5 UNDER-THE-RADAR EMERGING FASHION BRANDS TO ADD TO YOUR CLOSET — AND HOW TO STYLE
Style lives in the in-between moments, the hours between meetings, the pauses before dinner, the walks between cities. Some of the most exciting European emerging brands have found their way into our wardrobe — from office hours to dressed-up plans.
You know the feeling: when fast fashion no longer inspires and mainstream luxury starts to feel too familiar. That’s when you reach for something new — high quality, thoughtfully designed, and actually worth wearing.
Worn and noted by Balcone’s founder, Naz.
(Things I wear when I’m in the middle of doing things)
You know that feeling when you pack for two weeks and somehow end up wearing the same three things over and over? That’s me — and those things usually come from Balcone.
Lately, I’ve been splitting time between Singapore’s humidity and Europe’s indecisive spring, so getting dressed has been about finding pieces that can do both: the heat and the hustle, the quiet mornings and long evenings, the airport sprints and dinner reservations I didn’t make.
Most of what I’ve been reaching for are brands I curated not just because they’re visually strong, but because they feel right on. There’s a difference — and it matters. Here’s what I’ve been wearing, how I’ve been styling it, and a few thoughts on why these brands made it into Balcone in the first place.
Naz is wearing KUUN STUDIO TOP ON SET.
Naz is wearing DEFAÏENCE SILVER GREEN HOOPS.
Naz is wearing LEA ROESCH BAG IN SINGAPORE.
If you've seen me more than once this month, you’ve probably seen me wearing Defaïence’s silver green hoops. I wear them when I want my look to feel done but not obvious. The kind of earring that reads as intentional even when I’m half-distracted. The green-silver glint picks up on small details — pink in my hair, a full black look.
They also weigh nothing (which is one of my favorite things, especially on a long day). Which matters when you’ve been talking to five people in three time zones, sweating, rushing, and forgetting where you put your phone.
The Kuun Studio fanila top found its place in my wardrobe as part of my everyday uniforms. When I first discovered the brand, I wore it for the first time during Milan Fashion Week — and later on, at our very first campaign shoot. I was somewhere between stylist, founder, and set runner — adjusting straps, checking angles, dodging garment steam. This top was one of the only things I didn’t have to think about.
It’s the kind of basic that quietly shows its design — it’s comfortable with a stretchy material, yet it still looks polished. I don’t have to worry about the rest, as I feel effortlessly stylish even when I’m working and hustling. You can wear it to a client meeting or to get dumplings. I’ve done both, multiple times.
Naz is wearing KUUN STUDIO TOP and JUPITER RING DURING MILAN FASHION WEEK, SS24.
Naz is wearing DEFAÏENCE HOOPS and JUPITER RING DURING MILAN FASHION WEEK FW25. KANG DOMENICO IS ON THE RIGHT.
ON THE LEFT Naz is wearing COPERNI TOP LEA ROESCH BAG AND JUPTER RING. ON THE RIGHT KETTEL ATELIER LACE TOP AND LACE GREY SKIRT.
Lately, I’ve been wearing Jupiter blue ring — polished, weighty, with a saturated tone that somehow works with everything. Whether it’s a full black look or a pink Marine Serre top, it adds a playful contrast that pulls the outfit together. It’s become one of those finishing touches I reach for when I want the styling to feel elevated, but never overdone.
If you're looking to introduce more colour into your wardrobe but aren't sure how, start with jewelry. A bold ring is one of the easiest ways to experiment — subtle enough to layer in, striking enough to shift the mood of an entire look.
I’m not really a switch-your-bag-every-day person. The tote from Lea Roesch is one that stayed with me through most of the past few weeks — from the streets of downtown Singapore to indoor marathons of back-to-back calls.
It looks structured but moves with you. Can handle a laptop, receipts, three kinds of lip balm, and a bottle of water. And yes — it’s waterproof. I found that out the hard way during a 4pm downpour. Not a single thing inside got wet. And it doesn’t feel sweaty under your arm — an important point when you’re living in the tropics.
Some days move quickly — errands, meetings, and everything in between — and the way you get dressed has to keep up. Kettel Atelier’s lace pieces layered over loose denim brought the right balance: slightly sheer, slightly unexpected (not sure if my mom would have approved), but effortless in a way that works for city life. There’s something quiet about Kettle’s designs. Feminine without being delicate. Intentional without feeling too polished. A kind of softness that holds its own through a full day.
Mixing brands, styles, and colors has always been part of how I approach dressing — not to follow trends, but to follow instinct. I’m drawn to pieces that work together in unexpected ways, where luxury sits alongside high-quality emerging labels. It’s not about fitting in or making a statement, but about confidence and ease — wearing what feels right, not what’s expected.
So that’s a bit of what I’ve been wearing lately — off-set, off-camera, in between the doing and building. These pieces aren’t styled for content. They’re worn, lived in, and re-worn.
If anything here inspires your next outfit or sparks an idea, I’m happy. And if that also helps you figure out what to wear tomorrow, even better :)
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