The UK has always been one of the countries leading the way in fashion. Here are 15 British clothing brands you should know.
British music and fashion have always left their fingerprints on the world, with acts like The Beatles and the Rolling Stones rising to global dominance for decades. Meanwhile, designers and fashion houses like Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, and Burberry having been doing the same from magazine covers to the runway.
The UK continues grow its influence, but it’s a lot more diverse, both in style and culture. There’s the popularity of shows like Top Boy and artists like Central Cee which have brough UK culture and slang to the world. There’s also the rise of streetwear, performance wear, and designers of color.
So here are 15 British clothing brands you should know in no particular order.
11 DEGREES
Founded by Andy Hayton, 11 Degrees is a British men’s and women’s urban street, gym and loungewear brand. The brand was co-founded by Gaz Beadle from the reality TV show Geordie Shore who was the face of the brand.
According to the company, they’re all about comfort (but not a lazy comfort). They have slim fitting hoodies and joggers, underwear, activewear, as well as jackets for when it gets cold. The designs are timeless so they won’t be going out of style any time soon.
HOODRICH
Hoodrich is one of the more well-known British streetwear brands. You can see their pieces being worn all over the United States and Canada. While they have some slim fitting track suits, they also have an aesthetic that is very North American as well.
The brand was founded in 2014 by Jay Williams, and was built on a passion for underground streetwear and music. The brand was founded with only £200 (almost $250 USD just over $340 CAD) giving birth to the company’s motto “from nothing to something”.
As you’d expect from the name, the men’s aesthetic is gritty while still promoting quality. They have hoodies, joggers and accessories like gloves and mini-bags for the men and cropped tops, hoodies, cropped hoodies and joggers for women.
ACE & PRINCE
Ace & Prince was founder in 2018 by London-based stylist, Chloe Forde. According to the designer herself, “A&P was born out of an appreciation for all things beautiful and a love of art, style, design and homeware.”
There’s a simplicity, timelessness, and effortless cool to Forde’s pieces, which include accessories, bags, t-shirts, hoodies, shorts, button-down shirts, and kids wear.
JAWARA ALLEYNE
Hailing from Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, Jawara Alleyne is a London-based artist, creative director and educator whose work is rooted in identity.
In a relatively short period of time, Alleyne already has an impressive résumé. He graduated with a Masters in Design from Central Saint Martins in 2020 and holds a Bachelor of the Arts in Fashion Design and Marketing from London College of Fashion, and a degree in Business Administration from University College of the Cayman Islands.
Alleyne launched his company in 2021, counting Bajan global icon and business mogul, Rihanna, among those who have fallen in love his designs. Designed with sustainability in mind, his pieces including one-off t-shirts, as well as a a Spring/Summer 2025 collection which features colorful pieces for men and women that drape over, yet compliment and highlight, the body.
FULLYPAID
Next up in FULLYPAID. Their philosophy “Believe in hustle” says it all. According to the company, they’re “aiming for worldwide streetwear giant status.”
The UK streetwear brand has a variety of hoodies, joggers, and jerseys for both men and women. The message of “Fullypaid Dreams”, found on some of their beanies and hoodies, is a message anyone on their grind would be proud to wear.
MKI MIYUKI ZOKU
Founded in 2010 by British Creative Director, Vik Tailor, MKI MIYUKI ZOKU is a contemporary menswear brand which defies the trend of having to pay top dollar for high quality clothing. The brand, known for outerwear, including leather jackets, bombers, and faux alpaca, as well as hoodies, joggers, beanies, and other small merchandise, is all about being community and affordability.
Their names from a youth tribe formed in Ginza, Japan on Miyuki Street in 1964. This group, who challenged the status quo at the time, espoused a forward thinking and revolutionary approach to dress. MKI MIYUKI ZOKU‘s designs are clean and as timeless as the ideology which continues to guide them today.
HERA
Hera was founded in 2015, after the founders saw a gap in the denim market for a new kind of product―the spray-on skinny jean, with celebrities like Lewis Hamilton, Hailey Bieber and Brooklyn Beckham taking to the product.
