The Best British Brands You’ll Want To Add To Your Wardrobe As Soon As Possible

London is renowned for being one of the fashion industry's big hitters, housing some of the world's most iconic British brands. But, the rest of the UK - from Northamptonshire to Swansea; Brighton to Derbyshire - is certainly no slouch in the talent department. And sometimes the smaller brands can be lost amongst the noise. Hence this article.

When we think best of British brands of course our minds spring to McQueen, Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, Victoria Beckham, Simone Rocha and Stella McCartney. And obviously the other well-known brands like Barbour, the iconic coat maker founded in South Shields, as well as JW Anderson, whose iconic, forward-thinking designs originated in Northern Island.

But we can't forget the underground and niche brands too! A few that spring to mind, The Vampire's Wife, based in Brighton, is a favourite with Princess Beatrice, Zawe Ashton and Kate Middleton, and Strathberry, one of Meghan Markle's favourite handbag labels, is based north of the border in Edinburgh and if we flip to UK streetwear we have brands like Corteiz, Cold Hours and A Day Without Angst.

The long and short of it is: Britain is inundated with both heritage and up-and-coming brands loved by many. Keep reading for a few of our homegrown favourites - and what key pieces to add to your basket now.

Shop: British Brands 2024

Mowalola

Mowalola made her London Fashion Week debut via Fashion East in 2019 but given her heritage as the child of two Nigerian designers, it was written in the stars. The brand was born a year before in 2018,  and is known for PVC, quirky designs and spunky leather. Ogunlesi frequently taps into the dynamic youth cultures of Nigeria and London, infusing her collections with compelling narratives.

Bianca Saunders

Founded in 2017, Bianca Saunders launched her eponymous label after completing her MA at London’s Royal College of Art. The British-Jamaican designer brings a versatile approach to design, infusing menswear with cross-cultural references for a fresh perspective. Her brand has steadily grown since its inception, garnering recognition from the British Fashion Council as ‘One To Watch’ in 2018, followed by winning The 32nd Andam Grand Prix Fashion Award in 2021.

Wales Bonner

Within two years of launching her brand, Grace Wales Bonner had already won LVMH’s Young Designer Prize and the Fashion Awards’ Emerging Menswear Designer Prize. And since then, the brand has collaborated with brands including adidas Originals, Anderson & Sheppard, and Dior!

Strathberry

This Edinburgh bag brand got the surprise of its life one morning in December 2017. It was the Duchess of Sussex's first official appearance after the engagement announcement and she was carrying their burgundy Midi Tote in the crook of her arm. Now Kelly Rutherford has joined the A team her pick is the Mosaic Nano!

Corteiz

Corteiz Rules The World. When discussing streetwear, it’s impossible not to mention Corteiz or Clint 419. Whether you’re a fan or critic, the undeniable influence of Corteiz, especially on Gen Z, is apparent. A single drop from Corteiz can ignite a frenzy among youths and die-hard fans flooding the streets of London. Born from Clint’s bedroom in 2017, the brand has accomplished remarkable feats, including sell-out collaborations with Nike and Supreme

Alighieri

Its gold hoop earrings, chain-link chokers and pendant necklaces are currently burning a hole in many a fashion ed's virtual basket. The collection, by Rosh Mahtani, is inspired by Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy and each piece relates to one of his poems.

House Of Sunny

House of Sunny produces two seasonal collections a year, which sets a slower pace for the design team, allowing time to research then source sustainable fabrics and manufacturing methods.

JW Anderson

The label, which launched in 2008, produces It bag after It bag and has set the bar high for London Fashion Week with elegantly conceptual clothes that give their wearer an instant point of interest.

Barbour

Established in 1894 by John Barbour, the outerwear brand was born and bred in South Shields, where its headquarters are still located to this day. The iconic wax jackets are as popular as ever, as exemplified by the fact that the brand collaborated with Alexa Chung's eponymous label last year to produce a capsule collection.

The Vampire's Wife

The boutique dress brand has helped revive the old-fashioned frock. Susie Cave's high-neck wallpaper-print designs have a buttoned-up sex appeal that's won over Dakota, Florence and Keira. Well, everyone basically.

Cold Hours

Cold Hours, a relatively new player in the fashion scene, emerged just two years ago in 2021, before fully launching in 2022. With a distinct VHS aesthetic infused with dark vibes, Cold Hours draws inspiration from 90s fashion and American influences, particularly Kanye West. Their collections feature items like flared tracksuits and windbreakers, embodying a mysterious and exclusive vibe. Cold Hours has amassed a significant following, boasting 15 million likes on TikTok.

Molly Goddard

Born and raised in London, Molly Goddard's eponymous label is defined by metres of frill, bright colours and fabric manipulation. The brand has gained A-list status, being worn by the likes of Rihanna, as well as Jodie Corner.

Boden

Founded in 1991, Boden was initially launched as an offering of eight menswear products, which soon expanded into womenswear the following year. Nowadays, Boden is renowned for its stylish take on good quality classics alongside eye-catching colours and prints.

Missoma

She got her first crystal aged five, and now Marisa Hordern has created, in Missoma, a one-stop-shop for wearable crystals and the kind of gold pendants that all the cool girls are layering right now.

Khanums

Rokeya Khanum never imagined Khanums would amount to what it is today. Born out of a side hustle, the luxury evening wear brand has gone from strength to strength, and now has been worn by the likes of Nicole Scherzinger.

Renee Washington, Grazia's Digital Fashion and Beauty Assistant, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie.