SL’s Senior Fashion Editor Shares Her Latest Brand Discoveries
LU • CIEE
Conscious brand Lu-Ciee encapsulates that feminine and laidback luxury that Australian brands do so well. Founder Lucie launched the business mid-pandemic, with the aim of providing livelihood opportunities for artisans in Bali, as well as creating conscious styles made from natural materials. The result is clean design, subtle texture and minimal detailing, all wrapped up in feminine, timeless fashion. The brand’s signature knit is the Berner Neck Sweater – classic and cosy, it can be rolled over or pulled up into a funnel neck. For lounging, there’s the Cecile cable set, and for one-step dressing, the Sade is endlessly versatile. Lu-Ciee’s sustainable credentials shouldn’t be discounted either – it only produces pieces on demand, plants trees to offset its carbon footprint and donates 5% of profits to communities in Bali.
Visit Lu-Ciee.com
CORALI
I’ll always love a simple gold hoop, but with an overwhelming amount of jewellery brands flooding the demi fine marketplace, it’s so refreshing to come across something so different. If you’re in the market for investment pieces that are little out of the ordinary, Copenhagen-based Corali is a brand to have on your radar. Founded by architect Caroline Sillesen – who holds a masters in fine art and architecture – Corali uses materials like solid 14-carat gold, sterling silver, pressed corals and saltwater pearls, to create jewellery that’s feminine and timeless. The Petit Rose range is divine. Having already been picked up by retailer Fine Matter, I predict big things.
Visit Corali.Jewellery
ELAOW
I came across ELAOW on Instagram and its small but functional accessories have since become indispensable. Offering subtle and understated crossbody pouches, which double up as a wallet and phone carrier, it’s a brand everyone should know about. While your phone fits neatly in the central pocket (you can also squeeze a lipstick in there) the leather fold at the back opens into a card holder. So simple in theory, the attention to detail and the fine Italian craftsmanship give these hands-free accessories a luxurious feel. For those days and nights you don’t want to take a bag with you, the tactile Shearling and glossy Metallic styles will do the job. The perfect fashion-function hybrid, ELOAW offers all sorts of other stylish bits, like phone and AirPod cases, lipstick holders and even retractable ski pass holders.
Visit ThisIsElaow.com
FRANCON EDITIONS
Francon Editions is one of those brands you can rely on for seriously stylish foundation pieces. When it comes to curating a contemporary capsule wardrobe full of elevated heroes, this brand has it all – great tailoring, directional knits, smart tops that work for the office and evenings out. A collab between creative director May Kaan and architect Kees Kaan, each design is a classic, signature silhouette treated with exceptional fabrics and attention to detail. The vanilla-hued Lauren jacket in faux astrakhan (a fabric designed to mimic the curly texture of a lamb’s pelt) would add some serious polish to anything from jeans to tailoring. Then there are the Harper and Alexis trousers, the Loulou top, the Lauren jacket… Let’s just say my wish list is long.
Visit FranconEditions.com
JEANA SOHN
My obsession with Jeana Sohn started with the Suvi shearling coat – a cosy, short and boxy style made from Australian wool and lined with faux suede. Once I’d moved past that, I discovered plenty of classic knitwear on offer at her eponymous brand – with details like exaggerated collars – as well as pared-back essentials like white and striped shirts. A Korean-born artist and photographer living in Los Angeles, Jeana takes her inspiration from Seoul’s minimalist aesthetic as well as LA’s creative community. Her brand taps into this effortless everyday style – whether that be an understated quilted jacket or soft, feminine tailoring in neutral tones. The only drawback is shipping and duties add to the total spend, but it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re ever in town.
Visit JeanaSohnStudio.com
ADVENE
Luxury and affordability don’t always go hand in hand but new bag brand Advene nails both. This New York import is ticking all my boxes – it champions a sophisticated, unfussy aesthetic, has all the qualities and design appeal of a serious designer bag, and is also sustainable. Everything is made by hand in a carbon-neutral facility in Venice using 100% traceable Italian leather and the pieces are available to buy at Selfridges. If you're looking for a unique, modern, mid-size bag, the Age bag is the hero style. It has a top handle with a triangular pouch that unfolds from a magnetic closure into an effortless bucket bag, and it comes in beautiful minimalist colours like nude, cream and black. Despite its compact appearance, it’s surprisingly spacious.
Visit AdveneDesign.com
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