet, a skilled seamstress. The brand has an exclusive collection with Net A Porter and all pieces are beautifully handmade with the highest quality of fabrics.

London-based brand Rua Carlota's Founder, Charlotte Rose Kirkham, handmakes each unique piece and releases the information to her 56k fans on Instagram. Her small drops, made from used or deadstock materials promoting true no-waste sustainability, have been known to sell out in 3 and a half minutes, creating an awesome exclusivity to the quirky label. Set your reminders!

California based label, Ciao Lucia was created in 2017 and is designed by Lucy Akin. The label is inspired by endless summer holidays, pieces to live in when the weather is hot. Lucy designs the clothes to be coveted, using fabrics which feel luxurious on the skin like silk voiles, washed cotton, gauze and soft silks.

Cushnie is a luxury women’s ready-to-wear and bridal brand designed by Carly Cushnie, founded in 2008. Precisely tailored, Cushnie creates the sleekest pieces with unexpected detailing which ooze sophistication.

Alohas, a summer-inspired footwear label which launched in 2015 in Honolulu, Hawaii by current CEO, Alejandro Porras. A trend-led collection, the summer styles are designed in Barcelona and handcrafted in Alicante. All of the shoes are produced by local trusted artisans as the brand continues to evolve and monitor the environmental impact of the business.

Founded by Kalita Al Swaidi and Raechel Temily in 2015, Kalita is a relaxed-yet-glamorous beachwear label, designed in Bali, Indonesia. The brand has a cult following who adore their take on how beach attire should be. Think fewer kaftans, more show-stopping gowns to take you from the coast to dinner. Dreamy!

Basic Rights was founded in 2016 by guitarist Freddie Cowan and is designed in London and made for wearing. Working with exceptional materials, considered finishing, on-point tailoring and a highly wearable colour palette, the brand offers ethically made wardrobe staples for the modern man including limited additions from their Rubbish Collection made from luxury, end of roll fabrics and recycled yarns that would otherwise end up in landfill.

Paynter Jacket Co. is a London based unisex brand producing chore jackets in exclusive limited editions three times a year. Manufacturing in Portugal, the label was founded by Becky Odell and Huw Thomas who have taken their growing community on the journey of each drop, ensuring radical transparency. The beautifully made jackets sell out in a matter of seconds. Set your alarms for September 5th, all!

Represent is a contemporary, premium fashion studio based in Manchester, founded by brothers George and Michael Heaton. Specialising in men's and women's ready to wear, footwear and accessories, the brand straddles the space between streetwear and luxury using high-quality materials, hardware and details.

CDLP is a men's underwear label, based in Sweden, founded by Andreas Palm and Christian Larson. Made in Portugal, the slick brand exists to redefine the outdated underwear market, producing high performing and consciously made men's essentials. The advertising shows a modern form of masculinity, which was previously missing and much needed.

Sabah is a footwear brand founded by Mickey Ashmore after living in Istanbul. Since 2013, the brand has become the go-to for luxuriously laid-back flats for both men and women, with a fabulous array of colours and prints in supple leathers that get comfier and cooler with every wear.

Founded by New York-based designer Travis Weaver, One DNA’s beautiful gender-neutral pieces breakdown the boundary between womenswear and menswear without sacrificing style. 50% of the profits from the ‘As Long As You Can Breathe’ collection, go to Black Lives Matter charities. 50% of the profits from the ‘Yesterday Today Tomorrow’ collection, go to COVID-19 charities.

Copenhagen based label, Another Aspect produce sustainable menswear, inspired by sensible consumption through thoughtful production, timeless designs and multifunctional separates. The aesthetic is minimal, the fabrics luxe and the message genuine - these pieces are wardrobe favourites to love over time.

Oliver Cabell, a British based, Italian made footwear brand, combining highly minimal design with craftsmanship with a promise of fair pricing and ethical production. Founded in 2016 by Scott Gabrielson, the offering spans both women's and men's and focuses on casual styles, constructed well and made to last.

The New Craftsmen are champions of exceptional British craft. Established since 2012 and founded by Catherine Lock, they promote true craftsmen and unique sculptures and vessels, soft furnishings, furniture, lighting, glassware and crockery. The New Craftsmen take the customer on a visual journey through the artist's processes leading up to the handmade, final product. These beautiful glass sculpted lighting pendants are by Jochen Holz.

Emma J Shipley is a British Illustrator and Homeware Designer with a fantastical, whimsical aesthetic. Emma began her label in 2012 after she launched at London Fashion Week, having graduated from the prestigious Royal College of Art. Emma hand draws each of the unique and highly imaginative prints which can be found in jewel colours on plush velvet cushions, gorgeous wallpapers, roller blinds and her newest addition, luxe scented candles and diffusers.

You may have seen the uber clever adverts for Maker & Son's sofas and chairs? If you haven't already, go and see just how comfortable (not to mention beautiful) these creations are. As founders, Father and Son duo Alex Willcock and Felix Conran are a part of a family entrenched in design. Their mission focuses on creating 100% natural furniture built on a foundation of comfort and support to last a lifetime.

Anissa Kermiche is a sculpture and fine jewellery brand founded by Parisian-born Anissa Kermiche having studied at Central Saint Martins. In 2016, following the success of Kermiche's sell-out creation, “Love Handles”, the brand gained cult status among press, influencers and celebrities who adore her empowered portrayal of feminine form and elegant-yet-bold statements. Her pieces can be found at many luxury retailers with exclusive editions for Charity Breast Cancer Now and The Conran Shop.

Nuku is a minimal homeware brand with a chilled, stylish aesthetic. Nkuku (pronounced Nuh-ku-ku) works with artisans throughout the world, combining timeless design with natural materials. The brand was founded by Ali and Alex Cooke when they set off on a year-long round the world trip, borrowing the name "Nkuku" from Zambia along the way, wishing to tell the story of every product they design. At Nkuku, you will find beautiful natural garden furniture, woven furnishings and stylish accessories amongst other gems.

Cool Machine is an art and design shop founded by Hélène Rebelo and Edouard Beauget. This unique homeware destination is dedicated to showcasing emerging Artists and Designers, lesser-known from around the world and selling at affordable prices. Selecting fun yet uber-stylish creations, you didn't know you needed from squiggly vases to art deco style plant holders, they have it all.

Spicer and Wood is a homeware brand based in Stoke Newington, London. Founded in 2017, these beautifully crafted pieces in highly desirable colour palettes, form collections which include textiles, kitchen and tableware, glassware, candles and vases among other uniquely shaped items for the home. The amber glass cockatoo shaped vase and shell dish are both on our list.