Who started it? Designer Leslie Kouhana was born in Paris, France, in 1981. As a child, she worked with her parents at their clothing boutique, which ignited her interest in fashion. With a passion for drawing and a love of vintage clothes, she joined MJM Art, a fashion design school in the French capital. She interned at hip brand Maje and worked there full time after graduating. She later joined popular brand Naf Naf, travelling the world and assembling a strong network of manufacturers. In January last year she launched her own brand, Dress Gallery.
Why we love it: Kouhana's clothes are modern in spirit but have a feminine, old-world feel to them. She uses soft fabrics such as silk, crochet and wool, sometimes printed with unique patterns. The result is a line of contemporary pieces with vintage-inspired details. Silhouettes are loose yet flattering, with an air of Parisian nonchalance. This season look for dresses with ruffles and scalloped edges,
What we'd pick: the dresses that look like two separate pieces but are, in fact, one, such as the Cynthia (above right; HK$1,800) with black-lined pockets and a chambray skirt. The Club dress (far right; HK$1,690) in black and white is chic yet versatile.
