#6: THE NEWCOMERS

Your passport to fashion’s rising talents, from around the world.

CHINA

Who: Shuting Qiu
The 411: Based in Antwerp, the Chinese-born designer established her eponymous label in 2017, which is often recognized with its experimentation in silhouette and rendered in rich contrasting colours. French designer Simon Porte Jacquemus is already a fan.

Irreverently mixing prints for her Spring/Summer ’20 collection

BELGIUM

Who: Ester Manas
The deal: A sustainable and inclusive brand helmed by Ester Manas and Balthazar Delepierre, the design-duo often imbue current societal and political changes into their collections. Like exaggerated peplums reminiscent of curvier body shapes, and one-size-fits-all dresses.

Going against the grain, Ester Manas champions female empowerment through their deep understanding of drapery and tailoring

SOUTH AFRICA

Who: Thebe Magugu
The down-low: Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, the LVMH Prize winner is the first African designer to win the competition’s seven-year history, with a collection that paid homage to his homeland. Think tablecloth-esque trench coat, distressed denim on marabou feathers, and prints by artist Phathu Nembilwi.

The South African designer often imbues elements from his native country into his collections