ONES TO WATCH

THE HOTTEST DESIGNERS FOR 2019

From anime-inspired girliness to impossibly cool swimwear via boundary-pushing menswear, there’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to new designers this year. These are just some of the names that have us sitting on the edge of our seats, waiting for their next move.

Shushu/Tong

The brainchild of Liushi Lei Yutong Jiang, Sushu/Tong won over fashion industry press and buyers following their runway debut late last year. For Sushu/Tong, each season tells a different girl’s story crafted like a novel or anime, but with fashion telling the story rather than words. Taking inspiration from anime, specifically puff-sleeved school girl Sakura, Sushu/Tong’s beautiful girlish creations are crafted through the female gaze, sparking thoughts of adolescence and nostalgia. Saccharine bows, ruffles, scalloped edges and the use of gingham make for gorgeously feminine pieces, that, Lei says, much like the daring heroines that inspired them, women will wear “for themselves, not for men, or anyone else.”

Kirsten Ley

Having made waves at New York Fashion Week, 2019 is set to see Canadian couture designer Kirsten Ley impress the fashion world even more. Manipulating materials in near-impossible ways – playing with thick leather to imitate the lightness of organza or managing to make chiffon tough as it holds hard structures. Blending hard-tailoring with soft femininity, Ley creates works of art in her designs. With an upcoming move to Paris, watch this space for Kirsten Ley’s inevitably exciting next steps.

Colville

When three incredible names in the fashion industry come together, of course, it’s going to be magic. So, as expected, when Vogue alumni Lucinda Chambers teamed up with veteran Marni design directors Molly Molloy and Kirstin Forrs, sparks flew. With Colville item coming in limited quantity, a handwritten number in each label, they resemble pieces of art almost as much as they do items of clothing. But even more special about Colville is the desire to act as an antithesis to fast fashion. The pieces transcend seasons, adding to your wardrobe for the long run with pieces that will be taken forward from season to season. Look out for how Colville will reinvent styles for 2019.

Namacheko

A thrilling new name in menswear, Namacheko is run by brother-sister duo Dilan and Lezan Lurr. What’s perhaps most exciting about Namacheko is the huge breadth of influences. From their Swedish upbringing and Kurdish heritage, to Islamic artworks, political events like Kurdistan’s 2017 independence referendum and Tarkovsky’s Solaris, they blend politics, art and culture to create exquisite designs that are both fascinatingly contemporary and perfectly wearable. Finding themselves in 38 retailers by April last year (just a year after their launch) Namacheko are spiralling into the forefront of the fashion industry, and deservedly so.

Anemone

While summer holidays may feel like a world away, it’s definitely time to start getting excited about them with the hottest new swimwear brand, Anemone. Founded by Lauren Arapage and Joshua Shaub, the collection is inspired by 90s Kate Moss. More specifically, a singular image of Kate wearing a minimal pastel yellow slip dress that cropped up on both of their moodboards. Taking inspiration from that dress, the super cool swimwear boasts clean lines and seamless style with hand-embroidered detail. Made to look just as dreamy under jeans or shorts as they do on the beach, Anemone is filling the Eres-shaped hole in our hearts.