Most of the designers that everyone's heard of are well into adulthood; the Vera Wangs, Calvin Kleins, and even Alexander Wangs of the world are veterans when it comes to running their own companies. But thanks to the Internet, the fashion industry is no longer limited to people with full-blown empires and corporations behind them.
These days, up-and-coming designers not only have access to a World Wide Web of inspiration, they also have the opportunity to show off (via Instagram, Twitter, etc.) and actually sell (through Squarespace-made sites or platforms like Tictail or Etsy) the pieces they're producing. And in a sea of fast-fashion everything, there's nothing better than stumbling upon an indie brand that's making something really good.
To give you a taste of this young talent, we've rounded up some fresh buys from designers under the age of 20. Click on to familiarize yourself with these names before they become the next big things.
Fighting for inclusivity, diversity, and gender-neutrality, Generation Z is poised to turn the fashion world on its head. Get to know today's most influential teenagers with #TheZList, our week-long celebration of under-20 visionaries changing how we think about style.
This isn't any old graphic hoodie — it's a graphic hoodie made by 19-year-old twin designers Chet and Betts DeHart, who happen to count Rihanna as a fan. Talk about street cred.
Lucid FC Crest Logo Conceal Hoodie, $90, available at Lucid FC.
You don't get featured in Vogue, Bullett, and VFILES and have your shirt worn by Wiz Khalifa if you aren't onto something good. Melissa 'Missy' Jade Aiello has a distinct sketching style that's made her tees of celebrities like Karl Lagerfeld and Bob Marley catch on like crazy.
Missy Tee, available soon at Tees by Missy X.
She may have just turned 20, but Kiev-based designer Anna K. took hold of the fashion world when she was just a teen, with shows at both New York and Milan Fashion Weeks. This particular dress has already been a favorite among street-style stars, and now it can be yours for the taking.
Anna K. Long Pink Cake Dress, $251, available at Anna K.
Nineteen-year-old Parisian Alexandre Daillance (a.k.a. Millinsky) has gotten his hat brand NASASEASONS on the who's-who of the Internet just by sliding through their DMs. Who can't appreciate that?
NASASEASONS Almost Famous Hat, $50, available at NASASEASONS.
Amanda Glass, age 18, was smart to get in on the patches popularity with her own line of clever peel-and-stick options. We're deciding between the avocado and the heart that reads "4ever Hungry." How about you?
Hipstapatch Patches, $4-$6, available at Hipstapatch.
Sick of your plain old denim jacket? Give this distressed, ripped-up, oversized version by 19-year-old Tyler Lambert a try.
Lambert Distressed Denim Jacket, $395, available at Singer22.
For fans of quirky and creative footwear designers like Sophia Webster or Charlotte Olympia, 19-year-old Nicolò Beretta is a name worth following. These heels look just as good on your feet as they do perched on a shelf in your apartment as a piece of art.
Giannico Picasso, $570, available at Giannico.
If your T-shirt collection could use a refresh, one of Isabella Rose Taylor's pieces might just be the cure. Now a student at Parsons, Taylor first launched her line back in 2010 and five years later showed at New York Fashion Week. Today her label can be found at Nordstrom, Nylon shops, and on her website.
Isabella Rose Taylor Graphic Tee, $38, available at Isabella Rose Taylor.
It's not every day you hear of an 18-year-old with a swimwear line, but Los Angeles-based Courtney Allegra's pieces, with their unique cuts and bold prints, are a major standout. Reminder: Summer isn't over just yet.
Courtney Allegra Italy Top in Aquarium, $44, available at Courtney Allegra.
A new way to do denim-on-denim: This buckle/pocket backpack by 19-year-old LVMH Prize nominee Vejas Kruszewski is an unconventional way to wear the fabric you already wear multiple times a week.
Vejas Kruszewski Belted Denim Backpack, $360 $252, available at Vejas Kruszewski.
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