11 Female-Founded British Fashion Brands To Have On Your Radar
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59 minutes ago
The future of Britain’s fashion industry is female
Building a brand that stands out – especially in the fashion world – is no easy feat. Natalie Massenet, founder of Net-A-Porter, knew that identifying a gap in the market over two decades ago was just the beginning of her journey: ‘Success begins at that magical moment when you declare to yourself, your friends, and the universe that you believe you can do something different.’ But despite the purchasing power that women hold, a study by Business of Fashion showed that there is still very little female representation in the boardroom, with only 14 percent of the world’s top fashion brands have women in leadership positions. It’s with this in mind that we’ve set out to spotlight the most inspiring female-founded British brands – those leading the way in fashion with purpose, craftsmanship, and innovative design.
The List: Female-Founded British Fashion Brands
Suzannah London
Whether it’s a royal engagement, movie premiere, or a day at the races, the world’s most high-profile events have turned into a runway for luxury womenswear designer Suzannah Crabb. Her eponymous brand Suzannah London, which reimagines classic couture looks for the modern woman, is a favourite of Kate Middleton, Emma Watson, and Dame Helen Mirren. Though best known for its coatdresses and formalwear, the brand’s growing empire now also includes homeware, accessories, and a vacation collection of resort-ready picks.
ALIGNE
How do you know when a piece has gone viral? When it has a 2,500-person waitlist, perhaps. The flattering ‘looks good on every body’ Daphne Blazer may have catapulted ALIGNE into cult following territory, but it’s the brand’s approachable price point, clean lines, and versatile designs that have made it a staple in the wardrobes of editors, celebrities, and everyday women. CEO Ginny Lawson – who led ALIGNE through a rebrand and monumental revenue growth – has recently moved to New York to continue driving the brand’s international expansion plans.
Queens of Archive
For lovers of vintage fashion. Queens of Archive is a brand that brings fashion from decades past – think retro prints, faux fur coats, and statement sleeves – into the present. With collections that celebrate the rebellious feminine energy of the 60s and 70s, it’s of no surprise that the brand has won the approval of It Girls Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, and Alexa Chung. More recently, under the direction of founder Nicola Orme, Queens of Archive partnered with stylist Rachel Bakewell on a line of limited-edition vintage-inspired hats.
Aspiga
B Corp-certified fashion label Aspiga believes that creating beautiful clothing shouldn’t cost the earth. The brand, which was founded by Lucy Macnamara two decades ago, has seen its block-print floral maxis, flowing kaftans, and crushed velvet jumpsuits donned by women of all ages – from Mary Berry to Clodagh McKenna to Emilia Fox. In 2026, the brand is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a nature-inspired capsule collection in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society (launching in May).
Astrid & Miyu
Walking into one of Astrid & Miyu’s stores – with its blush walls, glowy lighting, and Instagram-friendly interiors – feels more like being in a wellness space than a jewellery store. Founder Connie Nam quit her job in investment banking to launch the business in 2012, and has since grown the brand to over 26 shops around the globe. Since then, Astrid & Miyu’s customisable ear stacks and necklaces have been seen on celebrities like Jessica Alba and influencers such as Lydia Millen, and they’ve expanded their in-store offering to include services like body piercing, tattoos, and jewellery welding.
Aya
Born in London with an African soul, Aya was started by lawyer-turned-gemologist Chelsy Davy, whose Zimbabwean roots inspired the brand’s early designs: refined pieces featuring ethically-sourced gemstones from all over Africa. With an ongoing commitment to both innovation and sustainability, Aya has expanded its product line to include lab-grown diamonds and stones, woven into both ready-to-wear collections and the brand’s bespoke design service.
It’s 9pm
Possessing an inherent belief that loungewear shouldn’t be worn solely in the comfort of one’s home, Amy Pass created It’s 9pm: a bold, playful contemporary loungewear brand ideal for those looking to stand out. Striking patterns, luscious fabrics, and extremely wearable silhouettes have won over the fashion set, who are regularly seen sporting the brand’s signature vintage smoking suits everywhere from the airport to a night out. With an extended range that includes breezy fabrics like cotton and linen, It’s 9pm has turned into a sun-drenched holiday staple as well.
STPLE
True luxury is timeless but also shouldn’t be saved just for special occasions. It’s this ethos that drove fashion entrepreneur Hannah Dawson to create STPLE, the luxury ready-to-wear brand which launched last year and quickly became a favourite of fashion influencers Rosie Fortescue and Abbey Clancy. Best known for their outerwear, Dawson and her team are meticulous about sourcing top-tier fabrics like wool and cashmere that deliver on both quality and the quiet luxury aesthetic that their customer loves.
AKYN
When industry veteran Amy Powney announced she was leaving Mother of Pearl after nearly two decades, all eyes were on what she would do next. Enter: AKYN, the purpose-driven womenswear label that champions regenerative natural fibres. With sustainability at its core, Powney’s early collections feature refined denim pieces made from organic cotton, summer dresses in TENCEL™ Lyocell Luxe, and jumpers knitted from Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)-certified extra fine merino wool.
Cinta The Label
With consumers becoming more intentional about building their wardrobes, knitwear is having a moment – and fashion and luxury PR maven Amy Sturgis has taken note. Born out of Sturgis’ deep insights into brand building and understanding what women want, CINTA crafts a range of cardigans and tanks that are both wearable and playful. Spotted on the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Lola Tung, and Barbara Palvin, CINTA works with women-run factories on a small-batch, seasonal drops model – a reflection of their no-waste philosophy.
E.P.Brown
When Eleanor Brown quit her job in PR, she knew that her journey into entrepreneurship would begin with handbags. With a belief that every bag should tell a story, Eleanor sought to create a line of sophisticated, effortless bags that honours British craftsmanship. Her newly-launched company, E.P.Brown, is a truly Made in Britain brand; by collaborating with family-run small businesses and workshops around the country, she has supported British makers while producing a debut edit that can seamlessly transition from day to night.
