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100 Independent Fashion Brands To Support Now And Forever
If you're considering shopping during the national lockdown
Back in April 2020, in the early weeks of national lockdown in the UK, we put a call out on Instagram seeking nominations for the very best, smartest and coolest of independent fashion brands, and we received a torrent of amazing suggestions.
From the thousands of suggestions, we collated a 100-strong list of incredible independent brands.
Almost a year on, it's time to look at that list again and give renewed focus to these incredible fashion business.
So, if you're considering treating yourself or a friend for their locked-down birthday, we ask you to spare a thought for the small, independent clothing brands and boutiques that are likely to struggle the most during these uncertain times.
So go on, show these 100 businesses a little bit of light in dark times.
Megan Crosby
The entire ethos behind Megan Crosby’s brand is that it is ‘for women who love fashion but hate the impact it has on the planet.’ And she does an amazing job at fulfilling this as a one-woman design team working from her home studio in Portsmouth.
All stock is made-to-order, and all the fabrics used come from sustainable sources, mostly small business, all of which are based in the UK. Megan, a fashion design graduate, has a clear message for her shoppers: ‘Only buy what you love and think will really make great, well loved, additions to you wardrobes.’ Inspired by slow fashion, she hopes she can make a positive change to the industry. ‘Making positive, impactful change in the world is more important now than it ever has been,’ she says about the current situation.
Olivia Annabelle
Founded by Manchester fashion designer Olivia Welsh and co-run by Hattie Matthews, Olivia Annabelle doesn’t follow fast-fashion trends.
‘In a world of throwaway overproduced fast fashion, we’re striving for more sustainable production methods and materials. We plan to source more natural fabrics for our future collections,’ says Welsh.
Each collection is themed – from Little Women to the Bloomsbury Group – with playful prints and feminine silhouettes as a staple feature. Clothing sizes are limited, but accessories make up a large part of collections.
Lara Intimates
For those struggling to take your sustainable ethos all the way to your underwear, then Lara Intimates is for you. Using deadstock material, the brand makes comfortable bras and pants ethically, and with a reasonable price point.
'Lara Intimates exists to celebrate women. We make products that fit and flatter, provide job opportunities to makers in London and empower all women that believe in a sustainable fashion future', they told ELLE UK.
'We want to offer women around the world bras and underwear made with sustainability and ethics in mind. Our products are soft, comfortable, beautiful and size inclusive.'
Studio B
‘Spring in your step’ is the latest update on Studio B’s website. A one-woman business run by Bethany Rowntree (and her whippet Mabel), Studio B is a curated retail platform that stocks independent, niche and new brands.
Bethany works mostly with a mix of Danish and small British independent brands, as well as two European jewellery designers. ‘Buy less, love more’ has always been her ethos for the platform, ‘with the aim that each piece means something to someone and will stand the test of time’.
You’ll find pieces on Studio B that are premium and yet attainable, with great layers for winter and spring as well as items that can be dressed up or down. Look out for a new collection of linen dresses and white feather party PJ set from luxury label Sleeper.
HADES
Want classic knitwear to last a lifetime? HADES has a team of four in Hawick, Scotland, which crafts 90% of its pieces. Its statement alphabet jumpers and other knits are made from pure wool, making them long lasting, natural and oh-so-soft.
Sizes range from XS-XL, and collections are produced in small quantities to avoid waste. ‘Mindless consumption is ruining the fashion industry, the pressure to endlessly churn out more commercial collections is being prioritised over creativity and quality,’ says founder Cassie Holland.
Nude Ethics
Based in Cornwall, Jessica Bailey’s independent store stocks the brand’s organic cotton tees and original paintings, as well as clothing by OffOn and jewellery by ARCA – both small ethical brands.
Bailey says: ‘Wear something honest, or wear nothing at all: Nude Ethics focuses on ethically crafted pieces from those that want to make a difference.’ T-shirts, in sizes XS to XXL, are manufactured by Earth Positive, then elegant line drawings are embroidered on using wood-pulp thread or screen-printed using water-based inks in Bailey’s Cornwall studio.
Hayley Scanlan
The contemporary womenswear label, based in Dundee, releases limited collections in XS-XL for the ‘strong, forward-thinking, aspirational woman’.
