Before ever stepping foot in the US I used to wonder - “why do so many musicians write about California?” The West Coast state has mystified for decades - flooding the minds of foreigners with glistening oceanscape visuals, sun-drunk psychedelia and surfing.
The once-countercultural mecca continues to entices musicians, artists and actors alike - all of whom dream of making it big in The City of Angels. From the late 1960s Laurel Canyon scene to the 90s skate movement and modern day influencer culture (think overpriced Erewhon smoothies and Alo Yoga sets), Los Angeles has always toyed with style - reflecting both the zeitgeist and political climate of the colourful, sprawling metropolis.
Hence, the city has always been a cultural force. Yet, it’s never been considered a fashion stronghold. Consistently compared to its luxury powerhouse counterpart New York, LA is often viewed as the birthplace of gym leggings, blonde highlights and bikinis - a city unable to stir up enough sartorial excitement to move past the Valley Girl stereotype.
That was until recently. Earlier this month, Jonathan Anderson hosted Dior’s 2027 Cruise collection fashion show at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in Los Angeles. Stars including Miley Cyrus, Sabrina Carpenter, Anya Taylor-Joy and Mikey Madison took their place on the designers front row, waiting to see what the Irish visionary had conjured up in the studio for the upcoming season.
© Imaxtree
Anderson’s chosen location follows an uptake in designer interest in the city - with Demna also selecting LA to debut his Balenciaga pre-fall 2024 runway offering. Clad in Y2K activewear and bright hues, models sashayed down the palm tree-lined runway - South Windsor Boulevard - a street that boasts a famously uninterrupted view of the Hollywood sign.
The stats speak for themselves. According to one 2026 report, there are approximately 2.4 million manufacturing jobs and 44,200 retail trade jobs in apparel and accessories in Los Angeles County, in addition to the famed Fashion District’s estimated 1,200-plus businesses and tens of thousands of workers. The city is something of a dark horse when it comes to fashion consumption and production, home to an immense fashion ecosystem.
Set against the backdrop of Hollywood with content creators keeping the landscape abuzz with commercial potential, Los Angeles is rocketing up the ranks as a fashion capital to watch. Discover our favourite LA-based brands below.
Best LA-based brands to shop:
Reformation
Leading the charge for Californian brands is none other than Reformation. Founded in 2009 by Yael Aflalo in Los Angeles, Reformation is a cult-favourite women's fashion brand celebrated for combining sensual vintage aesthetics with a strict commitment to sustainability. Think uber-feminine prints, fluid drapery and the most perfect wedding guest dresses on the market.
DÔEN
Beloved by stars including Kaia Gerber, Dakota Johnson, Taylor Swift and Camila Morrone, DÔEN is a Los Angeles-based, female-founded fashion brand famous for its vintage-infused, 'cottagecore' aesthetic. The label has a massive major cool-girl following among A-list celebrities, editors, and fashion insiders for its ethereal dresses and romantic garments that continue to top our wish list.
AGOLDE
Denim fiends, look no further than AGOLDE. The label celebrates all-things Americana, and has evolved into a denim favourite for its directional silhouettes, premium craftsmanship and consciously minded production. Combining innovative fabrics with impeccably tested fits, the label champions lower-impact manufacturing techniques and sustainable design practices. The best jeans around town, trust us.
Eckhaus Latta
Runway veterans will understand the hold Eckhaus Latta has on the sustainable fashion market. The bicoastal (New York and Los Angeles) fashion label was founded in 2011 by designers Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta - and is known for its experimental approach to fabrics, gender-neutral designs, and wholly inclusive runway casting. Expect vibrant hues, and unconventional textures from deconstructed knitwear to dyed denim.
Made Some
Introducing Made Some, the sun-soaked sportswear brand to keep firmly on your 2026 radar. Founded in 2020 by Los Angeles-based creative director Madelyn Somers, the brand celebrates the theme of travel via luxurious, vintage-inspired silhouettes that are set to delight street style aficionados.
Blondita
Y2K slogans, kitschy prints from polka dots to stripes and youthquake colours form the foundation of Blondita's designs. Founded in Los Angeles by designer Angela Ruis, Blondita is adored by creatives and offers limited-edition drops, playful craftsmanship and statement pieces that ooze cool-girl irreverence.
Charlie Beads
Founded by stylist and model Charlie Hourston, Charlie Beads transforms deadstock fabrics into sentimental, heirloom-inspired pieces designed for everyday wear. Produced locally in Los Angeles, the label merges vintage charm with modern ease, championing small-batch craftsmanship, conscious production and sweetheart details that feel both timeless and distinctly It-girl-coded.
Inamorata
Founded by the one and only Emily Ratajkowski, Inamorata acts as a sartorial love letter to the model's Californian upbringing. Shop cheeky-cut bikinis brimming with flair, spanning kitschy polka dot prints, floral motifs and citrus-inspired hues that are set to turn heads the beach. Safe to say, Inamorata has your sensual swimwear collection covered.
Lisa Says Gah
Oh, how we love Lisa Says Gah. This independent fashion brand and e-commerce platform - founded by Lisa Bühler in 2015 - is not to be slept on. Known for its whimsy, retro, and vibrant prints, the brand platforms adorable, ethically produced, artist-designed clothing - curating Californian community around joyful, memorable personal style.
Maya Brenner
Beloved by stars from Meghan Markle to Katy Perry, Maya Brenner boasts a glittering clientele that perfectly mirrors the timeless beauty of its jewels. Raised in the Seventies in Berkley, the designer gleans inspiration from her West Coast upbringing when creating her collections - with treasures including The Original Asymmetrical Letter Necklace being notable standouts.
Miaou
Gen Z shopeprs will likely have heard of Miaou - the party-ready Los Angeles-based contemporary womenswear label founded in 2016 by designer Alexia Elkaim. Named after the French word for "meow", the summer-infused brand is best known for its body-hugging trousers, signature corset tops, and figure-flattering mesh fits.
