5 Small Designers That Big Celebrities Love

With the anticipation of another fashion show season, an industry refresh is just around the corner. Yet just one look at celebrity street style snaps and Instagram posts says otherwise. More and more actresses, supermodels, and influencers alike are turning to fashion's rising stars over the industry's established names. Instead of Balenciaga, Versace, and Saint Laurent, think Nensi Dojska, Marshall Columbia, and 16Arlington. Celebrities are slowly embracing newly launched labels to quench their thirst for fashion's latest designs. Now, new and emerging talent is becoming more prevalent than ever. Here, L'OFFICIEL breaks down the names to know as we settle into this Spring/Summer 2023 runway season. 

Di Petsa is the designer making waves. With signature wet-look fabrics, Petsa is integrating her love of performance art into design. A brand grounded by body positivity and acceptance, the designer has already amassed quite the following from the likes of Kylie Jenner, Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid, and Sza— who wore a custom rose quartz-colored wet dress in her Kiss Me More music video. And with each piece exclusively made-to-order, Di Petsa is shaping up to be a designer to watch.

After scooping up the coveted LVMH Prize in 2021, Nensi Dojaka caught the attention of industry insiders and celebrities alike. The Albanian designer's work is simply show-stopping. Known for her layered, deconstructed designs Dojaka focused on texture and detail— a refreshing take on the modern womenswear formula. Seen on Dua Lipa, Jordan Dunn, and Zendaya to name a few, this designer has a bright star-powered future ahead of her.

The Brooklyn-based designer's namesake label is quickly gaining recognition for its unapologetically bold ready-to-wear philosophy. Influenced by Marshall Columbia's costume design background, the brand draws inspiration from childhood arts and crafts with unique shapes, materials, and colors. Supermodels and actresses alike have caught wind of the sensation with Bella Hadid, Paloma Elsesser, and Euphoria's Chloe Cherry leading the way.

Paris-based designer Ludovic de Saint Sernin began as an embellishment expert at Balmain before founding his namesake label in 2017. Inspired by gay sexuality, the designer quickly carved a space for himself and was nominated for the 2018 LVMH Prize after just two seasons. Channeling a Gucci-era Tom Ford, de Saint Sernin knows exactly how much skin to show, and how much to hide. Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and Megan Thee Stallion have all lined up to show their support for this young designer. 

Designer couple Marco Capaldo and the late Federica Cavenati founded cult label 16Arlington, named after their first studio in London, in 2017. From the club to the red carpet, the label’s nightlife-ready sets, and cocktail dresses have become a favorite of party girls and it-girls alike. Grounded in decadence, opulence, and glamour, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Paloma Essler have all made 16Arlington their "night-out" designer of choice.