The Cult Labels At Le Mill You Need To Know
Every once in a while, there comes along a label that we see and can’t get out of our minds. All the cool girls seem to be wearing it, and no matter which way you look, it’s there - calling out to you. What does it take for a fashion brand to achieve cult status? In the Instagram age, social media hype, word-of-mouth, a loyal army of followers who patiently wait on their favourite designers to unveil the latest drop to cop… before they’re sold out.
As we bid adieu to slouchy lockdown loungewear and emerge into a summer of fun, we’ve rounded up the coolest cult labels you need to have in your closet to take on the season:
Made popular by its ultra-feminine beachwear, Alexis was founded by mother-daughter duo Ana and Alexis Barbara in 2008. The idea for the label sprouted while on a holiday in the Mediterranean one summer, where the two were complimented on their style everywhere they went.
The collections are inspired by the designer duo’s worldly travels and passion for vintage, embracing all aspects of femininity, sophistication, and elegant ease. Alexis offers everything a globe-trotting style icon needs in her closet - from romantic beachwear to exquisite cocktail attire and has been worn by A-listers such as the Kardashians, Cameron Diaz, Hillary Duff, and Adriana Lima.
Shop Alexis here.
This Moscow-based ready-to-wear label has infiltrated the closets of both celebs and it-girls alike. Founded by Julia Kalmanovich in 2009, the eponymous brand is a celebration of street style movements with a mission to offer distinctive elegant and functional clothing.
Bold, romantic statement pieces crafted using the most luxurious fabrics by Kalmanovich have been sported by everyone from Russian influencer Lena Perminova to youth style icon Hailey Bieber. Katy Perry and Chrissy Teigen are fans too.
Shop Kalmanovich here.
Launched in 2017, Three Graces London is a warm weather escape in a dress. With sustainability at its heart, the label produces well-considered timeless designs in limited quantities using fabrics from generations-old Italian mills.
The label’s dreamy dresses and flattering separates are made to seamlessly transition from vacation to balmy days back home. “By making our products as beautiful as we can, we’re hopefully making it easier for women to buy less, but buy well-considered pieces that are made to last,” shares founder Catherine Johnson, whose work has found favour in the likes of Priyanka Chopra, Selena Gomez, Heidi Klum and Elle Fanning.
Shop Three Graces London here.
Pronounced GO-SH eighty-one, this Amsterdam-based cult label was founded as late as the end of 2019. With the mission to make daywear sexy while ‘blurring the line between evening and casual wear’, Designer Monika Silva brings together contrasting elements to create a unique mix of retro-inspired modernity. Think tailored separates, subtly-sexy knitwear and sophisticated mini skirts from the ‘90s suited for nights out on the town in 2021.
Silva grew up in Bogot, where people loved to dress up, and then experienced a bit of culture shock when she landed in Amsterdam and wore heels to a dinner party where everyone else had tennis shoes on. “Women lead complex lives and wear many hats. Sometimes, there just aren’t enough hours in the day… A little daytime glamour can go a long way,” believes Silva. While the label would’ve been an instant hit with Carrie Bradshaw, celebs such as Selena Gomez, Kourtney Kardashian and Dakota Johnson have been spotted in Silva’s nostalgic minimalist pieces.
Shop Gauge81 here.
