Pieces to Elevate Your Style

In the fashion calendar, Spring typically ushers in an influx of florals, pastels, higher hemlines, and lighter fabrics on the runways. And year after year, we are presented with some new version or fresh interpretation of these design details. As the season’s collections are sent down the runways, fashion designers, editors, and creative directors weave resonant narratives that underscore Spring’s current mood and temperament. This year, for instance, themes like soft power, a return to nostalgia, and the art of self-expression serve as common threads that tie together the macro and micro trends of Spring 2025.

Also this season, a handful of independent, conscious labels are showing mastery in creating pieces that are both of-the-moment and evergreen. While their new offerings sync with Spring’s biggest trends, these under-the-radar makers and artists remain committed to crafting garments, accessories, and other fashion accoutrements that last beyond the season of blooms. Here, a round up of Spring’s biggest trends and the sustainable brands that are interpreting them in the most exciting ways.

Spring Trend #1: Artisanal Prints and Nautical Stripes

Add nautical stripes and artisanal patterns by Heirlome to your style repertoire this Spring. The brand, founded by Stephanie Suberville and Jeffrey Axford highlights the “forgotten traditions” of Mexico and Latin America by collaborating with artisans from the region. The result, a collection of contemporary, stand out pieces that fuse weaving, embroidery, pattern and print making with the precision tailoring.

Spring Trend #2: Sheer Layers

Balance out structured jackets, skirts and trousers with sheer. Take your queue from New York based responsible womenswear brand, Maria McManus. The brand presents a modern interpretation of soft power through tulle, silk, shredded cotton, and organza applications, juxtaposing these diaphanous, delicate fabrics against boxy blazers and rigidly tailored coats. Pieces from the brand were made using less water and fewer chemicals.

Spring Trend #3: Back In The Garden of Embellishments

The revival of embellishments and crafty details like macrame, appliqués, and botanical embroidery is a strong indication that a more playful and vibrant season is upon us. For fashion cognoscenti this is a refreshing departure from quiet luxury inclinations–and and overdue return into the arms of maximalism. Filipino contemporary wear designer, Jor-El Espina, makes a strong case for making embellishments look current and young in his resort and swim collection. He utilizes precious tropical fabrics like piña and silk cocoon as the canvas. Through intricate floral embroidery or mother-of-pearl embellishments, Jor-El tells the vibrant stories of coastal life in the Philippines. The designer from Iloilo is known for working mostly with local fabrics which he has handpicked and collected throughout the course of his career.

Spring Trend #4: Statement Jewelry

The “more is more” mindset that helped to shape the Spring collections also indicates that now is the time to invest in statement jewelry. Khepri Jewels creates modern-day talismans that inspire free expression through precious metals and gems. The brand’s signature Thorne Cuffs mimics organic forms in nature, made extra precious by rare cut emeralds and diamonds.

Moved by jewelry’s ability to inspire, transform, and empower, Nigora Tokhtabayeva founded Tabayer in 2021. The ethical brand has since developed and grown its maiden collection, Oera, around the idea of jewelry as protective amulets. The Oera Edition 04 is a rare statement piece made of Fairmined 18k gold. The coil-like neckpiece is adorned with ethically sourced red jasper, sapphires and diamonds.

Spring Trend #5: Pleats Throughout History

Pleats immediately lend layers of depth and dimension to any garment. This time-honored technique of folding fabric is rooted in the ancient ancient civilizations of Rome, Egypt and Greece. Throughout history, the distinctive design detail has brought an air of nobility, authority and affluence to garments. For Spring 2025, pleats are back on rotation. And when it comes to wearing pleats, look no further than J’amemme. The “prêt-à-pleat” brand explores the concept of movement and lightness through intricately folded halter tops, matching sets, and flow-y dresses.

Spring Trend #6: Retro Footwear

Retro footwear that include boat shoes, vintage-inspired sneakers, and loafers are inspiring the well heeled set to take a stroll down memory lane. At ATP Atelier, top siders are the shoes of the moment. Better known by the smart luxury brand as The Nesso Boat Shoe, this retro accessory features contrast stitching on finely grained leather.

Like boat shoes, loafers are also having a big fashion moment. Nomasei’s Nono Loafer is a sartorial nod to the popular slip-on shoe made popular in the 30s and worn by many college students in the 50s and 60s. This modernized version features multiple color ways on up-cycled calf leather. The loafer is handcrafted by artisans of Montopoli in Tuscany.

Danish label anonymous breathes Scandinavian minimalism to the classic spring/summer sandal. The B-Corp certified maker follows resource-efficient and environmentally responsible practices in crafting its signature suede accessories. The unique finish and texture of the Sophie sandal is ideal to wear from day to night. It also comes in a wide range of colors from metallic tones to berry hues. Shoes from anonymous also feature Thunit soles which are RCS blended, incorporating 10% recycled materials.

Kiana Ghavidel has created the only dressy shoe you will ever need this Spring: the Banu Slingback. This understated, versatile piece is made of pony hair leather and features a boxy almond toe. The sleek silhouette of the shoe echoes the overall temperament of the season–quiet strength, sensuality, and effortless sophistication.

Spring Trend #6: Anatomy of the Functional Bag

Bags for Spring are all about function and serving the multifaceted woman. Roomy and sometimes slouchy handbags in soft suede are the undisputed style essentials of the season–at least as far as the consummate bag lover is concerned. More playful options include the use of bright colors and touches of craft.

Helen Kaminsky is at the forefront of everything stylish and made using raffia. The 40-year-old brand’s breakthrough was in the 80s when its Classic 5 raffia hat first appeared in the pages of Vogue. In the decades following, Kaminsky went on to expand into bags and other accessories. By 2021, a village artisan shop was established in Sri Lanka where handcrafted basket bags like the Lipari L Tote and Aquarius Hobo are made.

Kyiv-based luxury leather accessories brand, JUNA, hones in on the idea of work-life integration with the launch of “Feelings.” This clever edit of functional bags focuses on designs that support active, multifaceted lifestyles without compromising on style. Key pieces from the collection include the Bliss and Desire bags–in brown suede, no less.

Lindquist is an artist-driven lifestyle brand that prides itself for working exclusively with naturally-dyed leather. Pieces lovingly crafted inside its East Providence studio are regarded as functional, everyday art objects, “designed to be with you for the long haul, developing character alongside you through a lifetime of use.” The Ama, named after the women free divers of Japan, is the ideal bucket tote sized to carry all your daily essentials from sun-up to sun down. Practical features integrated into its minimalist design include: double oval handles, drop pockets and slots for cards. The tote also comes in the season’s striking hues: turquoise, ultramarine, and chartreuse.