British fashion brands you need to know - Alina Reyzelman

British fashion brands you need to know

Get excited: now is the time of the fashion Brit-erati. From resurgent household names  to bright young things, these are the labels on everyone’s lips…

Bruta

You can’t wear Bruta without being admired. It’s almost embarrassing. But it’s because Arthur Yates’s embroidered and printed cotton pieces are interesting without being OTT, stylish but not too trendy. Now, the label has added blankets and caps to its jersey tees and viscose shirts, which this season are inspired by all things Italian, from Botticelli to Serie A. Find it at Liberty, Harvey Nichols and at bruta.eu.

Martine Rose

Starting as a menswear shirting brand, Martine Rose has turned to unisex dressing. And with more designers choosing to showcase men’s and women’s collections together, that timing is spot-on. Look out for extreme wide-leg trousers, classic shirts with a modern twist, moody colours and contrasting textures, from £158. We want the very cool reverse-logo sweatshirt. MATCHESFASHION.com

Le Kilt

Founded in 2014 by Samantha McCoach, granddaughter of a traditional Scottish kilt maker, Le Kilt has developed a rep as the coolest place for skirting. This season it’s heading down  a refined route we approve of. Crisp white pleats are offset by silky wrap blouses, lilac knits and ponyskin. There’s still a nod to clannish rebellion throughout the collection,  but this is grown-up dressing. lekilt.co.uk

Paul Smith

Smith’s signature suits have made him the godfather of tailoring. ‘They weren’t only for interviews or funerals  or weddings,’ he said. For spring/summer, the suiting comes oversized and masculine in shades of tan, pink, olive green and navy. Jet-setters should check out the non-crease Suit To Travel In. Made of high-twist wool, it springs back from scrunching and is available in turquoise, navy, damson and bottle green. paulsmith.co.uk

Self-Portrait

Central Saint Martins alumnus Han Chong’s mission is to provide womenswear that is as accessible as it is special. In other words: not too expensive.Cocktail dresses are where his label excels but the statement shirts, smart trousers and  lace skirts are welcome party alternatives. The bridal collection (for the ‘alternative bride’) offers ivory gowns adhering to Chong’s signature aesthetic of guipure lace and interesting cuts. Michelle Obama and the Duchess of Cambridge are fans. self-portrait-studio.com

Roland Mouret

The gruff, handsome Frenchman – adopted by Britain – celebrates 20 years since his first collection with a return to our catwalks this week. He’s dressed many a notable name, from Reese Witherspoon to Dita Von Teese; while the form-fitting Galaxy dress that became a sensation in 1995 can still be snapped up today (if you’ve about £1,500 to spare). This season, look out for tailored jumpsuits, classic pencil skirts and occasion wear. rolandmouret.com

John Smedley

Founded in 1784, the Derbyshire knitwear-maker is still the go-to for classic sweaters, but has now added fashion-led dresses and skirts into the bargain. It has collaborated with new London designers such as Ashley Williams and Claire Barrow, and there’s  a luxuriously slouchy collection coming from Joe Richards later this year. The array of colours in the main collection is astounding – there are 21 in some designs. For now, we’ll settle for a Daniella tee in Madin Yellow, please. johnsmedley.com

Margaret Howell

A stalwart of British fashion since the 1970s, Margaret Howell uses landscape-inspired fabrics such as tweed and linen, and her utilitarian garments stir something authentic in the soul. This season, colours are inspired by summer gardens – from shades of pink to deep camellia and rich, earthy browns. Diffusion line MHL also has a cult following, while an exhibition of photos for the brand by Alasdair McLellan (until 19 March) provides an extra excuse to pop into Howell’s London store. margarethowell.co.uk

Sophie Hulme

Satisfyingly boxy and endowed with metal hardware, Sophie Hulme’s love of menswear and military dress is evident from  even the briefest glance at her bags. Bright colours and charms make for a playful pay-off. Her relatively affordable pieces (bags from £250, charms from £45) have won Hulme numerous industry awards, and, in 2015, Samantha Cameron presented  a Hulme bag to China’s first lady, Peng Liyuan. Use one to inject fun into a corporate work wardrobe or for weekend gallivanting. In short: versatile. sophiehulme.com 

M.i.h Jeans

Ever wondered how to be one of those people who seems casually nonchalant yet stylish at all times? You need M.i.h in your wardrobe. Founded by Chloe Lonsdale in 2006 (yes, she is effortlessly cool), the label is rooted in the relaxed denim culture of the ’70s, but there’s also a carefully edited ready-to-wear to complement the breadth of jeans styles. This season’s collection is inspired by summer in Scandinavia; think slouchy knits, simple cotton dresses and striped jumpsuits. mih-jeans.com

Christopher Kane

North Lanarkshire-born Christopher Kane, who celebrated a decade in the business last year, has been a roaring success from his first collection to his most recent. Kane works closely with his sister Tammy and says that it’s strong women, like her and his late mother, who inspire him. After a spring collection that reinvented the Croc for fashion fans, he shows his a/w 2017 line this week. A revival of Kane’s iconic Devine bag, in blue, red, pink and yellow, will be available straight after the show. christopherkane.com

Emilia Wickstead

Sophisticated, elegant and charming are words we’d use to sum up New Zealand-born, British-based Emilia Wickstead and her label. The designs spin old-school glamour in a modern yet understated way, and her fans include Gwyneth Paltrow, SJP and the Duchess of Cambridge. Her latest collection is true to ladylike form, with delicate floral prints, pastel hues and lovely dresses among the highlights. emiliawickstead.com

Olivia von Halle

A former trend forecaster who couldn’t find sufficiently elegant silk pyjamas in Britain, Olivia von Halle decided to make her own (from £310) and has proceeded to create a successful brand that’s going beyond its original remit. This season sees her extend into non-nightwear, with luxurious tracksuits given the OvH treatment in plush silk-cashmere. They’ve already been spotted on the likes of Gigi Hadid and Rihanna. Von Halle recently opened a stand-alone store in London’s Chelsea, where you can try on the whole collection. oliviavonhalle.com

Rejina Pyo

With her bold silhouettes, graphic colourways and trend-setting accessories, Korea-born, London-based Rejina Pyo is a self-made phenomenon. If you don’t know her, you need to. With more than 60 stockists and counting, her coats are outstanding and her wide-skirted dresses on the money. She’s multitalented to boot:  she photographs her own collection and is the co-author with her chef husband of the award-winning cookery book, Our Korean Kitchen. But it’s the clothes we love most. Look out for her silver tinsel skirt and marigold slipper. rejinapyo.com

Cefinn

Cefinn may be the most anticipated launch of the year so far.  Why? Because it’s the label that Samantha Cameron has been working on for years, taking sewing lessons while she lived at No.10. Since Dave resigned last summer, she has created a 40-piece collection, priced from £100, that echoes the smart-but-not-too- serious style that she presented to the public eye. Anyone with desk-to-dinner needs will be grateful for co-ords comprised  of sleeveless tops and kick-hem midi skirts, polished but easy dresses and lots of tailored separates. cefinn.com

Simone Rocha

The Dublin-born designer who’s made London her home scooped the Womenswear Designer of the Year trophy at 2016’s British Fashion Awards. Having opened her London 18 months ago, she now has bricks and mortar in New York, too. Her spring collection was one of the highlights of last season’s Fashion Week, featuring puff-sleeved broderie-anglaise trenches and her version of a down-home welly. Maybe we can’t quite afford her dreamy tulle skirts (from £695), but we’ve got her canvas trainers and flower earrings on our wish list. simonerocha.com  

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/brands/17-british-fashion-brands-need-know-2017/