Individuality is becoming a lost art especially with fast fashion brands being carbon copies of each other.
In a world full of creativity and passion, I fear we have lost the plot when it comes to style. Trends have made it easier for people to look exactly the same. We’ve also started to see influencers dictate what’s trending in the fashion world, when in reality, their style is often just a different variation of the same thing.
All over social media, there are creatives who have started their own brands and are bringing a new point of view into the fashion space. They’re creating pieces that feel personal, different, and, most importantly, give people another way to express themselves.
I understand the appeal of shopping at Zara, Shein, and H&M. It’s affordable, accessible, and allows you to keep up with current trends. But building a wardrobe is better in the long run. Investing in better-quality clothing means having pieces that last longer, spending less time constantly shopping, and, most importantly, developing an individual style. All of these things are important to bringing creativity back into the way we dress.
So… I conjured up 10 different brands from around the world that put looking basic to rest.
Huelley Rose is a Japanese fashion brand founded by Huynh Hanh Nhi. The brand is centered around elegance, boldness, and feminine energy.
The brand creates pieces designed to make women feel confident and amazing in what they wear. Its collections feature feminine silhouettes, including corsets and flowing dresses, while incorporating details inspired by Japanese culture.
The brand demonstrates a balance of softness and structure and how feminine design can still feel bold and distinctive. If you’re drawn to flowing silhouettes and impeccable tailoring, this is a brand worth knowing.
Images: Huelley Rose
Laganini Studio, founded in 2023 by designer Angelina Georgia, focuses on creating meticulous, timeless pieces that make you feel good. The Spanish brand’s motto, “take it easy,” reflects the brand’s commitment to slow fashion and moving away from overproduction. Rather than encouraging the cycle of buying and throwing away clothes, Laganini Studio focuses on creating quality pieces designed to last.
The collection features silhouettes that enhance feminine shapes, unique patterns, and textured fabrics. Many of the prints have a desert-like feel, with cactus and earthy-inspired details. The overall aesthetic feels feminine but still cool, effortless, and laid-back.
Images: Laganini Studio
Sékï is a Nigerian leather handbag brand founded by Dolapo Disu and inspired by African culture and its vibrant heritage. The brand’s handbags are handmade using exotic leather skins and furs, with bold prints, vibrant colors, and unique shapes that make each piece stand out.
Sékï mainly focuses on smaller mini bags, making them an easy way to add a statement or a pop of color to a more neutral outfit. If you want to experiment with your style without completely changing your wardrobe, one of Sékï’s bags could be the perfect place to start to make a statement.
Images: Sékï
Auné, a London-based size inclusive brand founded by Xenab Lone, is a seasonless brand focused on slow fashion and moving away from the boundaries of traditional trends. The brand takes a more sustainable approach to fashion while wanting customers to feel confident, strong, and sexy in what they wear.
That confidence comes through in Auné’s designs, which feature sheer mesh, vibrant colors, lace, textures, and unique prints. The sheer pieces almost look like paintings on the body, making the collection perfect for someone who is comfortable in their skin, loves to show off, and wants to feel empowered through what they wear.
Images: Auné
Melira is a Nigerian brand founded in 2020 by Opemipo Ikuemonisan, who created the brand from her love of bringing her designs to life. The collections has a very girly and feminine feel, with frill detailing, peplum tops, and plenty of beautiful dresses. The designs feel like a mix between evening-wear and vacation wear – perfect for a special occasion or when you simply want to dress up.
Melira also offers made-to-order pieces, allowing customers to enter their bust, waist, and hip measurements so the garment can be made to fit their body.
Images: Melira
Hertunba, founded by Florentina Agu, is more than just a fashion brand. The Nigerian brand is built around beauty, strength, and storytelling, with each collection telling its own story through the garments. The brand is committed to protecting the Earth by minimizing textile waste while supporting and empowering the women, artisans, weavers, and tailors who handcraft its pieces.
The collections feature sculptural tailoring and unique designs, including garments with faces, stripes, fringe, and intricate beadwork. Each detail adds to the story behind the collection, making Hertunba a brand where the clothing feels like more than just something to wear.
Images: Hertunba
Kim Shui is a New York-based brand bringing an edgy yet sophisticated look to the runway. The brand embraces maximalism through bold designs, while playing with sex appeal without taking it too far. At the heart of Kim Shui’s vision is the American woman, using fashion as a way to start conversations, bridge cultures, and connect people. Its collections combine statement-making pieces with tailored elements, creating a look that feels confident, sexy, and unapologetic.
Images: Kim Shui
Amama Jewels is an Indian brand founded by Nikita Gupta, with a mission to create high-quality, ethically sourced jewelry that inspires and empowers through timeless pieces. The brand embraces maximalism while still keeping a lavish touch, giving its pieces just the right amount of statement.
While the jewelry is beautiful, the bags are what really caught my attention. They feature jeweled embellishments, unique shapes, and plenty of gold details that make them feel like wearable art. If you’re looking for a statement jewelry piece or a bag that will catch the light, Amama Jewels is definitely one to look out for.
Images: Amama
Tessa Faye is an American independent designer focused on handmade, feminine garments using vintage and deadstock fabrics. Her love for sewing came from her grandmother, who taught her the craft, giving the brand a personal connection to craftsmanship. Tessa Faye’s approach centers around timeless styles, quality, and sustainability, creating pieces that feel both thoughtful and personal.
The collection embraces femininity through beautifully tailored dresses, mini dresses, corsets, and fringe details. The silhouettes accentuate the body while celebrating a romantic, feminine aesthetic. If you love clothes that feel handcrafted and have a story behind them, Tessa Faye is a designer worth knowing.
Images: Tessa Fay
Ciclo is a lifestyle brand originated in Milan with its pieces handcrafted in Bangkok. Cofounded by Andrea Farris, the brand’s aesthetic reflects the designers’ backgrounds in interior and visual design, along with their passion for vintage objects and classic forms.
Ciclo creates everyday statement pieces that are easy to wear but still have something that makes them stand out. From fringe detailing and vibrant colors to unique embellishments, the garments have a fun and youthful feel without being too over-the-top. If you want everyday pieces that have a little more personality, Ciclo is definitely a brand to check out.
Images: Ciclo
