L.A.’s independent fashion designers and labels are dressing Angelenos and celebrities alike. Here are a few emerging brands to look out for
Los Angeles is home to many independent fashion designers and brands, which thrive off of the creative culture and fashion industry in the city. From streetwear to runway to red carpet fashion, L.A. designers are making their mark, one look at a time. Here are some emerging L.A.-based independent brands and designers to check out that have even had their clothes worn by celebrity customers.
Adam Small is an L.A.-based designer known for his elevated streetwear. His pieces have appeared in GQ Magazine worn by Kansas City Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce, styled by celebrity image architect Law Roach. His designs were also shown at New York Fashion Week in 2024. Small is known for his signature distressed denim jeans and cadet hats.
“There’s something that I find really special about making something, being able to take a material from its own natural state and turning it into something completely different and new. There’s a lot of beauty in that transformation,” Small said of his creative process in a social media post.
Ella Mae is an L.A.-based designer who describes her design aesthetic as “romantic utilitarianism.” Her pieces are feminine and wearable, and her most recent Spring Summer 2026 collection featured a range of womenswear, menswear and androgynous looks. Model Barbara Palvin wore a piece from her Spring Summer 2026 collection at the Cannes Film Festival this year.
According to her website, Mae’s design perspective was shaped by her upbringing in rural Colorado, and she first learned to sew at age six, through her mother’s quilt-making. She earned a BFA in Apparel Design from the Rhode Island School of Design with a concentration in “nature, culture, and sustainability studies” and has an “earth-first” philosophy in her business. She prioritizes small-batch production from deadstock and natural fibers, and uses dyes made from natural materials and food waste.
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EMPATH is an L.A.-based brand founded by designer Emily Arakawa. According to the brand’s website, the design direction of the label is inspired by 90s minimalism and Japanese culture, as the brand puts an edgy spin on basic pieces. They also prioritize sustainable manufacturing in small batches in the city, sourcing deadstock fabrics locally. The brand also strives to reduce its carbon footprint by using compostable packaging.
Charli XCX was recently spotted wearing EMPATH’s Uzu dress in sand, stripe Uzu dress and matching stripe boy short, and the brand’s Willow hooded dress on three separate occasions. Kylie Jenner was seen sporting the brand’s Em Tank at the Knicks NBA finals.
MPAZ Studio creates elevated basics as well as avante garde pieces. The brand was founded in 2022 by designer Paz Morales, whose Colombian background and time living in L.A. shaped its direction. According to the brand’s website, Morales says her designs reflect both California’s creative freedom and Colombia’s tradition of craftsmanship. While Morales designs in L.A., all production and operations are led from Colombia.
Actress and model Julia Fox was seen wearing the brand’s Ocean dress made from 100% recycled denim waistbands in a 2023 outing.