Toast
Founded in 1997 in rural Wales by Jessica and Jamie Seaton, TOAST began with relaxed loungewear and nightwear inspired by the rugged British countryside. Today, it’s a mindful lifestyle brand offering simple, functional clothing and thoughtfully curated homeware produced in collaboration with global artisans, mild hand‑woven linen dresses, block‑printed cotton pyjamas, mohair throws, ceramic tableware, and even hot-water-bottle covers.
Their ethos? A commitment to slow living meets active sustainability. The TOAST Circle program brings pieces back to life via Reworn (pre-loved resale), Repair (free visible mending), Renewed (artisan-repaired collections), and local Exchange swaps, together repairing over 7,000 garments and mending thousands more. With in-house repair services, weaving workshop events, and a 2024 Social Conscience Report, TOAST proves longevity is the anti-fast-fashion revolution, grounded in craftsmanship and care, from Wales to the West Village.
Paloceras
Paloceras is a Guadalajara-based independent eyewear brand committed to redefining how Mexico is seen, and how Mexico sees itself. Founded on the idea of celebrating local culture through design, Paloceras crafts eyewear that embodies the raw beauty and complexity of Mexico’s identity.
Each frame is designed in Mexico and produced in small batches, combining quality materials with striking, understated forms. They aim for designs that are unpretentious yet expressive, honoring local creative traditions while resisting mass-produced sameness. Paloceras embraces a slower design process that values thoughtful details, material honesty, and emotional durability, making each pair not just a functional accessory, but a cultural statement.
Their ethos is to break away from stereotypes and reimagine what Mexican design can be: honest, timeless, and rooted in place. For Paloceras, eyewear is not just about seeing clearly, it’s about seeing deeply, acknowledging heritage, and wearing it with pride.
Maileg
Maileg (pronounced My’lye) is a beloved Danish brand founded in 1999 by designer Dorthe Mailil, a mom, illustrator, and trained visual storyteller who dreamed of infusing toys with the magic of childhood wonder. Inspired by classic Scandinavian minimalism, vintage French whimsy, and her own childhood memories, Maileg crafts heirloom-quality soft toys, tiny furniture, and miniature accessories designed to spark endless imaginative play.
At the heart of Maileg’s universe is the famous Mouse in a Matchbox collection, a testament to the brand’s commitment to scaled-down storytelling, quality materials, and tactile design. All Maileg toys meet strict European safety standards (EN71) and are made with a mix of linen, cotton, and sustainable FSC-certified packaging. Their aesthetic combines soft hues, nostalgic patterns, and charming details that parents appreciate as much as kids.
Maileg's ethos is simple but profound: create toys so beautiful and enduring that they’ll be passed down through generations, becoming a cherished part of family traditions. In a world of noisy plastic clutter, Maileg offers a quiet invitation to slow down, dream big, and play small.
Halcyon Nights
Inspired by kitchen-table doodles and created by mom-and-artist duo Kym and her daughters, Halcyon Nights (est. ~2021) is Melbourne’s vibrant answer to sustainable kidswear and nursery essentials. With 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton sleepwear, whimsical prints, from dinos to rainbows, and recycled-paper packaging, the brand encourages early bedtime creativity while keeping eco-credentials front and center. Their limited-edition seasonal and museum-collab collections (like Melbourne Museum and GOMA) land in galleries and hearts alike, blending artful storytelling with safe, hypoallergenic textiles and inclusive price points. Even better? Halcyon Nights acknowledges Traditional Custodians and works with Australian and global artists to honor the land and inspire young minds.
Leif
Leif (est. 2011) is Brooklyn’s delightfully curated, women-owned lifestyle boutique founded by Stacy Anne Longenecker. What started as a one-woman “Card Shop” in her apartment evolved into two brick‑and‑mortar locations and a soulful online experience. With a tiny but mighty team, Leif curates homeware, apparel, jewelry, art, paper goods, botanicals, and even in-house candles. Each product; from stone‑washed waffle towels to hand-poured reed diffusers; is selected to spark joy, bring people together, and brighten daily rituals. Despite being small-scale, their ethos is big–on purpose: women-owned and operated, community-driven, and ever-surprising in its range of accessible, standout pieces. Whether it’s a Sisters & Socks refresh or a plant-friendly vase, Leif greets every morning with delight.
Hernán Herdez
Hernán Herdez is a seasonless jewelry label founded by Puerto Rican art director and designer Melissa Hernández. Based in NYC, the brand crafts pieces that blur the line between adornment and art, like fluid signet rings, architectural drop earrings, and sculptural cuffs, handmade by New York silversmiths. Rooted in obscure geometry, Caribbean echoes, and concept-driven visuals, every piece feels enigmatic yet effortlessly wearable. Mindful of the environment, her collections use only recycled metals, making minimalist style sustainable. Whether you're stacking the irregular signet or dangling exquisite pearl cages, Hernán Herdez makes jewelry that lasts for lifetimes, not seasons.
