Around the World in New Insta Fashion: Key Fashion Hubs Worldwide

Instagram has always been the preferred platform for creatives. Communicating in just pictures (and short captions) is the perfect recipe for getting your vision across. So, it's no surprise at all that emerging fashion brands are using Instagram with great success. Whichever country you live in, there'll be new designers showcasing their talents local to you.

In celebration of this, we've travelled around the world via Instagram. The designers coming up are all emerging designers, who are just starting to receive recognition, or just on the cusp of it. So, if you're looking for the inside scoop on the latest trends, look no further.

Bassike (Sydney, Australia)

First up, we're heading down under for some inspiring Australian fashion from Bassike. This brand has yet to hit the mainstream, but in fashion circles, it's becoming quite well-known. The founding duo Deborah Sams and Mary Lou Ryan established the business all the way back in 2006. The dream was to create wardrobe essentials with a sustainable design. They used organic cotton right from the beginning, choosing to make everything in their home country of Australia.

It would be fair to say that it took a while for people to catch on, but now in 2024, Bassike is bigger than ever. They have 172k followers on Instagram thanks to their paired-back, minimalist approach. Everything you see is organic, but more importantly, it's effortlessly wearable. Neutral, or no-makeup looks are set against urban backdrops to put the focus on what really matters - the clothes. 

Senja by Maddie (London, England)

From basic to bonkers - well, maybe that's a little unfair! Senja by Maddie is a whole lot more colourful than Bassike, but just as charming. This London designer also started with sustainability in mind. After completing her textiles degree, she began upcycling clothes for herself in 2020 and quickly her friends wanted to know where she'd bought them from. Fast forward four years and the Senja brand is bigger than ever.

The company's stunning fluffy coats and cardigans, as well as knitted co-ords, have made it into Vogue Business, Pap, and Flanelle to name just a few publications. However, we think the best place to see Senja's clothes is on Instagram. It's a riot of colour and texture, with the occasional red carpet appearance thrown in for good measure. When it comes to letting your personality and flair shine through, Senja by Maddie is killing it.

Carne Bollente (Paris, France)

Carne Bollente were established back in 2015 and though it took them a little time to get recognized, their message has been strong since the beginning. They want to create sex-positive fashion for people of all genders and orientations. Hailing from Paris, many people immediately assume the brand will follow in the footsteps of famous Paris fashion houses before them, but actually, they have a more radical feel. Something you'd expect perhaps from a Berlin designer, or indeed London.

It should come as no surprise then, that their Instagram is currently filled with stunning images of their collaboration with High Snobiety. This collab is inspired by Berlin and the Carne Kebab t-shirt is already in our basket. For unapologetic fashion with quirky cartoon vibes, we don't think you'll find anything cooler.

Thaihuy (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam)

This brand is still pretty much under the radar, with just under 5,000 followers on Instagram. However, since the British model, Jourdan Dunn chose to wear one of Thaihuy's dresses to the British Fashion Awards last year, things have been happening pretty fast! This Vietnamese brand only launched its first collection in the summer of last year, but already its edgy designs are catching the attention of the movers and shakers of the fashion industry.

The palette is muted, with metallics, black, and white only. However, the textures, patterns, and shapes of the garments are staggeringly ornate. Inspired by artists of the Art Deco era, we're in love with the rich colours and geometric patterns. It's glamorous, perfect red carpet attire, and we don't think they'll be such an Instagram secret for long.

Kenneth Nicholson (Los Angeles, USA)

Finally, we head to the USA to explore the whirlwind that is Kenneth Nicholson. Blurring the lines between men's and women's fashion is at the heart of Nicholson's latest collection. The catwalk features classic tailored suits, and barely there slip dresses, modelled about half and half by men and women - though not in the way that you'd expect. Male models flaunt their chests in slip dresses, while female models look powerful in business suits. 

It's great to see a designer who's not afraid to bend the rules when it comes to gender in fashion, but not just that, a designer who also doesn't play it safe with solely androgynous looks. We're excited to see what Nicholson has in store for his next catwalk show and believe he will make it as the great American designer he hopes to be.