We blame the Pantone colour of the year, Mocca Mousse, for the sea of beige muted tones that seems to be flooding the fashion market this season. While personal taste is subjective, and what one person finds boring another might see as a welcome return to classic styles or comfortable practicality, there is no doubt that colour has escaped us this season. Even though the maximalist trend is forecast to be making a comeback, it’s taking time to trickle through. To help bring some vibrancy to your wardrobe, style director Louise Hilsz has rounded up a list of brands still embracing colour.
olivia rubin
Olivia Rubin is a London-based fashion brand known for its joyful and vibrant designs. Founded by Central Saint Martins graduate Olivia Rubin, the label quickly gained recognition for its playful use of colour, bold prints, and modern feminine silhouettes. After working with renowned designers like Alexander McQueen and Dior, Rubin launched her namesake brand, channelling her love for colour and creativity into feel-good clothing. The brand's signature aesthetic often features rainbow hues, colour blocking, and whimsical patterns, bringing a sense of fun and optimism to contemporary wardrobes. Olivia Rubin offers a range of clothing, including dresses, knitwear, skirts, and outerwear, with an emphasis on inclusive sizing. The brand is committed to thoughtful production and aims to create timeless pieces that empower women to express their individuality through vibrant style.
Gem The Label
Gem The Label is an Australian fashion brand founded in 2021 by Gemma Irvine. Driven by a desire to counteract the fashion industry's negative environmental and social impacts, the label launched its first collection in 2022 with a focus on traceability and sustainability. Based in Sydney, Gem The Label emphasises made-to-order and ready-to-ship pieces, often in limited runs. The brand's aesthetic features whimsical and vibrant designs, with recent collections like "Dreamscape" showcasing unique prints and feminine silhouettes across dresses, shorts, and pants. Committed to ethical production and creating pieces that are both beautiful and mindful of their environmental footprint.
Variety Hour
Variety Hour is a Melbourne-based design studio that blossomed from the creative vision of textile designer Cassie Byrnes in 2016. What began as an exploration of fashion print has evolved into a textile-focused studio deeply invested in the artistry and technicalities of print design, using their products as the canvas. At the heart of Variety Hour is a commitment to crafting unique and enduring pieces. All of their vibrant prints are hand-painted by Cassie Byrnes, utilising mediums like gouache, inks, and markers before being digitised for their clothing and homewares. The garments themselves are designed with universally flattering shapes in mind, allowing the distinctive prints to take centre stage. Inspired by everyday life and diverse themes, from Australia's prehistoric era to tropical landscapes, Variety Hour's prints narrate stories that resonate with the brand's current experiences and the world around them. Eschewing fleeting trends, Variety Hour prioritises originality and aims to create pieces that become cherished staples, lasting beyond a single season. With a focus on local talent and ethical production, Variety Hour proudly manufactures all its clothing in Australia, collaborating with local artisans and suppliers to ensure high quality and minimise environmental impact.
Never Fully Dressed
Never Fully Dressed is a feel-good, female-founded London-based fashion brand established in 2009 by Lucy Aylen. Starting as a market stall, the brand has grown into a globally recognised label known for its vibrant prints, multi-wear designs, and inclusive sizing (UK 6-28, US 2-24). More than just a clothing brand, Never Fully Dressed fosters a strong sense of community, valuing customer feedback and actively involving them in their journey. Charity is also central to their ethos, with the brand supporting various causes through fundraising initiatives. Never Fully Dressed is increasingly committed to sustainability, focusing on creating quality pieces with longevity in mind. They utilise materials like recycled polyester and Eco Vero Viscose, implement biodegradable packaging, and have a pre-loved initiative to encourage a circular fashion economy. The brand strives to minimise waste by re purposing fabric scraps and aims for ethical production practices.
Gingham Palace
Gingham Palace is a slow fashion brand based in Madrid and hand crafted in Spain, dedicated to providing contemporary women with beautiful and sustainable garments, often featuring their signature gingham print. Founded by Maria, a Madrid native now living in Germany, the brand emerged from her appreciation for a simple gingham dress and a desire to create timeless pieces from natural fabrics in an ethical way. Gingham Palace embodies the values of family, craftsmanship, creativity, and sustainability. They focus on small production runs and a pre-order model, prioritise fair salaries, utilise natural and end-of-stock fabrics, and implement conscious shipping practices with CO2 offsetting. The brand aims to empower women to feel beautiful, stylish, and comfortable while supporting conscious consumption and a more sustainable fashion industry. Beyond their own creations, Gingham Palace also curates a selection of unique accessories to complement their clothing.
Gorman
Gorman is a well-recognised Australian fashion label, established in Melbourne by Lisa Gorman in 1999. Famous in NZ too, and known for its vibrant, colourful, and often quirky designs and collaborations with artists, the brand has cultivated a strong following. Gorman offers a wide range of women's clothing, accessories, footwear, and homewares, characterised by unique prints and a playful aesthetic. While Lisa Gorman stepped down as creative director in 2021, the brand continues to operate with a focus on original designs and collaborations. Gorman has also increasingly emphasised ethical and sustainable practices, including using organic and recycled materials and working towards greater supply chain transparency and fair labour conditions.
Leo Lin
Leo Lin is a contemporary Australian fashion brand established in Sydney by designer Leo Lin. The brand quickly gained recognition for its sophisticated and feminine designs, often featuring intricate detailing, luxurious fabrics like silk and linen, and unique, painterly prints. Leo Lin's collections typically showcase elegant silhouettes, including flowing dresses, tailored separates, and statement outerwear. The brand blends modern trends with timeless appeal, creating pieces that are both striking and wearable. With a commitment to quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, Leo Lin has positioned itself as a prominent name in the Australian and international fashion landscape.
DRAWN
Drawn is an Indian fashion brand established by Rhea Bhattacharya. Based in Gurugram, the brand focuses on creating thoughtfully designed and ethically produced clothing. Drawn emphasises slow fashion principles, producing small-batch collections with a focus on quality materials, natural fibres, and local craftsmanship. Their aesthetic often features clean lines, comfortable silhouettes, and a muted colour palette, reflecting a sense of understated elegance. With a commitment to transparency and sustainability, Drawn aims to create enduring pieces that are kind to both the wearer and the environment.
Lazy Oaf
Lazy Oaf is a London-based fashion and lifestyle brand established in 2001 by Gemma Shiel. Starting as a market stall selling hand-printed t-shirts, the brand has grown into a globally recognized label known for its bold, quirky, and often cartoonish designs. Lazy Oaf's aesthetic is characterised by bright colours, playful graphics, and a distinctive sense of humour. Their collections span clothing, accessories, and homeware, often featuring collaborations with artists and pop culture icons. With a strong emphasis on individuality and not taking life too seriously, Lazy Oaf has cultivated a dedicated following that embraces its unique and irreverent style. The brand is also increasingly mindful of its environmental impact and is working towards more sustainable practices.
We round up brands that are not!