The fashion world is in constant motion, but every few years, a new wave of creative energy reshapes what we think we know about style. From sustainable innovation to genderless tailoring and sculptural silhouettes, today’s top up and coming new designers are transforming the global fashion landscape. Many of them launched their brands within the past five years and have already captured the attention of luxury retailers, celebrities, and fashion insiders alike.
Let’s take a look at ten of the most exciting up-and-coming designers redefining modern fashion right now.
1. Hodakova – Reworking the Future Through Upcycling
Photo Credit Hodakova Instagram
Founded in 2021 by Swedish designer Ellen Hodakova Larsson, Hodakova has quickly become one of the most talked-about sustainable labels in Europe. Her designs, built from repurposed materials and deconstructed garments, merge craftsmanship with conceptual artistry. Winning the 2024 LVMH Prize cemented her status as one of the top emerging talents to watch. Hodakova’s work speaks to a generation that values creativity and consciousness in equal measure.
Photo Credit Hodakova Instagram
2. Standing Ground – Sculptural Elegance from Ireland
Photo Credit Standing Ground Instagram
Standing Ground, created by Irish designer Michael Stewart in 2022, has taken the London fashion scene by storm. His architectural gowns, crafted with meticulous attention to form and flow, blend haute couture technique with a modern, minimalist edge. Stewart’s mastery of fabric earned him the LVMH Savoir-Faire Prize in 2024, signaling a strong future ahead for this visionary brand.
Photo Credit Standing Ground Instagram
3. S.S. Daley – The Poet of British Menswear
Photo Credit S.S. Daley Instagram
British designer Steven Stokey-Daley launched S.S. Daley in 2020 and has since become one of the most distinctive voices in menswear. Known for romantic tailoring, vintage influences, and a literary sensibility, Daley’s collections challenge gender norms while celebrating individuality. His 2022 LVMH Prize win boosted the label’s visibility worldwide, and his pieces now appear in major retailers like MatchesFashion and Mr Porter. He’s proof that theatricality and commerce can coexist beautifully.
Photo Credit S.S. Daley Instagram
4. Diotima – Jamaican Craft Meets New York Cool
Photo Credit Diotima Instagram
Rachel Scott, the creative mind behind Diotima, founded her label in 2021 as a celebration of Caribbean artistry. Combining crochet craftsmanship from Jamaica with refined tailoring, Scott’s collections radiate confidence and cultural pride. Her recognition as the 2024 CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year underscores her fast-rising status. Diotima bridges worlds — luxury and heritage, local and global — in a way few others can.
Photo Credit Diotima Instagram
5. Connor McKnight – Subtle Luxury with Soul
https://www.connor-mcknight.com/
Photo Credit Connor McKnight Instagram
Brooklyn-based Connor McKnight began his namesake label in 2020 after years in luxury retail. His minimalist approach blends quiet luxury with a deeply personal narrative of identity and refinement. A CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist in 2024, McKnight is redefining American menswear through timeless pieces that feel both wearable and meaningful. Think tonal layers, quality materials, and effortless sophistication.
Photo Credit Connor McKnight Instagram
6. Grace Ling – The Futuristic Minimalist
https://gracelingofficial.com/
Photo Credit Grace Ling Instagram
Born in Singapore and based in New York, Grace Ling launched her label in 2020 and immediately caught the eye of the fashion elite. Her 3D-printed accessories and avant-garde silhouettes fuse technology with sensual minimalism. As a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, Ling represents a new generation of designers embracing innovation without losing elegance. Her work blurs the line between art and apparel — a futuristic aesthetic grounded in precision.
Photo Credit Grace Ling Instagram
7. Fforme – The Art of Quiet Design
Photo Credit Fforme Instagram
Founded in 2022, Fforme is a New York label guided by former Hermès menswear director Paul Helbers. Though a newcomer, the brand has quickly made its mark with serene tailoring, impeccable draping, and luxury craftsmanship. Fforme’s collections reflect a refined, gender-neutral sophistication that’s earning attention from stylists and editors alike. It’s a label for those who appreciate understated perfection.
Photo Credit Fforme Instagram
8. Jane Wade – The Workwear Revivalist
Photo Credit Jane Wade Instagram
If office attire had a muse, it would be Jane Wade. Her brand, founded in 2021, transforms corporate staples into sculptural, fashion-forward pieces. Blazers become corseted, trousers flare with architectural volume, and workwear suddenly feels seductive. As a 2024 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, Wade’s momentum continues to build, particularly among young professionals seeking confidence in structured yet expressive clothing.
Photo Credit Jane Wade Instagram
9. Kate Barton – Sculptural Eveningwear for the Modern Era
Photo Credit Kate Barton Instagram
Kate Barton founded her label in 2022 with a clear mission — to reimagine eveningwear as wearable sculpture. Her use of innovative textiles and architectural draping gives her gowns a fluid, futuristic quality. A CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, Barton’s creations are now spotted on red carpets and editorial shoots alike. Her trajectory shows that American couture is alive and thriving in new hands.
Photo Credit Kate Barton Instagram
10. Presley Oldham – Fine Jewelry with Playful Spirit
https://www.presleyoldham.com/
Photo Credit Presly Oldham Instagram
Jewelry designer Presley Oldham entered the market in 2020, quickly becoming known for his whimsical yet refined creations. A nephew of famed designer Todd Oldham, Presley forges his own identity with hand-strung pearl necklaces and sculptural pieces made from recycled materials. His debut at Bergdorf Goodman and CFDA recognition prove that sustainability and success can sparkle together.
Why These Designers Matter
Each of these up and coming new designers shares one thing in common: a fearless approach to redefining fashion’s future. They blend craftsmanship with purpose, storytelling with sustainability, and creativity with commercial success. Whether they’re reworking old garments into art or using technology to sculpt new silhouettes, they’re pushing fashion toward a more inclusive, imaginative, and responsible direction.
For fashion lovers, investors, and industry insiders, these names represent the next big movement in design — one led by authenticity and innovation. Keep your eyes on them, because the next five years could very well belong to this bold new generation.
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