Mongrels in Common

Who started it? Mongrels in Common is the brainchild of designers Livia Ximenez-Carrillo and Christine Pluess. The pair met at the Esmod School of Design, in Berlin, Germany, and were drawn to one another by their multicultural backgrounds - Pluess is German-Swiss and Ximenez-Carrillo Spanish-Peruvian. They founded the label in 2006 and were nominated for the German New Faces award in 2007. Their collections have been shown at Berlin Fashion Week for the past two years.

Why we love it: the brand's cosmopolitan style - which the designers dub 'mongrelism' - is a reflection of their ethnic roots and combined cultures and influences. The designs feature opposing elements - masculine and feminine, cool and elegant, casual and classic - while remaining edgy and avant garde. Fabrics include two-fold cotton from Switzerland and wool from Italy and Britain. This season, they have experimented with salmon leather, water-repellent materials and metallic glittering fabrics. Key looks for summer include masculine trouser suits, cut blazer dresses and draped silk cocktail dresses and tops. Slim-fitted trousers are paired with loose tops, playfully emphasising the back with geometric cutouts.

What we'd pick: the grey silk shift dress (far left; HK$6,780), which has a modern draped silhouette, is perfect for day or night. Or the corset dress (left; HK$18,000), made from satin and salmon skin.

Where can you get it? Mongrels in Common is available at Forest Bird, 39 Staunton Street, Central, tel: 2810 1166.