9 Female-Owned Streetwear Brands to Keep on Your Radar
This Women’s History Month, L’OFFICIEL takes a look at the female-led streetwear labels making a name for themselves in the male-dominated fashion sector.
Despite its self-explanatory name, since its inception streetwear has not been an easy style to define. The name itself suggests everyday, walking-down-the-street clothing, which could essentially mean anything. But over time, we’ve reached a general understanding that the style comprises comfortable, casual silhouettes with hints of grunge, hip-hop, and sportswear influences, and a strong emphasis on footwear—namely sneakers. The streetwear scene has been predominantly occupied and operated by men, but over the course of the last few years, more and more women have infiltrated the industry. Key female figures, like Kimora Lee Simmons, who pioneered women’s streetwear in the early 2000s with her brand Baby Phat, and Minya Oh (AKA Miss Info), a journalist, radio presenter, and style director of Stadium Goods, have led the way in breaking into the boys' club. Women are now switching up the formerly male-centric style by bringing in a feminine touch without compromising the laid-back, casual aesthetic so heavily associated with it.
From the iconic X-girl to New York-favorite Misbhv, here are eight streetwear brands by women, for women.
Often referred to as pioneers in the scene, X-girl has served as inspiration to alt girls and budding streetwear brands alike since its founding in 1994 by Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon and renowned stylist Daisy Von Furth. In its early days, the brand was attached to names like Chloë Sevigny and Sofia Coppola, further cementing its status as an innovator in streetwear. The brand has not lost sight of its origins, and continues to deliver bold, edgy cool-girl clothing.
Accidental success Misbhv arrived on the scene in 2016 when it made its New York Fashion Week debut. When Polish designer and former law student Natalie Maczek started the brand three years prior, she did not anticipate the mass popularity that would later ensue. Regardless, Maczek went on to establish one of the most highly sought-after brands on the market. With names like Rihanna and Kim Kardashian sporting the brand, Misbhv is likely here for the long run.
Los Angeles-favorite, Sorella is based in the Melrose District, which to those unfamiliar, operates as the hub of streetwear in the city. This Black-owned business was founded by Heather Sanders in 2012. With little-to-no experience in the field, Sanders built her brick-and-mortar store from the ground up and began a body-positivity movement called #GirlsTour along the way, which put the store on the map and established it as LA’s premier streetwear boutique for women.
This “by girls, for girls” brand has been donned by the likes of Teyana Taylor, Amandla Stenberg, and more. Driven by the lack of diversity in the field, designer Erin Magee created MadeMe in 2007 with hopes of bringing forth a much-needed female presence to the space. Drawing inspiration from counterculture movements such as ‘90s RiotGrrrl, MadeMe is about shedding light on the underrepresented and doing so in style.
Yoon Ahn, along with her rapper husband, Verbal, are streetwear’s most well-known power couple. The Dior Men jewelry designer launched Ambush in 2008 and was an instant success. Collaborating with major brands such as Bape and Reebok early on in its journey solidified its status as the highly-regarded brand it’s seen as today. Ahn’s extensive background in the field, coupled with her innovative, avant-garde designs make her one of streetwear’s best.
Melody Eshani’s namesake brand came to be in 2008 soon after the designer left her pursuit for a career in law and turned to her true calling: design. Raised in an Iranian-American household, Eshani has felt both ends of the culture shock spectrum and has positively fostered this experience into her brand, which aims to encourage self-expression and equality. Eshani was recently named Footlocker Women’s Creative Director, further solidifying her status in streetwear.
Self-proclaimed “anti It girl” Esther Ng has already made waves in the industry with her sport-inspired brand. The rising New Zealand-based designer first launched Prix Workshop in 2018. With her decade-long experience in gaming and fashion, the 24-year-old has managed to merge the two, with launches featuring manga illustrations of her streetwear looks.
We11done is one of Seoul’s finest streetwear labels, and its pieces live up to the name. Designer duo Dami Kwon and Jessica Jung launched the brand in 2016, following the success of their Seoul-based concept shop, Rare Market. The store has served as a space in which designers and fashion folk alike can find curated pieces ranging from top brands to local, emerging labels.
Ever since Alexa Demie rocked the iconic purple top and bottom set in Euphoria Season 1, I Am Gia has become one of streetwear's most hyped brands. Founded in Australia by Alana Pallister in 2018, I Am Gia has been one of the staple brands for social media's "It Girls," such as Devon Lee Carlson, Bella Hadid, and now Maddy Perez. The brand gets its name from Gia Carangi, the main character in the 1998 film Gia, starring Angelina Jolie. The brand focuses on empowering women through clothes, and sells are a variety of matching sets, sexy tops, and amazing bottoms.