These five independent brands, spanning the globe and offering pieces that stand out in a very crowded fashion industry, captured our attention in 2022. From a Ukrainian designer trying to put out collections during a war to an independent men’s label based in Los Angeles, read on to discover brands that should be on your radar. Sportswear, streetwear, tailoring: in Wardrobe. NYC, you get it all The label’s founders, an Australian pair in New York, realised there was a niche in the fashion market for people who are always on the go, but who still care about looking good. The result was pieces that act as building blocks, high-quality essentials that can take you from work to dinner and are go-to staples for any occasion. Rihanna’s a fan. Read more Fashion label Erl had a banner year. Its founder takes stock Eli Russell Linnetz, founder of Erl, came to fashion almost by chance – the label was born in 2018 after the filmmaker worked on a Comme des Garçons advertising campaign. A collaboration with Dior, exposure from A$AP Rocky and winning a 2022 LVMH Prize award made this a big year for the label, and the executive mentoring that comes with the LVMH Prize will allow Erl to tell “bigger stories”, its founder says. Read more Doing it for clicks: TikTok is making plastic surgery normal. That’s not OK Nensi Dojaka explores interplay between sensuality and strength Nensi Dojaka’s lingerie-inspired designs for her eponymous label, which explore the balance between sensuality and “making women feel empowered”, have earned a celebrity following, having been worn by the likes of Zendaya and model Emily Ratajkowski. The designer’s new capsule wardrobe for French luxury retailer 24S.com reinforces that aesthetic and is inspired by Parisian femininity and light, she says. Read more For this Ukrainian fashion designer, giving up was never an option Working from Germany, where she moved with her family to escape the Ukraine war, Julie Paskal is still producing and delivering her clothes, despite challenges. Her label Paskal’s spring/summer 2023 collection consists of colourful dresses and tops in bright colours embellished with bows that almost look abstract. Read more ‘I feel lucky,’ says Miss Sohee founder, who’s definitely not a K-designer Miss Sohee, or Sohee Park, is taking the world of fashion by storm – stars such as Miley Cyrus, Cardi B, Blackpink and Gigi Hadid have all worn her creations. The London-based Korean designer is behind this year’s Christmas tree at London’s V&A museum and her work is featured in an exhibition in Hong Kong. Read more