A Cool Fashion Stylist & Art Director Shares Her Go-To Brands

Aesther Ekme is one of my favourite discoveries for bags. Founded by Stephane Park, the brand deliberately takes the opposite approach to the traditional ‘It’ bag – almost no visible branding, very little unnecessary hardware and a focus on shape, proportion and how the bag actually sits against the body. The influence of Brazilian Brutalist architecture and Scandinavian minimalism really comes through. They’re incredibly understated bags but that’s exactly why I like them.

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THE PARK does elevated wardrobe staples really well. The focus is on refined silhouettes, beautiful fabrics and pieces you can layer and wear in different ways, rather than clothes that only work for one season. I love brands that give you the chance to build a whole wardrobe from one collection and this has that feeling – simple, polished and quietly luxurious.

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Petar Petrov does that combination of masculine tailoring and femininity so well. His signature is really about opposites – razor-sharp tailoring against fluid fabrics, strength against softness. I love how confident the clothes feel without ever becoming too severe. They’re investment pieces but ones that still feel sensual and incredibly wearable rather than precious.

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Colleen Allen is probably one of the most exciting newer designers I’ve come across. She previously designed menswear at The Row,and you can see that understanding of tailoring and functionality in her own work – although it’s mixed with something much more romantic and almost Victorian. I love that contrast: beautiful, feminine shapes alongside fleece, cotton and more utilitarian fabrics. It feels completely her own rather than following what everyone else is doing.

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Henne is an Australian brand that does those elevated everyday pieces you always want in your wardrobe. The aesthetic mixes Nordic minimalism, Italian influences and that relaxed Australian way of dressing, which probably explains why everything feels polished without looking too overdone. I especially love the tailoring, denim and simple tops – pieces that are easy to style in lots of different ways and don’t date quickly.

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If you love a good jacket, MEOTINE is a brand to know. Based in Copenhagen-based and specialise in outerwear, particularly leather, suede, shearling and wool. I love how they take quite classic shapes - bombers, oversized jackets, long coats - and make them feel current without becoming too trend-led. The palette is usually really wearable too, with lots of black, brown, beige and earthy tones.

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KALDA is an Icelandic footwear brand that doesn’t rely on logos or obvious details – instead, it’s the proportions and silhouettes that make them instantly recognisable. The boots and sculptural heels are especially good when you want something that feels directional but that will still work with a very simple wardrobe.

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Sydney-based Albus Lumen has always taken a very clean, intelligent approach to dressing. Founded by Marina Afonina, the brand has traditionally been known for its minimal aesthetic but its newer direction feels a little younger and more rebellious while still retaining that sense of restraint. It’s one of those brands where the styling, silhouettes and overall world are just as inspiring as the individual pieces.

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Cold Edges is a jewellery brand I keep coming back to because the pieces are so simple but the designs have a really strong point of view. Influenced by architecture, interiors and everyday objects – even things like a 1930s table clock or a 1960s teapot – the collections are so interesting. Everything has that clean, sculptural Scandinavian feeling and looks especially good against minimal clothes.

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