Twice-named Scottish Young Designer of the Year, in 2020 Scanlan appeared on Netflix’s Next In Fashion, and continues to design made-to-order pieces from her Scottish studio. The brand has a zero-waste policy, as Scanlan explains: ‘I always find a use for fabric scraps and waste, turning them into zero waste bustiers, bags and accessories.’
Bill Skinner
The small jewellery brand, based in Kent, creates whimsical collections as well as bespoke pieces and leather accessories.
Before starting his eponymous company, designer Bill Skinner previously worked with brands including Van Cleef & Arpels, Asprey and Vivienne Westwood.
Signature pieces include hand-painted floral initial pendants and the queen bee collection, and prices start from around £15. ‘The unconventional and interesting are often the most beautiful and admired,’ says Skinner.
CHiLLi
This inclusive Manchester-based brand offers bespoke lingerie in sizes ranging from 4 to 24, making each order specific to your measurements for the perfect, personalised fit. From leopard print bralettes to floral mesh thongs, these affordable sets will only cost £35 for a matching combo, with free postage and packaging on orders over £30.
Founded by two sisters, Aphra and Freya, who want to inspire ‘self-acceptance, self-love and body positivity’, they challenge you to look yourself in the mirror and say, ‘I look good, I feel sexy and my body is perfect the way it is’.
Subscription boxes are coming soon and though their SS20 collection shoots has been delayed, they’re using isolation to develop some even more exciting additions. Watch this space.
CONSCHES
Designed and produced sustainably in Austria, Cornelia leads a small team creating loose fitting cotton dresses, flamenco-inspired wrap skirts and an array of personalised comfier clothes, perfect for all this indoor action. On size S-XL sweatshirts and t-shirts, natural yute bags and makeup bags, you can get words of your choosing embroidered in bright spring colours including rose pink and orange.
Handmade in Vienna, their colourful earrings range from curtain tassels to freshwater pearls and all come in plastic free packaging. Shippings are being made daily and currently there is no huge delay. Invest in personalised gifts for you or a friend, and make the consches choice.
Cabrini Roy London
A newly launched business offering a made-to-order service that creates ‘bold silhouettes whilst staying true to [their] minimal style’.
Founded and run solely by Cabrini Roy, the daughter of two NHS nurses, from her London studio.
A London College of Fashion graduate, she aims to ‘empower through her pieces [by] setting your own trends with no boundaries’. By sourcing materials from locally owned fabric shops, she is encouraging a cycle of small companies supporting each other. Cabrini is committed to creating an ethical and transparent supply chain only buying fabric once an order has been made to reduce waste. Follow @cabriniroy on instagram for updates on her latest designs.
Cloud + Clay
Designed and handcrafted in Staffordshire, this one-woman business offers polymer clay jewellery in pastel shades from pink and blue speckled clay hair clips, to daisy print drop earrings, gold plated rings to two-tone pendants.
Looking for individuality? No two pieces are ever the same in size or pattern.
Lucy takes custom orders from her website, as well as selling on ASOS marketplace and select independent boutiques (when they’re open). You can order a gift card if you want to support now and decide later, or why not send one to a struggling friend as a ‘pick me up’?
As with all the other brands, hygiene has been made a top priority throughout every step of production.
Hidden Beneath
A slow fashion ethos is at the heart of Hidden Beneath, a minimal underwear brand handcrafted in the UK. With every product made-to-order and all packaging compostable to reduce waste, your conscience can rest easy with every purchase.
For women, fishnet bralets are made from British-sourced fabrics and softer organic cotton ribbed high rise pants can be matched with coordinating suspenders. For your guy friends, boxer briefs are made from (notoriously soft) bamboo and there are cheeky jockstraps and thongs to get isolation heart rates pumping.
Kate can customise orders for individual body types, so drop her an email if you have specific measurements or want thicker elastic straps with any design.
‘Ignoring the little guys will have a knock effect not just to the economy, but to creativity and progression,’ says Kate of small businesses during the lockdown. ‘It's the economy's equivalent of losing bees.’
Bethany Williams
Stocked at Farfeth and Browns, this is gender-neutral fashion with a strong social and environmental conscience. East London designer Bethany Williams works collectively with community projects and social enterprises to create collections made from recycled and organic textiles. It’s not only her small business, but also those she collaborates with that have been hit hard by the current pandemic.
