In a Fashion Month with many established brands attempting to revive their houses via designer switch-ups and step-downs (and some labels just opting out of the fray in general), we can't help but look to the new names on the fashion calendar with grand expectations. When we wondered who the next DVF or Ralph Lauren would be, smaller, up-and-coming names came to mind. The same thing happened when someone asked which shows we were most excited for. Fortunately, the new class delivered.
From labels that actually understand streetwear (instead of just mimicking its greatest hits) to those that fulfill our undying craving for even more ruffles and femininity, these are the eight need-to-know labels that gave us a reason to be excited about the season.
Click on for the handful of brands that might just be the next big thing.
The label:BY. Bonnie Young
The need to know: Though Bonnie Young was a fresh addition to the NYFW roster this season, she's certainly no newbie. Previously, Young worked with Ralph Lauren upon graduation from Cornell and went on to work for Donna Karan for 16 years as both head of global inspiration and senior creative director of collection until 2007. Her debut collection has grown-up Free-People vibes, likely due to her sources of inspiration: “I was really inspired by nature, the South, Savannah, and the Victorian era," she tells Vogue.
Photo: Courtesy of BY. Bonnie Young.
The label:Misbhv
The need to know: One of the buzziest contemporary labels this past year, avant-garde streetwear brand Misbhv took off in Warsaw, Poland, and made its NYFW debut this season. It started as a T-shirt line for an inner circle of models, artists, rappers, and skaters, but has since developed to offer youthful mens and womenswear collections that feature sheer fabrics, low-slung cargo pants, edgy denim, merch-like basics, and retro details.
Photo: Courtesy of Misbhv.
The label:Etienne Derœux
The need to know: The French-girl style craze isn't going anywhere, but it is evolving, and leading the new wave of Parisian-cool fashion is French brand Etienne Derœux. The line's luxurious, yet wearable, minimal-sportswear pieces are grounded by a belief in transparency and traceable luxury. This season's collection featured everything from bleached Japanese denim to fine silks and lingerie-inspired knits — no stripes or berets in sight.
Photo: Courtesy of Etienne Deroeux.
The label:Mathys Sinclair
The need to know: Where looking cool meets being nice, you'll find new Sydney and NYC-based brand Mathys Sinclair. Founded by two Australians, Rachelle Sinclair (previous cofounder and designer of Australian label KHALO) and Thembi Hanify (previously branding and art direction at Rag & Bone and 3.1 Phillip Lim), the label showed its first collection here in New York featuring three buy-now-wear-now items in collaboration with artist Corey Wash. The duo's goal is to build a brand based on reality and positivity. This particular piece reads, "Stop creating unnecessary stress."
Photo via @coreywash.
The label:Area
The need to know: Area's unique fabrications, embossed-leather details, lucite accessories, and geometric add-ons create ensembles that are made to get noticed. Though the brand was founded in 2013, it just made its NYFW debut last year. It leans extravagantly showy, but never tasteless. We can see it creeping into all the indie editorials in coming months.
Photo via @areanyc.
The label:PH5
The need to know: Lovers of all things knitted, colorful, and striped, take note: New York-based knitwear brand PH5 is about to make its way into cool-girl closets everywhere. The brand's architectural and Instagram-worthy NYFW presentation showed off clever layering, saturated colors, and plenty of knitted wonders that require a closer look.
Photo: Courtesy of Angela Pham, BFA.
The label:Anniesa Hasibuan
The need to know: As the first brand to ever present a collection outfitted entirely with hijab, muslim designer Anniesa Hasibuan was a name to know this NYFW. Her richly layered and embellished collection, inspired by her hometown, Jakarta, Indonesia, was a win this season for modest fashion. We don't know about you, but we were feeling some major Gucci vibes from this colorful and intricately accessorized show.
Photo: Courtesy of Anniesa Hasibuan.
The label:Cinq à Sept
The need to know: We've already sung the praises of day-to-night brand Cinq à Sept, but it joined the fashion calendar this season with a romantic presentation at Dirty French in New York City. There, the brand tackled all the trends it's shown an affinity for since launching for pre-fall 2016. We saw visible topstitching, vintage-inspired florals, delicate embroidery, and plenty of wearable silk staples.
Photo: Courtesy of Cinq à Cept.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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