Organic Basics
Organic Basics was born in Copenhagen in 2015, when three friends, Christoffer Immanuel, Mads Fibiger Rasmussen, and Alexander Christiansen, decided to reinvent wardrobe essentials through a sustainability-first lens. Freshly certified B‑Corp in 2017, 1% for the Planet members, and carbon‑neutral thanks to offset initiatives like Turkey’s Koru Wind Farm, they pull no punches with transparency, publishing full Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), Impact Reports, and Meet‑the‑Makers factory features. Designed in Denmark, produced in Europe, and made to last, OB’s range includes underwear, bralettes, activewear, and loungewear; crafted from organic cotton, TENCEL™, recycled nylon, and Responsible Wool Standard fibers. Their sustainability radar? Always on; recycled fabrics, reduced water‑dye houses, co‑op sewing waste repurposed, and traceable, living‑wage factories.
Whether it's your breathable everyday tee or softest-ever bralette (hello, TENCEL Lite), OB makes eco-conscious chic feel effortless; without guilt, guilt trips, or greenwashing.
HARA
HARA, founded in 2016 by Allie Cameron, is a purpose-led, female-owned underwear and loungewear label rooted in natural living and self-care. Crafted from OEKO-TEX® bamboo lyocell, chosen for its softness, hypoallergenic qualities, and eco-credentials, HARA pieces are dyed using GOTS-certified low-impact reactive dyes, ensuring both environmental and skin safety. The brand embraces a seed-to-garment ethos: minimal bootstrapped collections, closed-loop production, and a commitment to 1% for the Planet, making sustainability more than a tagline, it’s a lifestyle. Made in Vietnam under WRAP & BetterWork-certified conditions, HARA customers swear by its comfort, often calling it “like wearing nothing” making it perfect for conscious women who want basics that feel good long after the rinse cycle.
Tiny Cottons
Barcelona’s Tiny Cottons is basically the coolest kids’ brand on the block (or playground). Founded by creative parents in 2012, this label treats children’s clothing with the respect of high fashion – and the humor of, well, childhood. Each season brings quirky prints hand-drawn by artists (think smiling croissants or cheeky slogans) on premium organic cotton fabrics. The silhouettes are comfy and practical, but the design level is off the charts. From babies to big kids, Tiny Cottons outfits are mini works of art that can survive endless play and washing – and still be cute enough to pass down to the next tiny style icon.
Diamond Dream
Diamond Dream Jewelry + Apparel is a hidden gem in Bernardsville, New Jersey, proving you don’t need to trek to Fifth Avenue for a dose of glamour. Family-owned since 1985, this boutique blends high-end jewelry (from custom diamond rings to designer baubles) with chic women’s fashion and accessories. Walking in feels like visiting fashion-savvy friends – you get personal, small-town service amid cases of glittering jewels and racks of elegant apparel. Whether you’re hunting for an engagement ring or a fabulous cashmere wrap, Diamond Dream’s curated selection and warm expertise make the experience special. It’s the local luxe spot that turns “going shopping” into an event.
League of Friends
League of Friends is a New York-based children’s label building a “league” of sustainably dressed little trendsetters. Made from 100% organic Pima cotton (ethically knit in Peru), their clothes are super soft and super tough – surviving wash after wash and roughhousing galore. The designs play with texture and color in a modern way: popcorn-knit cardigans, pom-pom hats, and fun prints that mix and match. Plus, they walk the talk on sustainability with a pre-loved trade-in program to keep pieces in circulation. Founded by a mom with an eco-conscious vision, League of Friends proves that kids’ fashion can be playful, planet-friendly, and built to last, creating a community of families who care.
Hawkins New York
Hawkins New York is a design lover’s paradise offering “luxurious yet lived-in” home goods. Co-founded by a pair of aesthetes inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian design, this Hudson Valley/NYC brand collaborates with artisans worldwide to bring you the ultimate mix of form and function. Stonewashed Belgian linen bedding that gets softer with each snooze, hand-blown glassware in perfect hues, marble and brass accents that spark joy on your shelf – it’s all here. Every item feels intentional and a tad indulgent, but totally usable for everyday life. Hawkins basically said, “your home should look like a boutique hotel and feel like a hug,” and then made it happen.
