10 Emerging Designers to Know Ahead of New York Fashion Week

Championed by industry insiders like T.A. luxury boutique owner Telsha Anderson and Black Fashion Fair founder Antoine Gregory, Theophilio is already becoming a household name. Jamaican-American designer Edvin Thompson makes contemporary clothing with an island feel and a Brooklyn heart. Between the brand’s one-of-one Family Reunion tees that made waves this summer and his selection of carefully woven knits, Theophilio has pieces for everyone.

Founded by mother-daughter design duo Akua Shabaka and Rebecca Henry, House of Aama creates timeless pieces that are inspired by the Black experience. The brand is produced entirely in Los Angeles, giving it an undeniably laid-back appeal in keeping with the West Coast lifestyle. Think effortless pieces like billowy tops and wrap skirts with polished details that will have major lasting power in your wardrobe.

With more than 180,000 followers on Instagram, Kim Shui has attracted some pretty high-profile admirers. Her super-sexy party attire infused with intricate motifs is coveted by Hailey Bieber and both Gigi and Bella Hadid. The Y2K-meets-Bratz doll aesthetic and form-fitting silhouettes will undoubtedly propel the brand to the next level.

As inclusive as it is fashion-forward, the New York– and Shanghai-based brand Private Policy offers everything from sportswear to relaxed tailoring to party dresses. The brand’s founders, Haoran Li and Siying Qu, apply sustainability efforts that are at the forefront of the brand’s ethos, with a focus on genderless silhouettes and high-quality fabrics. One can also expect ample tactile finishes like open mesh overlays to amp up the overall sensory experience of each collection.

Social-Work is a New York–based brand founded by Chenghui Zhang and Qi Wang that specializes in cool clothes with a distinct downtown feel. Combining Chinese design elements like utilitarian silhouettes with Western details, each collection brings a human touch to the design and production process. Doing its best to shine light on the “overlooked” in the industry, the brand offers a level of much-needed transparency with a database on its e-commerce site that charts who makes the pieces and how many hours each one takes from start to finish.

As the name suggests, emerging brand Puppets and Puppets designs clothing that presents a playful take on doll-like silhouettes. From Marie Antoinette–inspired minidresses with Baroque prints to playful accessories like its viral cookie and pomegranate bags, the brand doesn’t take itself too seriously (aside from its focus on using upcycled deadstock materials) and in turn is putting the fun back in fashion for the new season.

A prime example of how fashion and art coincide, contemporary label LRS is all about concepts coming to life. From the bold motifs directly inspired by art photography to unexpected takes on classics like the jean jacket and blazer, each piece is designed to stand out. The brand was created by Mexican designer Raul Solis, who has strong industry experience—he created denim for Proenza Schouler—under his belt.