Who started it? Melbourne-based White Suede was founded in 2003 by fashion industry veteran Jacqui Demkiw. The Australian designer spent her early years in London working in a variety of behind-the-scenes fashion roles, including sales, production and marketing for brands such as Kookai and Stussy. Demkiw began designing one-off pieces to fill the gaps in her wardrobe, which led to the creation of White Suede upon her return to Melbourne. Fashion runs in the family, with Jacqui's brother, Nick, the brains behind trendy menswear label Autonomy.

Why we love it: Jacqui draws inspiration from the world around her, particularly architecture, as evidenced in the modern, sculptured silhouettes. The shapes are strong, with shoulder pads aplenty, but the clothes remain sexy and feminine.

What we'd pick: leather and lace dominate the White Suede autumn-winter collection and the leather biker jacket (below; HK$3,990) has all the brand's hallmarks, such as strong lines and shoulder pads. For something lighter, there's the Emotional Sky angora modal jersey tank (far left; HK$1,350).