14 Emerging Fashion Designers to Watch in 2025

The fashion industry is no stranger to its iconic household names—those established brands that dominate red carpets, wardrobes, and Instagram feeds. But even in a world ruled by legacy labels, there's always room for fresh perspectives and unknown names (not for long). These emerging designers bring a fresh, distinct voice to the table, carving out their place in the ever-evolving fashion landscape.

From avant-garde, Victorian-age silhouettes to sustainably sourced collections, these designers will rightfully get their flowers in 2025, with Hollywood’s top celebrities leading the charge as their unofficial ambassadors. Now, it’s only a matter of time before their designs find a home in your wardrobe, too. Whether it's through a reimagined take on streetwear, a love letter to timeless elegance, or a commitment to ethical production, these rising stars are redefining what it means to be a fashion powerhouse.

Keep an eye out because these designers are just getting started, and their ascent is one you won't want to miss. Keep scrolling to meet the designers to watch in 2025.

Miss Claire Sullivan

Claire Sullivan, the creative force behind the emerging label Miss Claire Sullivan, is redefining modern couture with a nostalgic twist. Drawing upon couture history and blending it with a contemporary edge, her designs have quickly become a favorite among Hollywood's it-girls. From styling Addison Rae for the MTV VMAs to dressing global icons like Charli XCX and Kylie Jenner, Sullivan has made quite the entrance into the fashion spotlight. 

What began in 2021 as a personal project—designing pieces for herself and collaborating with artists and musicians—quickly evolved into a full-fledged custom couture house. Her intricate, bespoke creations caught the eye of editors, stylists, and A-list celebrities, establishing her as one of the most exciting new names in fashion. 

Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen

Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen is an artist and fashion designer redefining sustainability and craftsmanship in the fashion sphere. Based in New York City, Whalen creates sculptural garments using deadstock and vintage fabrics, reclaimed materials, and unconventional textures like porcelain and paper mache. Each piece is meticulously crafted in her Brooklyn studio, reflecting her commitment to intentional, slow fashion. Since launching her eponymous label in 2022, Whalen has gained recognition from major publications, including The New York Times.

As she prepares for her New York Fashion Week debut this season on February 10, Whalen is solidifying her place as one of fashion’s most exciting new voices. (It's in good timing, too, as the late 2024 film Nosferatu is inspiring fashion enthusiasts everywhere to embrace some gothic and Victorian-tinged silhouettes.)

Kari Vettese

Kari Vettese is the visionary fashion designer behind Vettese, the Los Angeles-based label that’s quickly becoming a red-carpet favorite. Founded in 2022, the brand has already caught the attention of style icons like Kylie Jenner and Charli XCX, and it’s about to gain an even larger audience with its  New York Fashion Week debut on February 7.

As a first-generation Italian-American, Vettese draws deeply from her personal experiences, weaving them into Vettese’s ethos of crafting luxurious, sustainable fabrics that accentuate and flatter the human form. Known for exceptional craftsmanship, the label specializes in dresses, tubing, and unisex suiting, with bold explorations of proportion, draping, and fabric manipulation. 

Ellen Hodakova Larsson, the creative force behind the Stockholm-based label Hodakova, is redefining luxury fashion through a lens of sustainability and storytelling. Founded in 2021, the brand is built on a deep admiration for traditional craftsmanship, transforming discarded materials into high-end, utilitarian pieces. With a commitment to honoring the past, while shaping the future, Larsson’s work breathes new life into forgotten objects, weaving narratives of time and history into every design.

Gabe Gordon

Gabe Gordon is a textile artist and designer redefining knitwear with his eponymous label, set to make its New York Fashion Week debut on February 6. Since launching his brand in 2019 and establishing it in its current form in 2022, Gordon has gained recognition for his intimate, hand-loomed knits that explore the delicate balance between comfort and discomfort. Each piece begins with the development of the fabric, using hand-dyed, sustainably sourced yarns from local mills. His skin-hugging designs, often crafted in earthy tones and marked by intentional distressing, evoke a sense of nostalgia and reflect the organic decay and evolution of clothing. 

Angelo Beato and Yamil Arbaje

Angelo Beato and Yamil Arbaje, the visionary duo behind LeBlancStudios, are redefining fashion with their thought-provoking designs. Founded in 2014 in Santo Domingo, the Caribbean-based brand serves as a platform for young people across the Global South to challenge and reshape traditional notions of masculinity and femininity. By fusing historical narratives and contemporary youth culture, LeBlancStudios plays with graphical production to craft a wardrobe that speaks to self-expression and cultural exploration. As they gear up for their highly anticipated New York Fashion Week debut on February 7, Beato and Arbaje continue to push the boundaries of identity and style with their innovative approach to design.

