On our waitlist
MANILA, Philippines - As the recent influx of foreign home stores (see: Pottery Barn, West Elm, Crate & Barrel) and High-Street megabrands (see: H&M, Pull & Bear) suggests, the retail landscape is still abuzz with the immediate “get” of fast fashion, fast everything. “New” will forever be king but too much of the same thing can become a little stale.
Remember when the advent of a local Forever21 resembled a full-blown retail game changer in our collective psyche? Over it. That was almost five years ago. It’s safe to say, the learned shopper has moved on from throwaway neon crop tops and Navajo-inspired jewelry. As a relatively cheaper alternative to then monopolizing Zara, Topshop and Mango; it was hotcakes-hot until Uniqlo set up shop two years later. From Muji to Miss Selfridge, Stradivarius to River Island, Vero Moda to Ever New, the years go by and the list grows ever long — trendy choices become near-limitless but brand identity becomes scarce. Between a rock and a hard place, YStyle posits the question; what’s a moneyed art-buying hipster to do?
With the rise of said moneyed Millennial — near mythical, but they do exist — and their slightly older counterparts, consumers are looking to spend on fashion that is a little less fast and a little more furious. As opposed to splurging on head-to-toe designer pieces for special occasions, modern premiums are set on pieces that cater to the everyday. The very definition of contemporary ready-to-wear — pieces that tap into the present zeitgeist without being a slave to trend. We’re looking to explore brands that bridge the gap between luxury and flat-out mass market. At a higher price point, individuality and longevity can be had. By investing in labels that deliver a stronger brand aesthetic and a luxe-take on quality control, you can have your cake and eat it too.
Here at YStyle, the world is our oyster and you don’t need to fly to scour the globe for labels that scream #NEXT.
Cos
Let’s be honest — with the impending launch of H&M in Manila, we’ve already looked past the ubiquitous Swedish teenybopper High Street retailer and moved on to dreams of its quieter stable-mate: Cos. Known for its thoroughly minimal and modern aesthetic, the label is deliberately season-less and favors style over fashion. The Cos aesthetic is recognizably timeless and classic.
Sandro
The rise of Parisian labels, on and off the High Street, began with the launch of Sandro in 1984. Built on a foundation of affordable Parisienne cool girl chic — think Breton stripes with sleek biker pants, fresh French lace dresses edged up with a leather jacket, the brand has come to represent the effortless le rock-‘n’-roll Parisian look. Hardly elusive in this day and age with 266 stores worldwide, the label is dominating the contemporary market and counts Emma Stone and Alexa Chung as fans.
United Arrows
With United Arrows, assortment is the name of the game. The label offers boutique fashions at reasonable pricing inspired by classic Americana. The company is classified into a multitude of different ranges and divisions, in-house brands and stand-alone diffusion lines, catering to specific consumers with particular needs. The design direction can be carelessly marked off as derivative but the attention to detail coupled with the quality of materials sets this label apart.
Hope
Hope is an expansive Swedish fashion label created in 2001. With over 220 points of sale all over the globe, the label has seen massive success in the contemporary product level with designers Ann Ringstrand and Stefan Soderberg at its helm. The look is decidedly utilitarian and raw, low-key and authentic. The inspiration is rooted in traditional men’s work wear and vintage uniforms with a visible connection to tailoring and function.
Maje
Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t the new diffusion line from stylist Rachel Zoe. Born out of a family business, the French retailer is the brainchild of Judith Milgrom — the younger sister of Evelyne Chetrite, founder of contemporary label Sandro. Launched 12 years after the success of their original brand, Maje exists as a contemporary counterpoint and caters to a more feminine and fashionable set of clientele. If Sandro is more tomboyish, with a masculine edge, Maje is resolutely bolder and dangerously sexy.
The Kooples
Cresting the French contemporary wave is The Kooples — named after the French way of pronouncing the English word “the couples” and forms the mythos behind the brand. The inspiration behind the label is a mix of ‘60s English fashion coupled with inimitable Gallic-chic. When borrowing from your boyfriend if dressing is your sort of fashion fantasy, this is the label for you. The ad campaigns feature real-life couples, and with its menswear cut slim and the womenswear affecting a boxy silhouette, the end result is design meant to be shared.
Altewai saome
The brainchild of Natalia Altewai and Randa Saome in 2009, the Swedish label Altewaisaome pushes the tradition of clean lines and monochromatic brevity in Scandinavian design. The combination of “simplicity and international high fashion” is their inspiration, according to the pair. The brand’s pieces are bold and affecting of a distinctive aesthetic, revolutionizing classic shapes with stylistic details and a mix of unique fabrics.
J.Crew
Under creative director Jenna Lyons and CEO Mickey Drexler, the cult of J.Crew is known to be all too real. Despite bottoming out in terms of the pricing category of contemporary labels, J.Crew sits atop the Vogue pantheon with Anna Wintour and FLOTUS Michelle Obama as stalwart fans. The label’s signature look is punchy yet soigné, quirky yet streamlined. An aesthetic that finds itself perfectly at home with Lyons herself — definitively, it is American sportswear staples laced with eclectic detail.
Mother of Pearl
Maia Norman heads the eclectic label by fusing art and sportswear to create a luxurious yet easy-to-wear take on London cool. With hints of a Valentino-esque aesthetic, Mother of Pearl collaborates with acclaimed artists each season to develop bold prints and color ways cut in luxury fabrications and embroidery. For fall/winter 2014, creative director Amy Powney found inspiration in William Morris and the arts and crafts movement.
AllSaints
Storied label AllSaints is a British brand that combines inspiration from music and fashion into a potent mix of edge and attitude. In a word, the inspiration is a little bit rock-‘n’-roll. With a 70-strong store chain, the brand is known for a signature aesthetic that is season-less and devoid of trend. A strong brand identity is the label’s key appeal. The look revolves around deconstruction and asymmetry with a raw edge.
