We make a conscious decision to keep our wardrobes well balanced. For every high street hit, we're sure to invest in the ethical and eco-friendly brands that are paving the way for responsible fashion. For every mass-produced item that – let's face it – the entire office will own, we seek out the independent labels bringing us fresh design and individuality.
From Rixo, the duo bringing us silk dresses in bold prints, to Cult Gaia, the brand responsible for the bag on every blogger's arm this summer, finding a new label is what keeps us on our sartorial toes. Coming out of London to LA, via Barcelona and Sydney, we've rounded up our five favourite brands of the moment. Let's just keep them between us, ok?
Great news for those dedicated to ethical fashion: all Posse's pieces are created by hand, mostly by craftswomen working from home in Bali, allowing them to work at their own pace and raise families while earning an above-average wage.
The Sydney-based brand, inspired by classic French style, produces timeless pieces like wrap dresses, wicker baskets and A-line skirts. With slightly more exciting elements – faux snakeskin mules, woven sliders, red silk dresses – this Australian label has already garnered the attention of Michaela Wissén, Loulou De Saison, and Camille Charrière.
UK-based brand Oh Hey Girl was founded last year by Jade Douse and Symone Mills. Drawing inspiration from Korean street style, the premise is "once it's gone, it's gone", making for a carousel of refreshing new pieces.
Innovative cuts, like trench coats reworked into shoulderless tops, and experimental fabrics – see the raw-edged and exposed-seam denim – bring a British element to the brand, while the Korean influence comes through in illustrated kimonos, oversized culottes, and motocross T-shirts. DJ Emerald Rose Lewis and journalist Barbara Malewicz are already fans.
Paloma Wool's eponymous project is about "getting dressed, and about spaces or ideas that are created around the act of getting dressed". Made in Barcelona, the label produces "objects" like leather bags, silk scarves, minimalist mules, and a book chronicling the project's journey.
Our favourite pieces? The current collection includes cotton jackets, trousers and jumpsuits, emblazoned with artist Tana Latorre's illustrations. Hand-embroidered in India – meaning every piece is unique – the Matisse-esque drawings make each garment a trophy. Check out Reese Blutstein and Stella von Senger's Instagram accounts to see how they styled the signature white shirt.
Founded back in 2015 by Sarah Staudinger and George Augusto, Staud brings contemporary classics with an artistic spin to your wardrobe. Combining clever and kitsch pieces, the LA-based brand's editorial styling is just one of its strong suits.
From sweet little crab motifs on the pockets of short-sleeved shirts, to tie-front printed blouses and city maps printed on tank tops, Staud's high summer collection made us want to book a holiday, stat. The brand has already won the approval of Emily Ratajkowski and Danielle Haim.
When a small team of London creatives became frustrated with the lack of affordable but distinctive designs available, they founded Kitri. The brand curates a new drop every week, and only produces a limited quantity of each piece, so there's no danger of turning up to work in the same outfit as your colleague.
From Bardot-esque smock-sleeved dresses to Hockney-inspired pool-blue sundresses, Kitri makes off-kilter classics that work as well for the office as they do at the weekend. Highlights are the green cocoon-sleeve shirt and the gingham corset shirt, which have caught the eye of Lindsey Holland, Katherine Ormerod, and Brittany Bathgate.
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