‘We are extremely worried about vulnerable communities in London that we support,’ says Bethany. ‘Especially the Magpie Project in Newham, which supports homeless families in London.’ Her debut collection at London Fashion Week was called ‘Women for Change’ which involved her working closely with female prisoners. Bethany, whose known for her colourful and playful designs, is one of the most pioneering fashion designers working at the moment.
Jiya London
This mother and daughter duo create contemporary Asian jewellery and accessories to prove that the style can be worn both day and night, not just as costume statements in the evening.
Sold exclusively on Instagram, Puja and Jayshree are making Asian jewellery more accessible, from their £35 Shreeya gold and green stone earrings with pearl clusters, to sterling siver and gold plated bangles from £40.
Made in India, but sent from their Essex home, you’ll receive a handwritten thank you note with every order. Why not stock up in preparation for your isolation release parties now and look forward to some positive post?
Denim & Bone
Breathing a new lease of life into vintage jackets, Denim & Bone, creates custom one-of-a-kind pieces in the UK. Each design is specially made for that individual using reclaimed jackets sourced by owner Daisy. During this time Denim & Bone will continue to create and produce pieces working as a one man band in the UK studio, shipping throughout the UK and Worldwide using no contact shipping methods will continue.
'99.3% of the total businesses in the UK are small businesses. When you buy from a small business, not only are you helping someone support themselves and make a living doing what they love but you are helping our economy and making it stronger for when we come out the other side,' Daisy Harkness.
With Nothing Underneath
The sustainable shirt label focuses on pared back tailored button-downs for women, inspired by men’s styles.
Designed to be oversized, the simple, well-crafted shirts are made from organic cotton, and sizes range from XS-L. Founder and designer Pip Durell says: ‘I’d rather people donate to aid relief for the crisis than buy something from me. However, I know that people have enjoyed having a comfy, stylish basic for working from home – if a With Nothing Underneath shirt can bring a bit of sunshine to someone’s day, then I’m thrilled.’ With prices starting from just £80, this wardrobe essential is made to last.
Ashanti Swimwear
Ashanti Swimwear is an African inspired swimwear line with culture that dates back to the ancient royal Ashanti Kingdoms of Ghana, celebrating women of all shapes and sizes by offering a wide range of shades and coming in sizes XS-4XL
A sibling run business, Co-Founder, Yasmeen invites all women to 'enjoy our culture of beautiful, bright kente prints. We believe every woman deserves to feel like the queen they already are and join our online community of Ashanti Queens around the world.'
Laura Ironside
A small, but perfectly formed eveningwear collection, Laura Ironside’s silk collections are exquisite.
Working with a small team of freelancers in Scotland, as well as from her atelier in London, Laura’s gold, black and cream dresses, camis and tops are bespoke, with ‘virtual’ fittings available via Zoom.
Made to measure ‘edits’ of clothes are small, because Laura believes in ‘quality over quantity, promoting a slower fashion cycle and more conscious consumption.’ Each garment is made in Britain, in 100% silk to the highest quality. And for the non-committal types, Laura’s designs are also available for one night only by way of a rental service, while off-cuts are used to make mini luxury accessories if you want to start small.
Lula-Ru
Don’t let COVID-19 take away your bikini fantasies, you’ve waited a year for this. Even if it means just prancing round your room in them, or stocking up for a post-isolation Brighton beach trip, newly launched Lula-Ru has you (un)covered.
Using ecosensitve Italian fabrics (sourced from responsible EUROJERSEY) all of these 1950s-inspired bikinis and swimsuits are made-to-last. Available in sizes XS - L (6 - 14), they’re double lined, seamless, fit supportively like shapewear and the buckles are even coated to stop them rusting and overheating in the sun. Personalise your set with various belts and colours on the ‘build my own look’ section, and choose from high-waisted to low-rise bottoms, one-shoulder to boob tube tops.
Zero waste is key, and as well as using reusable canvas bags as packaging, any leftover fabric is made into scrunchies. Head to their Instagram to see how you can style their pieces for non-beach moments and expect to wear these bikinis year on year.
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