Brands Making Bold Moves in 2025

Fashion’s landscape is evolving fast—brands big and small are redefining style, sustainability, and innovation this year. Here’s a spotlight on six brands making waves across design, ethics, and entrepreneurship.

1. Urban Luxe Brand (Cincinnati, OH)

What’s up? This local boutique, founded by Cincinnati native Sophia Blasi, is growing from an OTR favorite into a regional trendsetter. With a downtown brick‑and‑mortar on Vine Street, it offers timeless, youthful pieces handpicked for quality and inclusivity.

Why it matters:

• Thoughtful curation: classic, modern styles with a youthful twist

• Community‑driven: shop drop‑offs earn 20% off next purchase

• Consistent in‑store updates with seasonal collections and accessories

  
  

Urban Luxe proves small brands can scale ethically and stylishly—no fast fashion required.

2. FERA

What’s up? Focused on natural fabrics, and production processes, FERA has mastered their niche. Gaining style inspiration from world-travels, they embrace aesthetics of other countries including Japan, Sweden and Spain

Why it matters:

• Very intentional with fashion choices, originally worked within a corporate background

• Focuses on clothing as art, not as disposable pieces

• Embraces cultural diversity by utilizing different countries passions like Japanese and denim

3. Emulate Envy

What’s up? Founded by former corporate leader turned style visionary Hollie Lippmeier, Emulate Envy is more than just a thrift store—it’s a journey toward bold self-expression and empowered living. Blending curated vintage finds with a mission to inspire confidence and individuality, the brand encourages customers to level up through style. Emulate Envy delivers more than fashion—it delivers a mindset shift rooted in authenticity, self-love, and fearless reinvention.

Why it matters:

• Fuses fashion with personal growth—centering confidence and good energy

• Encourages fearless style through bold, one-of-a-kind accessories

• Positions fashion as a tool for transformation and daily empowerment

4. Miista (London-Based Footwear)

What’s up? Miista is thriving amid industry turbulence by staying true to its roots: Scandinavian craftsmanship and Aragon heritage. With 70% of sales now direct-to-consumer, it's expanding clothing lines and building tech-enabled production facilities.

Why it matters:

• DTC growth drives margins and deeper customer connections

• Quality-focused local manufacturing enhances sustainability

• Community pop-ups and feedback-driven releases build brand intimacy

  
  

5. Virgio (India-Based DTC Apparel)

What’s up? Once fast-fashion–heavy, Virgio has reshaped itself into a sustainability-first brand. From labelling itself vegan to returning investor capital, the brand's pivot speaks volumes

Why it matters:

• Earned PETA’s “Vegan Fashion Brand of the Year”

• Investing in natural fibers and circular models

• Expanding from e-commerce to brick-and-mortar—while keeping sustainability central

  
  

6. Puma Brand

What’s up? Puma keeps building its eco-cred. They dropped kangaroo leather, introduced K‑BETTER recycled uppers, and are amplifying Gen Z voices via their “Voices of a Re:Generation” initiative

Why it matters:

• Dominates the sustainability conversation with public eco-commitments

• Highly transparent and ranked among the world’s most sustainable brands

• Engaging next-gen leadership ensures long-term cultural alignment

  
  

7. Ganni

What’s up? The Danish fashion label is going hard on sustainability. From Ganni Repeat rental pop-ups to plant-based leather and size-inclusive lines, they're reshaping brand perception

Why it matters:

• Circular: rent, return, recycle—across Europe and the US

• Ethical materials: winemaking byproduct leathers, abandoning virgin leather

• Transparency: supply chain info plus in-store repair options

  
  

8. Marine Serre

What’s up? Parisian eco-futurist Marine Serre keeps challenging luxury norms by fashioning couture from recycled fabrics and deadstock—with a 70-person team backing true regeneration.

Why it matters:

• Couture-level design meets true environmental ethics

• Brand grows by demonstrating high impact, low waste production

• Sets the bar for luxury sustainability

  
  

♻️ What Unites Them: Trends in Focus

Trend	How It Shows Up
Sustainability	Circular practices, recycled/vegan materials, repair & rental programs
Direct-to-consumer	Control of sales funnel (Miista, Virgio)
Community building	Pop-up experiences, local engagement, co-creative feedback
Transparency	Open about materials, sources, and production methods

✔️ Takeaway: Style + Substance Win

From a local boutique in Cincy to global houses like Puma and Marine Serre, fashion’s future is being written by brands that value:

• Quality over quantity

• Environmental responsibility

• Community and consumer connection

  
  

These are the trailblazers proving that business success and positive impact can thrive together.

Inspired by these brands? Show us your favorite sustainable fit or find—tag @therynapp on Instagram to spread the glow-up. 🌟