From Copenhagen to Paris: Here Are the Emerging Brands That Caught My Attention During Fashion Month.

      While I certainly get excited to witness the fashion month shows from the major brands, one of the aspects I look forward to the most every season is discovering up-and-coming designers. They often leave me feeling genuinely inspired, thanks to their uninhibited collections and shows that resemble performance art. It’s a unique opportunity to uncover something new, whether it be a familiar name pushing boundaries or a designer I haven’t previously encountered. This kind of discovery is one of the highlights of my work, and fashion month is the ideal time for it. As always, the runways influence how we approach our shopping for the upcoming season. For S/S 25, I highlighted the emerging designers that impressed me at New York Fashion Week. This time, I'm broadening my focus to cover the entire F/W 26 fashion month calendar. Below, shop the designers that captured my attention on the latest runways in cities from Copenhagen to Paris.

      **Fashion Month F/W 26 Emerging Designers**

      **Brands to note:** Nicklas Skovgaard, OpéraSport, Caro Editions, Paolina Russo

      Copenhagen Fashion Week consistently boasts some of the trendiest brands in the market. This season, I was particularly drawn to Nicklas Skovgaard, OpéraSport, Caro Editions, and Paolina Russo. For me, Caro Editions truly represented the glamorous dressing trend, standing out as one of the week’s top collections. I’m also considering an OpéraSport baseball cap or bag for myself.

      **Shop the Designers**

      **Brands to note:** Gabe Gordon, Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen, Mel Usine, Jane Wade, Colleen Allen, Pipenco

      Living in New York, my hometown fashion week is naturally New York Fashion Week. At Gabe Gordon, knitwear remained a centerpiece, with a timely reference to ice skating. Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen’s post-show press release referenced “pre-industrial pregnancy corsets, sanitary belts, and maternity wear” as inspirations, with materials like secondhand linens and vintage nylon bringing this vision to fruition. Mel Usine, which made its debut this past spring, expanded its foundation with a second collection inspired by historical research, French folklore, and medieval attire. Jane Wade’s The Summit translated her workwear perspective to outdoor settings, emphasizing performance and expedition clothing, which included a shoe collaboration with Sorel. Others who made a significant impact on me included Colleen Allen, who has gained popularity among NYFW editors, and Pipenco, a unique and imaginative line designed by Romanian designer Lorena Pipenco.

      **Shop the Designers**

      **Brands to note:** Conner Ives, Chopova Lowena, Tolu Coker, Petra Fagerström, Pauline Dujancourt, Lucila Safdie

      London Fashion Week might just be my favorite segment of the fashion month schedule. In addition to renowned names like Burberry and Vivienne Westwood, I always enjoy following the designers emerging from Central Saint Martins and other fresh brands showing each season. For F/W 26, my standout shows included Conner Ives, Chopova Lowena, Tolu Coker, Petra Fagerström, Pauline Dujancourt, and Lucila Safdie, many of which you can find at Nordstrom, Net-a-Porter, and Farfetch.

      **Shop the Designers**

      **Brands to note:** Avavav, Florania, Institution by Galib Gassanoff, Casa Preti

      I always look forward to seeing what Avavav presents during Milan Fashion Week. The brand consistently delivers theatrical (and often satirical) shows with an absurdist take on design. Founded in Florence and now operating out of Stockholm, it’s known for its witty runway displays, and this season was no exception. Additionally, Florania, Institution by Galib Gassanoff, and Casa Preti were particularly memorable.

      **Shop the Designers**

      **Brands to note:** Julie Kegels, Hodakova, Matières Fécales, Vaquera

      Alongside LFW, Paris Fashion Week has my heart. Some highlights included baby blue tights at Julie Kegels, a makeshift bra crafted from teacups at Hodakova, eye-catching, extravagant couture-inspired designs at Matières Fécales, and a surprising take on bridal wear (complete with a baby's breath bouquet) at Vaquera, as shown above. In terms of incorporating these brands into my wardrobe, Vaquera's Pretty Boy T-Shirt, featuring a graphic of a Chihuahua (my favorite dog), is currently on my wishlist.

      **Shop the Designers**