Style
On The Rise: 15 Emerging Fashion Designers To Watch In 2022
From French couturiers to cult-worthy African brands, there’s brilliant new talent everywhere you look. Check out what these emerging fashion designers have in store
Chanel, Dior, who needs them anymore? We’re kidding, of course. Classics are classics for a reason, but all classic designers were once up-and-coming hopefuls – and there’s always room for fresh designs by a new generation of creatives. From French couturiers to cult-worthy African brands, there’s brilliant new talent everywhere you look right now. Check out what these emerging fashion designers from around the world have in store.
Del Core
Daniel Del Core founded his eponymous fashion house in the Italian fashion capital of Milan. His “Made in Italy” label embodies the idea that fashion is always changing, with each new collection designed to complete or complement previous ones, so that clients can really build an everlasting wardrobe. Glamorous and impressive from a technical perspective, his prêt-à-porter pieces are perfect for the woman who doesn’t want her style to go unnoticed.
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Kenneth Ize
If there’s one thing Nigerian-born and -based Kenneth Ize knows, it’s that fabrics come first. That’s why every single fabric used in his pieces is hand-woven locally – and specifically for the brand – by a small community of artisan weavers. Ize focuses on reinterpreting West African artistry and craft, and is deeply devoted to local handcraft traditions, which makes for one of the most interesting design aesthetics in the industry. Personally, we have our eye on the colourful straight lines of his entire Fall Winter 2020 line.
Nensi Dojaka
If you’re active on basically any social media channel, you’ve most likely spotted one of Nensi Dojaka’s creations. A recent Central Saint Martins graduate, Dojaka’s creations have already been donned by it-girls across the globe, from Bella Hadid to Hailey Bieber and Dua Lipa. Not too shabby, right? With an aesthetic reminiscent of a young Kate Moss meets Helmut Lang, her label has quickly taken over the influencer scene, with pieces selling out in haste. Then again, that’s exactly what one would expect from an LVMH prize winner.
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Sohee Park
A ‘90s baby with an eco-conscious focus and a straight-up out-of-this-world creative vision, Sohee Park’s label, Miss Sohee, has in a mere couple of years amassed a star-filled following. And when we say “star”, we really do mean star: from Cardi B to Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande, they’ve all donned the South Korean designer’s looks. Now based in London, her design aesthetic could be best described as a mix between high-glam vintage and sculptural couture. Just look at the delicate embroidery work and crystals sewn into her garments, and try not to swoon.
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Thebe Magugu
Born in the small South African town of Kimberley, Thebe Magugu is currently based in Johannesburg, where he conscientiously crafts ready-to-wear collections that critique and comment on culture, politics and historical events. That being said, one of the brand’s main pillars is timelessness: the aim is to make pieces that can weather the test of time, and which people can embrace in their everyday life. The best part? Magugu makes fun garments for both men and women, so no one needs to feel left out.
Peter Do
Though the label bears the name of one designer, Peter Do is the result of life-long friendship, camaraderie and teamwork: It was established by Do along with his friends Lydia Sukato, Vincent Ho, An Nguyen, and Jessica Wu in New York City in 2018. Combining the individual talents and skills of each of its founding members, the brand has created a positive, engaging conversation in the fashion industry, and produced a line of immaculately tailored designs that will appeal to the young at heart who value versatile, long-lasting pieces. Think: Céline’s baby sister, made for the everyday gal. Our current faves? Their cotton jeans and Chelsea boots.
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Piece of White
A brand for the romantic yet unbothered woman, Turkish label Piece of White reinvents the classic white shirt every single season. Founded by Zeynep Tansung in 2017, it aims to reimagine quintessential wardrobe pieces for the modern woman, adding unique twists and details – and using only materials of the best quality. Ideal for anyone looking to declutter their closet and make everyday styling easy-peasy.
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Rokh
London-based label Rokh was founded by Seoul-born and everywhere-raised designer Rok Hwang, a Central Saint Martins graduate with successful stints at Céline, Louis Vuitton and Chloé, and winner of the coveted LVMH prize in 2018. His area of expertise and success as a brand lies in his mix of the feminine and masculine, such that every element of his garments is made to fit perfectly into the brand’s worldview and embody its values of uniqueness and individuality.
Paris Georgia
Models around the world have, for months, been spotted in their most highly liked Instagram posts sporting Paris Georgia’s stunningly sleek creations. Designed in New Zealand by friends Paris Mitchell Temple and Georgia Cherry, the label’s luxe fabrics and form-hugging silhouettes work together to celebrate women and femininity – the brand’s biggest source of inspiration. Heading straight for our wish list are their Diamond Singlet top and Heart Dress.
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A New Cross
This edgy Colombian label is led by designer Nicolás Rivero, who focuses first and foremost on sustainable practices and artisan techniques when designing and crafting his garments. Perhaps it’s the clean lines or the quality fabrics that make the brand so captivating, or maybe it’s the expert tailoring and enticing colour palette. Whatever it is, we can certainly understand why the jury (which included heavyweights like Haider Ackermann, Pierpaolo Piccioli and the now late Virgil Abloh) bestowed him the Fashion Trust Arabia prize in 2021.
Minju Kim
In a word, Minju Kim is fun. A lot of fun. In fact, it’s exactly what we think a modern fairy-tale princess would wear. You know, when she’s out singing and talking to animals and stuff. If that’s your vibe, you need not look any further for eye-catching accessories and gorgeous ready-to-wear pieces. And, as if her playful aesthetic alone wasn’t enough to convince, Seoul-based Kim is also the first winner of Netflix’s Next in Fashion.
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Steven Stokey-Daley
It’s 2022, just about time for men to get more options when it comes to everyday fashion. That’s what Steven Stokey-Daley is here for. A menswear designer based in London, his pieces have been worn (and popularised) by… drumroll, please… Harry Styles! More specifically, while looking incredible in his “Golden” music video. If you want to follow in the style icon’s footsteps, you can’t go wrong with one of SS Daley’s cosy vests or oversized shirts. A huge plus? He uses deadstock, donated and end-of-roll fabrics in all of his designs.
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Andrea Brocca
Honestly, we can’t help but swoon when looking at Italian-Sri-Lankan designer Andrea Brocca’s pieces. A fascinating designer, his debut collection was inspired by the golden ratio (he cites equations as often being more important than sketches in his creative process), and by Lars von Trier’s provocative film Nymphomaniac. Once called the “youngest couturier in the world”, the now 25-year-old is used to recognition, buzz and accolades, and his pieces have been getting the attention they deserve, with superstars like Lady Gaga and social media VIP Emma Chamberlain recently sporting his beguilingly ominous, architectural creations. Take a look for yourself.
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Adebayo Oke-Lawal
Cult brand ORANGE CULTURE is masterfully led by Nigerian designer Adebayo Oke-Lawal. A disruptive and visually striking label, it both celebrates Nigerian culture and fights against traditional gender stereotypes, creating pieces for everyone – whether you’re a he, a she or a they. Oke-Lawal began his pursuit of fashion at the tender age of ten and now, not even thirty years old, he has become one of the world’s most promising young designers, with all manner of glossies featuring his work.
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Charles de Vilmorin
No fashion-related list would be even half complete without a French couturier, n’est-ce pas? Charles de Vilmorin, creative director of French maison Rochas, launched his eponymous brand on Instagram right at the start of the pandemic, in April 2020, when he was just 23. A daring move, for sure, but it proved to be the right one: the young Frenchman has had nothing but success since. Take a look at his colourful, geometrical designs, and you’ll understand why.
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