Not Your Everyday Label
Some of the most interesting labels don’t raise their voices. They let the craft do the talking. You’ll find them in niche corners and curated shops—never chasing attention, but always ready to stop you in your tracks.
E Nolan
In Melbourne, Emily Nolan built her label around a vision shaped by sociology and studio art. With over 600 Italian fabrics and Savile Row–inspired cuts, her gender-fluid suits carry an embroidered blowfly logo. U.S. clients find custom options through Moda Operandi.
Katharina Lou
The Ollyrose dress may have made headlines, but the brand’s heart lies in its thoughtful, handcrafted approach. Using deadstock materials and block-printed cotton, the inclusive designs reach U.S. shoppers through Revolve and Instagram Live. Every piece still begins in Melbourne, where Katharina Mildren leads the process.
ollyrose dress in Paris!! by @cassrwong
Arthur Apparel
Arthur Apparel relies on natural fabrics for each piece and partners with Balinese artisans who are paid above local wages. The label is discovered by fashion fans on Anthropologie and Rent the Runway. Olivia Row’s vision brings quiet confidence, masculine tailoring gently balanced by silk and easy silhouettes.
Permanent Vacation
These pieces may appear on Net-a-Porter and Farfetch, but their roots trace back to upcycled khadi and silk from saris. Though the name sounds playful, each garment is crafted with care. Created by a Paris–Delhi duo, the label avoids seasonal trends and releases collections based on evolving themes.
Scarlet & Sam
Before a full collection was available, one Instagram post sold out 20 tops in just 24 hours. That moment sparked Scarlet & Sam, a Melbourne label started in 2021. With adjustable belts and vibrant crocheted stripes, their unstructured fit now appears on SSENSE and Verishop.
Crochet Top | Striped Top 🌈 by WeiWei Wei
Emily Watson
Emily Watson’s swimsuits take shape in her Brunswick studio, even as her label gains global attention. Since 2020, her zero-waste methods and bold asymmetry have given rise to a distinctive look. Celebrity buzz followed, and her candy-colored designs now land on SSENSE and at Cafe Forgot in NYC.
Gregory
A fixture in New Zealand’s fashion scene for two decades, Gregory brings clean tailoring and striking silhouettes to modern womenswear. U.S. fans can order from the NZ site or Labels Designer Clothing, with dresses and separates typically priced between $389 and $649.
Penny Sage
Kate Megaw launched Penny Sage in Auckland in 2011 with a focus on timeless, slow-fashion staples. The brand uses locally milled wool and linen and collaborates with artist Marta Buda, known for her beautiful hand-dyed prints. You’ll find Penny Sage in boutiques like Somebuddy Loves You and Sully’s Wellington.
Auteur Studio
Since 2018, Auteur Studio has made its name in partywear under designer Lucinda Taffs. New York stylists were the first to notice its bold signatures—like animal prints and double-face crepe. Now, the label keeps evolving, with fans following the collection online as each new drop lands.
Tach Clothing
Tach’s llama-wool pieces include vintage-inspired staples like fringed trousers and embroidered cardigans. Founded in Uruguay in 2019 by sisters Patricia and Sabrina Tachdjian, the label works with local artisans and fair-trade groups to produce clothing that’s both nostalgic and responsibly made.
Tach Clothing Lucero Cardigan Review | The Lobby by The Lobby
Another Girl
Rooted in Liverpool and named after a Beatles track, Another Girl creates fashion with a conscience. Its vintage-inspired collections, crafted with organic cotton and recycled fabrics, are made for bold, free-spirited women. Find its dresses and knitwear—priced between $56 and $149—online or at select boutiques.
Georgia Jay
Soft forms, such as the Ombra and Torta, define Georgia Jay’s sculptural handbags. Crafted from deadstock Italian leather, they strike a balance between elegance and ease. Starting in 2017, Georgia Jay began producing each piece in New Zealand, where local production and limited runs remain central to her label.
