Net-A-Porter presents first line-up of Vanguard designers

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Sep 11, 2018

A handbag brand, two ready-to-wear labels and shoe designer have been announced as the first group of emerging designers to benefit from Net-A-Porter’s new fashion incubator The Vanguard.

Gu_de, Les Rêveries, Rūh and Souliers Martinez will receive a comprehensive mentorship programme with training and guidance from the luxury platform’s global team of specialists.

In addition to learning about business strategy, marketing, buying training, social media and tech, the brands will have the chance to be featured in the #NetSet fashion week campaigns.

Net-A-Porter has also launched an online store front for their collections on the website to help customers discover their brands.

Gu_de (pronounced ‘good’) is the brainchild of Ji Hye Koo. With strong ‘70s influences, the mid-range Korean bag label offers structured shapes with interchangeable straps, all manufactured in South Korea. The bags retail between $400 and $700.

New York-based Les Rêveries is the creation of sisters Wayne Lee and Ai Ly, who set out to create the perfect going-out dress. So midi dresses and floral print abound in their collection, inspired by the siblings’ love of art, poetry and music.

Ruh by Sonia Trehan is another womenswear brand, but with a completely different style approach. Launched in 2016, it is a modest fashion brand with ethically-made pieces which offer full coverage whilst exploring new shapes at the same time.

Finally, Souliers Martinez is created by French shoe designer Julien Martinez. Each pair of shoes is hand laced, assembled and finished in Spain by local craftspeople, and inspired by the women in Pedro Almodovar’s films such as Penelope Cruz and Rossi de Palma.