Holzweiler
Holzweiler is a family-run Norwegian label proving that Scandinavian style can be playful, not just pared-back. Launched with a line of quality scarves in wild prints, the brand quickly expanded into ready-to-wear that blends easy elegance with a dash of whimsy. Think slouchy cashmere sweaters, vibrant raincoats, and tailored trousers – all with that Nordic knack for simplicity and function. Holzweiler’s pieces are future-facing (they love sustainable materials) yet rooted in everyday wearability. It’s the kind of clothing you’ll throw on in the morning and feel instantly put-together, whether you’re roaming Oslo’s streets or just running for coffee.
Okej
Okej Studio is a Swedish-American design duo bringing ultra-modern whimsy to home furnishings. Best known for their wavy “squiggle” rugs, Okej’s creations defy convention with bold shapes and punchy colors that instantly liven up any space. Founded in 2020 by a Swedish designer and her American engineer husband, the studio treats homeware like artwork – each rug, mirror, or chair is meant to be a standout piece. Yet they never sacrifice function: their plush wool rugs are as cozy underfoot as they are eye-catching. With Okej, minimal Scandinavian design gets a fun, funky twist, proving that clean lines and playful curves can happily coexist.
Donni
DONNI (short for founder Alyssa’s late father, Donald) has been serving up “comfy chic” long before sweatpants were high fashion. Born in Los Angeles in 2009, this female-founded brand started with snugly scarves and grew into a full collection of elevated everyday essentials. Each piece – from waffle-knit sweats to breezy button-ups – is designed to be easy to wear, hard to take off (their words and every customer’s sentiment). Everything is made locally in LA with high-quality fabrics and a whole lot of love. They even plant a tree for every order placed, because looking good and doing good should go hand in hand. If you’ve ever wanted to stay in pajamas all day and still look fabulous, DONNI has you covered (literally).
The NKC Store
The NKC Store is a Dallas-based boutique where everyday fashion gets an eclectic upgrade. Launched in 2012 by a style-savvy founder, this Asian-owned shop specializes in wardrobe staples with a twist. Think easy-going dresses, chic co-ords, and streetwear-inspired separates that are totally wearable and packed with personality (a classic tee with avant-garde sleeves, anyone?). Many pieces are designed and made in South Korea, infusing that coveted K-fashion edge into the mix of globally curated brands. The vibe is modern sophistication meets fun-loving flair, so whether you’re dressing for work or the weekend, NKC’s got something that will make you feel confidently out of the ordinary.
The Primary Essentials
The Primary Essentials is the Brooklyn shop where mundane meets magical. This independent boutique (opened by tastemaker Lauren Snyder) elevates primary essentials of daily living through exquisite design. Shelves are lined with things like hand-thrown ceramics, small-batch apothecary goods, linen kitchen towels, and coffee table books – each item carefully chosen to bring beauty to routine. The style is minimal but warm, with an emphasis on craftsmanship and materials that age gracefully. Whether you’re picking up a scented candle or a stoneware mug, you know it’s going to become your new favorite thing. It’s everyday living, but profoundly prettier.
Koko Momo
Koko Momo is the L.A. kids’ brand for tiny humans with big style. Created by photographer-turned-mom Monroe Alvarez, it delivers retro-inspired, oversized silhouettes that let kids be comfy and quirky all at once. Think ’70s-esque graphic tees, slouchy sweaters in ice-cream colors, and the softest fabrics your kid will ever wear (cue the tantrums when it’s laundry day). Each piece is ethically made in Los Angeles with a slow-fashion mindset, so those cool prints and playful cuts come guilt-free. Designed for kiddos “who were never meant to blend in,” Koko Momo ensures your mini style icon stands out on the playground—in the best way possible.
Upton
Upton is a Southern California design studio on a mission to blur the line between home goods and art. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Michael and Mariel Upton, this artist-owned brand creates everything from modern wall hangings and “please-step-on-me” woven rugs to funky wine racks and sculptural lamps. Each piece is designed in-house with an eye for quality and a love for the perfectly imperfect, so you’re getting gallery-worthy craftsmanship minus the snooty vibes. Upton believes home is a sacred space and that everyday objects should spark joy – whether it’s an abstract print that ties the room together or a cool record stand that shows off your vinyl and your style. Live with beauty every day? Don’t mind if we do.
WMS&CO
WMS&CO. (short for Williams & Co.) transforms your work desk into a style statement. This NYC-based studio creates exquisitely crafted desk accessories – think weighty brass pens, minimalist rubber stamps, leather-bound notebooks – all with a touch of old-school elegance. Founded by a designer duo with a passion for heritage design, WMS&CO. believes even a paper clip can (and should) be beautiful. Their collection blends form and function seamlessly, making everyday tools feel special. If you geek out over the feel of good paper or the click of a fine pen, welcome to your personal heaven – where design snobbery meets productivity.