WOMENSWEAR LABELS TO WATCH

BRANDS

NOUS ETUDIONS

Nous Etudions is a minimalist brand launched by Romina Cardillo in 2014. After graduating from Universidad Argentina de la Empresa she founded Group 134, the first vegan label in Argentina, before creating Nous Etudions, which made its international debut at Milan Fashion Week as part of Vogue Italia/ Yoox’s ‘Next Green Talents’ scouting program in 2018. This sustainable, fully vegan brand is defined by deconstructed tailoring, oversize proportions, a monochromatic color spectrum, gender-fluid approach, functional designs and handcrafted textiles. It uses a unique biotextile from kombucha and other exclusive materials developed together with Franco Nencini. The S/S20 collection is inspired by the snowy landscapes of Argentine Antarctica, featuring crystalline white puffer coats, graphic rose petal jackets and blazers from paper-like, wrinkled fabric reminiscent of the cracked surfaces of mountaintop glaciers and icebergs. The brand is sold online through its own website, Yoox and HLorenzo. www.nousetudions.com

LUNA DEL PINAL

Luna Del Pinal was founded by Guatemala-born, London-based duo Gabriela Luna and Corina del Pinal. After graduating from Istituto Marangoni and Royal College of Art respectively the textile designers worked with brands like Gareth Pugh, Christopher Kane and JW Anderson. Their project was conceived while in Guatemala, where they learned the ancient art of backstrap weaving. Luna del Pinal supports indigenous crafts by employing local artists in Guatemala to create ethical, handmade garments. Following a successful trial launch during Paris Fashion Week A/W 2016, Luna Del Pinal quickly gained recognition for creating authentic slow fashion. In the A/W 2019 collection the brand offers coats and jackets with an elegant kimono feel, new hand-woven fabrics and T-shirts upcycled from pre-existing textiles. The label is available at selected retailers and concept stores including Oroboro (New York), ZAK.IK (Mexico), PNP (Florence), and online at Yoox and their own e-commerce. www.lunadelpinal.com

RECLOTHING BANK

Reclothing Bank is a social enterprise and brand. The brainchild of Chinese designer Zhang Na – also the founder of the celebrated label Fake Natoo, winner of the International Woolmark Prize Asia regional final in 2014/15 – it was conceived of as a way to explore new concepts in the fashion industry like public welfare, creative research and development, and new and collective retail systems. Zhang collects second-hand garments and unused textiles and turns them into clothes showcased at events like Shanghai Fashion Week. Her signature style includes elegantly oversized deconstructed silhouettes, patchworks of multiple fabrics with diverse surfaces that give her garments a unique tactility, and an eclecticism that runs through her presentations, for which she uses ‘ordinary’ people as well as – or instead of – professional models. As well as inspiring the fashion crowd her collections help to fund training her staff, many of whom have a physical disability. www.fakenatoo.net/rchome