5 Up-And-Coming Conscious Fashion Designers
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3 hours ago
The London-based brands set to make waves all over the world
Looking to venture off the beaten track with your next fashion investment? You’ve come to the right place. These are the up-and-coming designers taking over the London style scene.
Up-And-Coming London-Based Designers To Know Now
Tolu Coker
Three core pillars define British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker’s design ethos: community, craftsmanship and culture. Taking to the LFW runway in a blaze of colour and sleek tailoring, Coker positions her collections to tell the stories of historically quieted communities – while offering reassurances of social sustainability with locally manufactured pieces, fair wages and the use of deadstock fabrics and upcycled waste materials where possible.
Di Petsa
With her ‘wet look’ dresses worn by the likes of FKA Twigs, SZA and supermodel sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid, designer Dimitra Petsa is well on her way to pop culture prominence. You’ll find her portfolio filled with Greek-inspired silhouettes that celebrate the saturated female form, combining traditional craftsmanship with upcycled materials and sustainable textile development to visualise a contemporary Greek goddess.
Ancuța Sarca
When it comes to reimagining footwear for modern audiences, Ancuța Sarca is stepping up to the plate. The Romanian-born designer breathes new life into recycled fabric cutouts and material waste – and even worked with Nike in 2020 to transform leftover pairs of sneakers into runway-ready heels. You’ll find her pushing the boundaries of conventional footwear design, blending femininities with masculinities to reinvigorate what was once familiar.
Kazna Asker
Sheffield meets the Middle East with Kazna Asker’s collections. The British-Yemeni designer takes much of her inspiration from traditional abayas and hijabs, combining them with the ‘Northern uniform’ – a humble tracksuit. Looking to her home city’s network of local charity shops, Asker sources pre-loved sportswear as the base for many of her pieces, before carefully unpicking and splicing them together with deadstock materials and Middle Eastern textiles.
Sinéad O’Dwyer
Much of Sinéad O’Dwyer’s practice is concerned with tackling the traditional (and often toxic) sizing rows of the fashion industry, designing clothes that accommodate all bodies. Avoiding traditional ways of drawing fabric patterns, the Irish designer instead casts real life moulds of her models – using them as the building blocks for her garments. This approach earned her the Zalando Visionary Award in 2024, alongside a coveted spot in Copenhagen Fashion Week’s SS25 lineup.
The British Fashion Council On The Future Of Conscious Design
Is the current shift towards sustainability in London’s fashion scene genuine, or just a fad? Shailja Dube, Institute of Positive Fashion Lead at British Fashion Council (BFC), fills us in.
How is the fashion landscape changing with regards to sustainability?
The fashion landscape is experiencing a genuine shift toward sustainability, with a strong emphasis on reducing environmental impact and embracing circularity. Circularity – reusing materials, minimising waste, and designing for longevity – has become central to the industry’s climate response. The BFC actively encourages brands and policymakers to join sustainability initiatives and commit to measurable goals, helping to align the industry with global climate ambitions.
Consumers, too, are becoming more discerning, concerned with the origins and ethics behind their purchases, and wary of greenwashing tactics. It’s inspiring to see newly established brands embracing sustainable practices from day one, incorporating upcycling, using surplus fabrics, and choosing local production, all of which contribute to a more responsible fashion future.
What role are British and UK-based designers playing in this change?
British designers are at the forefront of the sustainable fashion movement, setting a standard for responsible practices. The BFC supports sustainable growth through programs like BFC NEWGEN, which nurtures emerging designers by incorporating sustainable practices early in their careers, reinforcing the industry’s potential to shape public consciousness and drive impactful climate solutions. British designers’ innovative approaches to design and production, combined with their influence on the global stage, are inspiring others to adopt more eco-conscious practices.
What do you think ethical design will look like in 2025?
Designers are making significant strides in adopting eco-friendly materials, minimising waste through smarter production processes, and prioritising fair labour practices throughout global supply chains. Advances in technology are enhancing transparency, allowing for better tracking of materials and processes, and making ethical fashion more accessible and credible for consumers. The momentum around ethical fashion shows promise for a future where brands and buyers alike prioritise mindful decisions that respect the planet and its people.
Do you think there’s a danger of sustainability becoming a ‘trend’ as opposed to a long-lasting outlook within the fashion industry?
While sustainability risks becoming a buzzword, the industry’s commitment to measurable actions – such as circularity, net-zero goals, and industry-wide charters – indicates a deeper, more durable transformation. Such initiatives led by the BFC and international climate agreements are pushing brands beyond surface-level changes, aiming for sustained and meaningful progress. Educating consumers on sustainability and the risks of greenwashing is also crucial to empower them in making informed, responsible choices, helping to ensure that sustainability remains a core principle rather than a passing trend.
Is there anything we can look out for when it comes to identifying up-and-coming British talent?
London Fashion Week is a premier showcase for emerging British talent, globally recognised for spotlighting designers who bring fresh ideas, unique perspectives, and bold creativity. Each season, these rising stars capture the vibrancy of the city, presenting collections that resonate with audiences worldwide. British designers continue to shape the future of fashion by using their brands as vehicles for storytelling and cultural dialogue. Many express their heritage, values, and personal narratives through their designs, weaving together fashion and identity in compelling ways. Following the work of these rising stars offers a front-row view of the unique talent shaping the next chapter of the industry, and an opportunity to witness the evolution of fashion in cultural conversations.
Featured image: Di Petsa (c) Jessica Mahaffey, British Fashion Council
