The chic, international fashion brands you need to know — and where to shop them in NYC.
Anita Dongre, India
The Mumbai-born designer with a penchant for bold beading and lush colors became an international household name in 2016 when Kate Middleton wore one of her boho maxi dresses to a cricket match. Although she’s had a smaller Soho store for her Grassroot line since 2017, she just opened a three-story flagship in May that sells beloved bridal, fine jewelry, ready-to-wear and menswear collections.
Oak + Fort, Canada
Known for no-fuss designs, this Vancouver line has been spotted on street style standouts including Jessica Alba and Blake Lively. Their delightfully stark Soho store highlights their mostly monochromatic pieces, including modern wide-leg pants, slouchy blouses and sleek-yet-sporty basics.
Twinset, Italy
Head to the Milan-based brand’s Soho outpost, which opened in November, for fabulous, floral frocks perfect for summer weddings and bright statement accessories. They’ve also recently started dabbling in formalwear; in May, megamodels Irina Shayk and Georgia May Jagger walked the red carpet in Cannes wearing custom-made gowns from the line.
MKT Studio, France
Flamingo sweater, $178 at MKT StudioCourtesy of MKT StudioInspired by the je-ne-sais-quoi It girls of the ’60s and ’70s, including Françoise Hardy and Jane Birkin, MKT gear is retro-rocker with a playful twist — think Patti Smith meets Mickey Mouse. There’s no storefront yet, but their pop-arty pieces are available online at MKT Studio and at Shopbop.
Primark, Ireland
Think of Primark as being like a European Forever 21 or H&M: You can get a tee for $5 and jeans for just $15! Their latest location opened in July at the Brooklyn Kings Plaza mall, and not a moment too soon: They don’t sell items on their Web site, so you’ve got to stock up in person. The great prices are worth it though, and you can go wild on supertrendy items for the whole family, from “Harry Potter”-inspired kids’ jammies to girly, brunch-ready tops.
Toast, United Kingdom
Kantha quilted coat in “Multis,” $315 at ToastCourtesy of ToastHusband-and-wife team Jamie and Jessica Seaton’s womenswear line aspires to what they call a “slower way of life,” with casual silhouettes made with practical-but-luxurious fabrics from all over the world, including Tuscan-spun yarns, Japanese indigo dyes and Indian textiles. Their wares are currently available online for a $10 flat-rate shipping fee to the US, but look out for their first New York store this fall.
Kowtow, New Zealand
100 percent ethical organic cotton chambray “Bausch” dress, $388 at Kowtow ClothingCourtesy of KowtowWhen it first launched in 2007, this Wellington, New Zealand, brand sold organic basics in neutral gray, black and white. Now they’ve branched out to bright hues and artistic prints, all made of sustainable, fair-trade and ethically sourced materials from all over the world. The pieces are available for purchase online and in 38 stores in the US, including Anthom (25 Mercer St.) and Swords-Smith (98 S. 4th St. in Brooklyn).
