The fashion industry, as we know it, has been historically defined by the aesthetic eye of old white men. There is only one heritage house in history that was founded by a woman and is still in operation today: Chanel [1], founded by Coco Chanel in 1889. But we're pleased to see that the representation of women in the industry has grown exponentially since the 1970s. We have Diane von Furstenberg's [2] invention of the wrap dress and Vivienne Westwood's [3] elevation of the punk movement to thank for that.
As much as fashion is more about quality, cutting-edge design than it is about gender, it's a welcomed change that an increasing amount of houses are being run by women and for women. What is even more delightful are the numerous brands that are being launched by up-and-coming, ethnically diverse women with financial support from the British Fashion Council's NewGen and the creative guidance of Fashion East's design incubator.
Each season, the number of fresh female designers showing at London Fashion Week [4] grows a bit more impressive. For LFW Spring/Summer 2020, we are keen to see what five of our favourite millennial designers will bring to the catwalk, including London natives Charlotte Knowles and Mimi Wade, Estonian designer Roberta Einer, Guatemalan slow fashion duo Luna del Pinal, and British-Indian designer Supriya Lele.
Read on for everything you need to know about five of the most impressive, up-and-coming female designers dominating London Fashion Week.
Charlotte Knowles
Name: Charlotte Knowles
Age: 28
From: South London
Alum: Kingston University / Central Saint Martins
Charlotte Knowles's signature aesthetic is intricately layered, lingerie-inspired designs. The Central Saint Martins graduate and South London native teamed up with fellow CSM alum Alexandre Arsenault to launch her eponymous label in 2017, with support from Fashion East. Knowles's designs are lauded by Solange Knowles (no relation), and Euphoria [6]'s Hunter Schafer.
Mimi Wade
Name: Mimi Wade
Age: 27
From: London
Alum: Central Saint Martins
Mimi Wade is another Central Saint Martins graduate who finessed her designs with the guidance of fashion incubator Fashion East. Her debut collection launched in February 2016, and featured leather party dresses that were hand-painted with the stylised covers of horror novels. Mimi's designs are stocked internationally at Selfridges London, and Opening Ceremony in Los Angeles and New York City.
Roberta Einer
Name: Roberta Einer
Age: 27
From: Estonia
Alum: Central Saint Martins / U of Westminster
Ellie Goulding, Jorja Smith, and Man Repeller's Leandra Medine are fans. You could say that Estonian-born Roberta Einer was born to be a fashion designer. She grew up sewing and crocheting alongside her grandmother, creating her first fashion collection at aged 12, before deciding to move to London to study fashion design at age 14. Roberta was named as "One to Watch" by The British Fashion Council's NewGen in 2015, debuting at London Fashion Week the same year.
Luna del Pinal
Name: Gabriela Luna and Corina del Pinal
From: Guatemala
Alum: Istituto Marangoni / Royal College of Art
Gabriela Luna and Corina del Pinal met while studying at Istituto Marangoni in Shoreditch. Soon after graduating, they travelled to their home country of Guatemala to practice and perfect one of the oldest weaving techniques in the world called backstrap weaving. Their brand, Luna del Pinal, is committed to sustainable sourcing and production by employing the indigenous craftspeople of Guatemala to create their uniquely conscious designs.
Supriya Lele
Name: Supriya Lele
Age: 31
From: India / West Midlands
Alum: Royal College of Art
Supriya Lele began her design journey in architecture, then switched to art before committing to fashion. After graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2016, Supriya was tapped by Fashion East and made her London Fashion Week debut the following year. Two years later, she received full financial support from the British Fashion Council's NewGen initiative. Supriya's designs are an elegant blend of her Indian roots and British upbringing, with stockists including Browns and Opening Ceremony.