Today, they offer everything from denim jeans and denim jackets, to hoodies and t-shirts.
MAISON BENT
Founded in 2010 by British Creative Director, Vik Tailor, MKI MIYUKI ZOKU is contemporary menswear brand which defies the trend of having to pay top dollar for high quality clothing. The brand, known for outerwear, including leather jackets, bombers, and faux alpaca, as well as hoodies, joggers, beanies, and other small merchandise, is all about being community and affordability.
Their names from a youth tribe formed in Ginza, Japan on Miyuki Street in 1964. They espoused a forward thinking and revolutionary approach to dress. Their designs are clean and as timeless as the ideology which continues to guide them today.
NICCE
Founded in 2013 in East London, NICCE is celebrating 10 years on the scene. Their motto is “Inspired by street culture” and they credit community with being central to their brand and success.
They have the usual suspects, like hoodies, t-shirts and jackets, but their ersa vest and bumbag are pretty simple yet dope.
FORTY
Glasgow, Scotland isn’t the first place you think of what you think about fashion, especially streetwear, but one company is changing that. Founded in 2014 in Glasgow by Gordon Harry Miller, Forty’s motto “Believe in Everything” was inspired by Miller’s three year-old son. The brand is about creativity, inspiration and quality and we see that in the designs.
They have too many fire items to highlight, but their graphics tees and bags are standout items.
Not to play favorites, but this is our favorite brand on the this list.
FARAI LONDON
Founded by London-based designer, Mary-Ann Msengi, Farai London has gone from humble beginnings in Msengi’s one bedroom apartment, to being worn by celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion.
Their pieces include sexy, vibrant, and colorful print dresses and co-ords that hug the body. According to Farai London, they believe in the transformative power of color—”a philosophy that transcends mere fashion to become a way of life”.
But behind the vibrancy and sexiness, there’s a deeper purpose. The pieces are designed to empower, build confidence and an adventurous spirit, celebrate uniqueness, while allowing those who wear them to have “undeniable presence”.
CASELY-HAYFORD
Casely-Hayford was founded by Joseph Ephraim Casely-Hayford OBE, one of Britain’s leading womenswear and menswear designers. Unfortunately, he lost his three-year battle with cancer in January 2019, but the brand he created continues to live on.
Blending sophistication and simplicity, their pieces include crew neck cotton and merino wool jumpers, wool suits, cotton t-shirts, knitted polo shirts, and collared shirts, as well as made-to-order pieces.
A-COLD-WALL
London-based A-COLD-WALL* (also known as ACW) is different than the other brands on our list. They are a minimalist, elevated, luxury streetwear brand and their clothing look like pieces of art. They draw from a variety of inspirations, from industrial design to material innovation.
According to their vision, A-COLD-WALL offers “a commentary on equality, engagement and the collective experience, thereby, bringing discussion on the civic duty of design into focus within present day society.” Clothing with a message. Super deep.
They have a variety of items and collections for different moods, as well as previous collaborations with Nike and Timberland to name a few. They really are high fashion meets with streetwear; like something out of the mind of Kanye West himself.
PLACES+FACES
Celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2023, Places+Faces is a London-based streetwear brand. They even sell magazines and books showing that for Places+Faces, it’s not just about clothing; it’s about culture and lifestyle.
They’ve gained a cult following for their approach to minimalist and functional design. The brand is known for its signature cross-body bags, graphic tees that feature its iconic logo, as well as a sneaker collab with Reebok.
MA.STRUM
Founded in London and owned by John Sharp as of 2014, MA.Strum exists at the intersection of fashion and function, offering t-shirts, sweatshirt and knitwear. Still, performance outerwear is where they shine. They have down coats and parkas if you’re not opposed to buying a winter jacket online.
Former stylist, Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s Toronto-based editor and Senior Arts & Entertainment Reporter focusing on Black music, film & TV, and fashion. He was named one of 300 international voters for the 81st Golden Globe Awards by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
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