speedrun the trendiest brands
Sandro, based in Paris
In my time at Nordstrom, I learned about many brands that I’d barely heard of or were entirely unfamiliar with. Now that I work for TheRealReal as a Luxury Resale Advisor (fancy!), I’m exposed to a wide variety of brands of which I’ve never heard! As you know if you’ve been following me, my greatest thrill lies in researching the underlying story of brands, designers, and fashion trends. So here I present to you a summary of some of the hottest brands of the moment. Enjoy!
SANDRO: Founded in 1984 by Evelyn Chetrite, who remains the Creative Director (along with her son, who designs the menswear line), this brand evokes your classic, pared-down yet sophisticated French style. Evelyn grew up in Morocco, moving to Paris as a teen. She draws heavy inspiration from the world of fine art, including Louise Bourgeois, a 20th-century artist known best for her sculptures but also well-versed in textiles. The F/W 2025 Collection was staged at the Musée Bourdelle, creating “an encounter between fashion and sculpture.” (www.sandro.com) The list continues, but you get the idea.
KHAITE: Perhaps the most trending brand of the moment, Khaite was founded in 2016 by Catherine Holstein, still the brand’s Creative Director, in New York City. What struck me about the looks shown on the runway (Resort 2027, F/W 2026) was how dramatic these collections were, with goth-inspired all-black looks paired with slicked-back hair and black lipstick. Leather is featured prominently. Oscillating from military-style jackets with oversized buttons and broad shoulders to sheer, lacy tops and skirts, the F/W ‘26 collection, in particular, pitted masculine against feminine tropes. This was a huge departure from the pieces I’ve seen in my clients’ homes, which tend to be more subdued, bespoke, and neutral in tone. In real life, what distinguishes Khaite is the uniqueness of cut, the quality of the fabric, and a sense of whimsy.
MARNI: Speaking of whimsy, Marni strikes me as a youthful, playful, edgy, whimsical brand akin to Miu Miu. Specific pieces such as the cashmere wool briefs, sunglasses, and oxfords gave me this impression the most. Founded in Milan in 1994, the brand embodies “sophistication, elegance, and experimentation” (www.marni.com). Belgian designer Meryll Rogge debuted her 1st collection as Creative Director of the house for F/W 2026, so the impact her vision will have on the brand still remains to be seen. According to Women’s Wear Daily, much of the women’s collection reflected the 90’s era in which the brand was born.
THE ROW: When it comes to bespoke, quiet luxury (both overused terms, I know), think: The Row. Their branding is so subtle, you have to hunt to find the label/tag on many pieces. Classic lines and quality fabrics have made this one of the most coveted brands in recent fashion history (currently their “Margeaux” handbag is the #1 sought-after bag on TheRealReal). Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen (aka the “Olsen twins,” of “Full House” fame) founded the brand in 2005 while in search of the perfect T-shirt. Early champions of the brand named after Savile Row include Lauren Hutton, who modeled for their 2008 lookbook. The F/W 2026 collection features a distinct blend of very classic, chic tailoring (think Givenchy’s LBD) with more modernized, relaxed tailoring and layered fabrics.
That’s our recap for today. What do you think? Please leave a post in the comments; I’d love to hear your feedback! If you like, I’ll do more. Thank you for your support!