Tyler McGillivary
Tyler McGillivary’s designs feel like memories in motion, drawn from nature sketches and early animation obsessions. She launched her NYC-based label in 2018 by building a world of bold prints and relaxed silhouettes. With gender-neutral sizing and direct pop-ups, she debuted at NYFW’s “Date Night” in 2025.
Marshall Columbia
Since 2020, Marshall Columbia has infused retro-futuristic fun into padded belt bags and hand-beaded Moonflower accessories. Doja Cat and Miley Cyrus were among the first fans. Now, the Brooklyn label is stocked by big names like SSENSE and Nordstrom.
Summer 2023 Must Have: Marshall Columbia Review| Buy or Bye Bye by Monique Destiny
Wynn Hamlyn
Wynn Hamlyn’s refined knits—tailored sweater suits and mohair cardigans—now sit on racks at Bergdorf Goodman and Nordstrom. From Auckland, he’s been quietly reworking knitwear since 2015. His menswear line, launched in 2021, builds on the balance of form and function.
NZFW17: Getting to know Wynn Hamlyn | Fashion Quarterly by Fashion Quarterly
Toile Studios
Nadya Kusumo launched Toile Studios in Melbourne in 2020 with a quiet refusal to follow fast-fashion norms. Her modular designs and detachable sleeves are crafted from OEKO-TEX certified cotton and upcycled denim. The made-to-order, zero-waste pieces are available online and through select boutiques.
Ginn.
Ginn. started in Sydney with a couple of designers who just wanted to make better clothes—simple, well-made pieces using what’s already out there. They work with local makers, stick to deadstock fabrics and natural fibers, and release everything in small batches so nothing feels wasteful.
Youkhana
Launched in Sydney in 2021, Youkhana made its mark with a debut at AAFW’s “One Of” show and later received Vogue Runway recognition. Known for its sculptural silhouettes and hand-braided closures in vibrant hues, the label by Nathaniel Youkhana celebrates bold, gender-fluid approaches to formal wear.
Sook Studio
Founded by a textile artist and stylist (Ash Kok), Sook Studio is a Parramatta-based creative enterprise known for textile art and curated vintage apparel. With no set pricing, it focuses on commissions and collaborations, and it shares its textile-driven work and vintage finds on Instagram.
Teshy
Teshy’s pieces range from $47 to $86 and arrive through The Epicurean’s curated platform. These smocks and vests feature button-tab details and are made from natural fabrics. Launched in early March 2023, with a debut on March 21, the label is a recent addition to Sydney’s minimalist scene.
Clea
Clea, founded in 2021 by Natasha Gordon in Melbourne, leans into sleek silhouettes and soft detail. Lace trims, sculpted knitwear, and a calm, refined aesthetic define the label. Every piece is made locally in limited quantities and sold at Liberty London and David Jones for $450 to $1,200.
Van Der Kooij
Melbourne’s Natasha Veenhuizen created Van Der Kooij in 2020 to offer gowns that make an entrance. Her signature foam-injected bell silhouettes feel more sculpture than fashion. Each run stays limited to under 25 pieces, a rarity that caught the eye of Vogue Runway and W Magazine early on.
Ree Projects
Ree Projects’ folded-gusset totes are simple, well-made bags priced from $263 to $481. They use eco-friendly leather from Italian family tanneries that meet strict safety standards. Amsterdam’s Desiree Kleinen started the label in 2016 to bring her clean, minimal vision to life.
Yuzefi
In just a few years, Naza Yousefi turned Yuzefi into a go-to label for daring, structured accessories. Since 2016, her designs, built from certified suede, have included shapes like the Mini Dip and Delila. Both now make regular appearances on Shopbop and MatchesFashion, where form always follows boldness.
Wandler
Elza Wandler made space for softness and structure when she introduced the Hortensia tote in 2017. Sherbet tones and Italian-made leather gave it distinction. The line has since expanded to include footwear, such as the Joanna slide, and remains available at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.
