Female-founded fashion brands you should know
International Women's Day is the perfect moment to reflect on the women shaping industries, and the fashion world is no exception. From minimalist Scandinavian labels to experimental designers and luxury fashion houses: female founders play an ever-growing role in defining what modern fashion looks like.
TL;DR:
- Female-founded brands like Marine Serre, Toteme, Khaite and The Row are shaping the future of fashion
- From sustainable innovation to quiet luxury: female designers bring unique perspectives
- Wales Bonner combines European luxury with Afro-Atlantic influences in a groundbreaking way
- Amina Muaddi built one of the most recognisable shoe brands in the world in a short time
- Nanushka sets the standard for vegan leather and conscious minimalism
More and more women are building brands with a strong vision, a recognisable aesthetic and a clear cultural impact. Whether it's innovative streetwear, modern luxury or timeless essentials: each of these designers brings something unique to the fashion industry.
Also read why female designers are so important for the future of fashion for more context on the impact of women in the fashion industry.
At Winkelstraat we're proud to offer several of these female designers and their brands. Below we highlight a number of female-founded fashion brands currently shaping the fashion world, whose collections you can also discover with us.
Photo: TheBusinessOfFashion
Marine Serre
French designer Marine Serre has grown into one of the most influential names in contemporary fashion. Since launching her brand in 2017, she has combined futuristic silhouettes with sustainable materials and innovative production techniques.
Serre is known for her iconic crescent moon print, which has by now become a recognisable symbol within the modern fashion scene. With her mix of sportswear, tailoring and sustainability, she represents a new generation of designers reshaping fashion.
Photo: BritishVogue
Toteme
The Swedish brand Toteme, founded by Elin Kling and Karl Lindman, has grown into one of the most beloved labels within modern minimalism.
The brand is known for timeless silhouettes, refined tailoring and high-quality basics that stay relevant season after season. Pieces like the iconic Toteme scarf jacket have given the brand cult status among fashion insiders.
Toteme embodies the power of Scandinavian luxury minimalism.
Photo: TheBusinessOfFashion
Khaite
The New York label Khaite, founded by designer Catherine Holstein, has by now become one of the most influential modern luxury brands.
Holstein combines powerful tailoring with feminine silhouettes, creating garments that feel both elegant and modern. The brand caught worldwide attention when a Khaite cardigan went viral after a streetstyle moment with Katie Holmes.
Today Khaite is a fixture among editors, stylists and fashion lovers.
Photo: MarieClaire
Wales Bonner
The London label Wales Bonner, founded by Grace Wales Bonner, is known for its deep cultural references and refined tailoring.
The collections combine European luxury with Afro-Atlantic influences and tell stories about identity, history and culture. Beyond her runway collections, Wales Bonner has also had successful collaborations with brands like Adidas.
The brand moves effortlessly between luxury fashion and contemporary culture.
Photo: HarpersBazaar
Amina Muaddi
Shoe designer Amina Muaddi has built one of the most recognisable footwear brands of the moment with her eponymous label.
Her designs are instantly recognisable by their characteristic flared heel, which combines glamour with modern elegance. Celebrities such as Rihanna, Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber are among her loyal fans.
In a short time the brand grew into a major player within the luxury footwear scene.
Photo: Bloomberg
The Row
The Row, founded by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, has grown into one of the most respected luxury fashion brands in the world.
The label is known for its minimalist aesthetic, exceptional materials and perfectly executed tailoring. Rather than following trends, The Row focuses on timeless designs and craftsmanship: an approach that fits perfectly within the current quiet luxury movement.
Photo: TatlerAsia
Feng Chen Wang
Chinese designer Feng Chen Wang is known for her experimental approach to modern fashion and streetwear.
Her collections play with deconstruction, technical materials and cultural references. Wang has previously collaborated with brands like Converse and is seen as one of the designers further blurring the line between luxury fashion and streetwear.
Photo: Bymarie
Nanushka
The brand Nanushka, founded by Sandra Sándor, combines contemporary design with a strong focus on sustainability.
The label is known for its modern silhouettes, vegan leather pieces and warm, earthy colour palettes. Nanushka grew into an international fashion brand that combines minimalist luxury with a conscious approach to fashion.
Discovering female-founded fashion brands
From innovative designers to established luxury labels: female founders continue to play an important role in shaping the fashion industry.
Brands like Marine Serre, Toteme, Khaite, Wales Bonner, Amina Muaddi, The Row, Feng Chen Wang and Nanushka show how creativity, vision and craftsmanship come together in modern fashion.
Discover the collections of these female-founded designer brands now at Winkelstraat.nl
Curious about the latest accessory trends from fashion icons? Many of these female designers set the tone there too.
Frequently asked questions about female-founded fashion brands
Which female-founded fashion brands are the most influential?
Brands like The Row, Khaite, Marine Serre and Wales Bonner are among the most influential female-founded labels of the moment. Each brand brings a unique perspective: from quiet luxury and modern tailoring to sustainable innovation and cultural references that are reshaping the fashion world for good.
Why are female designers important for the fashion industry?
Female designers often design from personal experience with clothing, body and movement. That results in designs that are both aesthetic and functional. They bring new perspectives that make the industry more diverse and innovative, from Coco Chanel to today's generation of designers.
Where can I shop female-founded fashion brands?
Many female-founded brands such as Marine Serre, Toteme, Khaite, Wales Bonner, Amina Muaddi, The Row, Feng Chen Wang and Nanushka are available through luxury retailers and online platforms. Their collections can also be found at selected multibrand stores.
What is quiet luxury and which female designers fit within it?
Quiet luxury is all about timeless designs, exceptional materials and subtle elegance without flashy logos. The Row by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen is the prime example of this movement. Toteme and Khaite also fit perfectly within the quiet luxury aesthetic with their refined, minimalist approach.