Alain Paul

Alain Paul, the emerging designer behind the label AlainPaul, brings a unique fusion of movement and fashion to his work, drawing from his formative years as a ballet dancer. At 18 years old, Paul transitioned his passion for self-expression from dance to fashion, pursuing studies in Paris and eventually making his mark in the industry. In 2014, he joined the pioneering design collective Vetements, working under Demna and Guram Gvasalia until 2017. His trajectory continued with an influential tenure on Virgil Abloh’s design team at Louis Vuitton from 2018 to 2022, where he honed his skills in blending luxury with streetwear aesthetics. In 2023, Paul co-founded AlainPaul with his husband Luis Philippe, bringing his ballet roots into the world of fashion through fluid silhouettes, precise tailoring, and an exploration of movement within fabric. 

Grace Ling

Grace Ling, the visionary designer behind her namesake label, is redefining modern fashion through a fusion of cutting-edge technology and timeless craftsmanship. Known for its signature 3D-printed metal pieces and sculptural silhouettes, the brand merges technology with traditional tailoring to create sophisticated, zero-waste designs. Ling’s creations have captured the attention of A-list celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, and Karlie Kloss. In 2024, Grace Ling's groundbreaking approach earned her the Inaugural CFDA x Genesis House Innovation Grant, as well as recognition as a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist.

Amari Carter

Amari Carter is an emerging designer to watch out for in 2025, dedicated to crafting high-quality garments with an unwavering commitment to detail and ethical production. Based in New York, Carter's philosophy is rooted in precision and sustainability, and the brand prides itself on producing meticulously designed, cut, and sewn pieces entirely in-house. This hands-on approach ensures that each garment meets the highest standards, reflecting the brand's dedication to excellence and integrity.

Bruce and Glen Proctor

Bruce and Glen Proctor, the twin brothers (and pastors) behind the vibrant fashion label BruceGlen, are redefining contemporary style with their bold, colorful aesthetic and deep-rooted storytelling. As Black designers, they focus their work on celebrating joy, individuality, and cultural heritage, infusing every piece with an unmistakable sense of optimism and energy. Known for a fearless use of color, BruceGlen reflects a shared vision of creating fashion that empowers and inspires. 

Cynthia Merhej

Cynthia Merhej, the designer behind Renaissance Renaissance, carries forward a rich legacy of women-led couture, blending tradition with a modern sensibility. As a third-generation couturier, Merhej grew up in her mother’s Beirut atelier, where she developed a deep appreciation for the art of garment-making. After studying Visual Communications at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art in London, she returned to her roots to establish Renaissance Renaissance, bringing her family's craftsmanship into the contemporary era.

Frida America and Irma Universo

Sister duo Irma Universo and Frida America are the visionary forces behind America Universo, a label that boldly explores the complexities of femininity through a dark and provocative lens. Their designs often tell a story of femininity with bondage-inspired silhouettes, like Spring/Summer 2025's corseted, cut out, and hardware-heavy pieces. With a fearless approach to fashion, America Universo dares to redefine how femininity is perceived and dressed.

Aris Tatalovich

Aris Tatalovich is a rapidly rising New York-based designer known for his playful reinterpretation of classic menswear since starting the label in 2016. The elusive fashion designer's work embraces a vibrant color palette and draw inspiration from pop culture symbols and nostalgia, blending elements of the past with a fresh, contemporary perspective. Tatalovich’s work challenges traditional menswear norms, offering pieces that are both expressive and youthful. His collections reflect a sense of joy and individuality, making him a standout voice in the evolving landscape of modern fashion and favorite of celebrities like Kai Cenat and Lil Yachty.

Emma Gage

Emma Gage, the creative force behind Melke, launched her brand in 2020 with a mission to bring joy and individuality to fashion through bold, “seriously unhinged” designs. Specializing in knitwear, separates, dresses, and accessories, Gage champions small-scale production practices that prioritize sustainability without compromising on creativity. Each piece reflects her fluid approach to slow fashion, resulting in made-to-last collectibles that celebrate both the planet and the people who wear them.

Since its inception, Melke has gained recognition for its colorful and expressive aesthetic, earning Gage a spot as an interim member of the CFDA in 2022. That same year, she made her highly anticipated New York Fashion Week debut with the presentation of her Fall/Winter 2022 collection, further cementing her reputation as an emerging talent with a unique, planet-conscious vision.