Here's Where Nordstrom Is Hiding All the Fashion-With-a-Capital-F Brands

In case you’ve ever wondered why we write so many Nordstrom-centered stories around here, the answer is simple: Our readers love to shop there. Recently, I took a deep dive into the most popular brands at the retailer, which included heavyweights like Gucci, Ugg, and Nike. But Nordstrom also stocks cool on-the-rise brands that only fashion-obsessed shoppers know about. They’re all hiding in Nordstrom’s section called Space: Emerging and Advanced Designers.

In this section of Nordstrom’s website, you’ll find a mix of edgy brands you haven’t heard of, Copenhagen Fashion Week darlings, and established brands that haven’t quite made it to the mainstream conversation yet. Scroll down to shop my very favorite pieces from the Space section.

Area is already a favorite of fashion editors and celebrities alike, but it hasn’t achieved widespread brand recognition beyond industry insiders quite yet—but it’s well on its way.

Cecilie Bahnsen is one of the most famous brands to come out of Copenhagen, but Nordstrom is offering a platform to a much wider audience than ever before. The brand just released a new Encore collection with Nordstrom, which sees Bahnsen giving new life to fabric from past seasons with the goal of making fashion more sustainable.

One look at Kathryn Bowen’s sultry pieces, and you’ll see why I’ve dubbed her a fashion-with-a-capital-F brand. She masterfully uses sheer fabric and cutouts to create the ultimate night-out wardrobe.

Collina Strada is already a favorite at New York Fashion Week, but it’s poised to become even more popular in 2022 thanks to its signature tie-dye designs and fun prints.

Stand Studio is another one of my favorite brands to see at Copenhagen Fashion Week. The label is particularly adept at coats and bags, so I expect that these pieces will sell insanely fast.

I love Yanyan’s homemade, patchwork quality. The brand definitely has a sense of humor and loves designing pieces that have an arts-and-crafts vibe.

Totême is a Swedish brand by Elin Kling that has quickly become a go-to for fashion editors. The pieces are definitely pricey, but they are so classic that you’ll end up owning them for decades to come.

Sunnei has a fun mix of innovative knits and cool jewelry that I can’t wait to try. The pieces are so colorful and fun yet wearable at the same time.

Fun fact: Dauphinette uses real flowers in its jewelry and accessories. The flowers are pressed and preserved in resin before they’re turned into earrings, bags, and more. How cool is that?

Fashion people already know and love Ekahus Latta, but exposure on Nordstrom’s website is sure to propel the brand to greater heights. I particularly love the brand’s sweaters this season.