Net-a-Porter has it all. From shoes to bags to jewelry to dresses, it’s a no-fail way to shop for the most up-to-date luxe fashion. It’s heaven for fashion junkies like us. Who among us hasn’t spent a lazy Sunday down the Net-a-Porter rabbit hole after just wanting to check for one thing?
Just when you thought the site couldn’t get any cooler, it goes ahead and sets up an incubator for new designers. Net-a-Porter scouts the top talent then works with these designers to nurture the new brands by providing mentoring and marketing support. It’s called The Vanguard. The inaugural class of Fall/Winter 2018 had four fabulous designers, and a new group of four up-and-comers has just been announced for Spring 2019. Ready for the next big thing? Let’s meet them.
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Net-a-Porter Incubator
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Les Rêveries
Based in New York, sisters Ai Ly and Wayne Lee couldn't find a dress they wanted to go out in, so they decided to make one. They now make feminine and sophisticated dresses that mix effortlessly with sweatshirts and turtlenecks for a look that's all their own. The knitwear is emblazoned with phrases like "L'Amour L'Emporte" (Love Wins). So it seems, as we are loving this sister act and getting lost in our daydreams trying to decide which one to buy. This Floral-Print Silk Crepe de Chine Maxi Dress is $645 at Net-a-Porter.
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Souliers Martinez
Julien Martinez mixes Spanish and French influences to make these killer handwoven mules and pumps. In 2013, inspiration hit when Martinez saw craftspeople practicing the art of hand lacing in a workshop in Alicante, Spain. That hand lacing is now his trademark, which he mixes with unique details like fluted or stacked heels. This pair of Sevilla 65 Woven Leather Pumps, $570, are inspired by glamorous Spanish actresses and feature a fluted gold heel in addition to the handwoven chamomile colored leather.
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Gu_de
Korean designer Ji Hye Koo has made his debut on Net-a-Porter with bags that really are very "good," which is how you pronounce the label's name. The crocodile pieces are inspired by the 70s, but the clean lines and chain straps are unique to the present. Each bag is expertly crafted — it takes two months to design one. The Demi-Lune Croc-Effect Leather Shoulder Bag, $825, features card slots inside, so you're not messing with the shape of the purse by holding a wallet in it.
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Peter Do
Peter Do is defining his eponymous label with avant-garde cuts and menswear-inspired pieces that are sexy and glamorous. Sculptural silhouettes and unexpected construction are the norm, adding high-quality fabrics for the win. He says this collection was inspired by "the iconic black and white photographs in Irving Penn's 'Small Trades' series." This stunning Asymmetric Plissé-Crepe Wrap Mini Skirt, $1,230, is a revelation layered over jeans or swirling around bare legs.
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Anne Manns
The sculptural and organic shapes of her jewelry are what set Anne Manns apart. Based in Italy and Berlin, she is inspired by nature, sculptures and women. Her Aubergine and Pea collections for Net-a-Porter are feminine and daring and she says her jewelry is "made to look good on or off the body." The Eadie Silver and Gold-Plated Cuff, $760, is handmade in Germany and winds gently around your wrist.
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Ratio et Motus
New York-based designers Angela Wang and Daniel Li are making bags that are at once classic and fresh, sustainable and ethereal. Their name is Latin for sense and emotion and traversing that line is just what the brand is all about. (Does that explain our longing for these classic yet trendy purses?) This Sister Leather Tote, $995, is effortlessly cool.
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Commission
Jin Kay, Dylan Cao and Huy Luong were inspired by their working mothers' corporate fashion in the 80s and 90s in Asia. The line is playful yet beautifully tailored. The brand's Fanny Twill Skirt, $995, has an unexpected twist: a built-in fanny pack. The vintage influence is updated with cinched waists and motorcycle-style cut jackets.
