Trust Me—These New Accessories Brands Are Going to Blow Up

It's embarrassing to squeal on public transport, but that's what happens when I fall into an Instagram hole and come out the other side with the knowledge of a new brand. You'd think this fashion business was saturated with greatness by now, but no—the newness keeps on coming, and I can't help but fall in love.

As someone who finds it difficult to find clothes that fit (being short and curvy means I have to shop more strategically), I'm always keen on uncovering new accessories to make some trusty old clothes zing. So that's why I'm letting you in on a little secret—well, eight, to be exact. Keep reading to see the hot-of-the-production-line accessory brands I'm into right now. Feel free to tell your fashionable friends about them—I don't need the credit. I do need those hair clips, however.

FOR AFFORDABLE BAGS: C.NICOL 

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(Image credit: @stylememos)

Say the words "affordable designer handbags" and our entire team is there in a flash. We first started to notice C.Nicol coming to the fore during February's fashion weeks, but now the British brand is picking up a major pace and being spotted on so many of the girls we love to follow (like Alexis of Style Memos pictured above). Accessible price tags, great quality, super-simple silhouettes that you'll never get bored of toting around… Count us in.

FOR EYEWEAR: GREY ANT

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

It's hard to choose whether I like the opticals or the sunglasses more from the ultra-cool eyewear brand Grey Ant. What's great is that the brand produces limited quantities that are made to the highest spec in Japan and Italy. The label's silhouettes and finishes really aren't for the shy and retiring out there—hence the kind of celebrity fans (hi, Solange!) it's already gathering.

Related: Summer 2018 Fashion Trends: The Only Looks You Need to Know

FOR HAIR ACCESSORIES: PICO

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(Image credit: @hannamw)

There are few things Scandi girls (such as Hanna, pictured above) like more right now than old-school hairclips. Tracking these girls and their hair accessorising movements on Instagram has led me to a delightfully cheap Danish accessories label specialising in just the thing: Introducing Pico, my new obsession.

FOR FLATS: YUUL YIE

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(Image credit: @hannahalmassi)

Fancy flats were never my thing—until Korean footwear brand Yuul Yie came along. But when they're slingbacks with a slightly elevated heel and embellished with pearl and metal detailing… well, that's a very different story.

FOR JEWELLERY: MERCEDES SALAZAR

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(Image credit: @amandanorgaard_)

If you like your earrings to be fun (with a capital F), then have I got the label for you. Mercedes Salazar is the Colombian jewellery designer who has your entire summer wardrobe wrapped up—literally with a cherry on top. Think jazzy banana leaf perspex danglers, mobile-like woven fruits (check out Amanda Norgaard's oranges above) and the most extreme tassels you ever did see.

FOR SCARVES: DONNI

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(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)

Sometimes the basics are hard to come by, but L.A.-based clothing and accessories label Donni has finally provided us with the kind of skinny, style-a-thousand-ways scarves we've been missing. Lucy Williams is a fan, doing her classic knotted ponytail move only recently. You can loop them around your neck and they'll be the perfect neckerchief length (we promise).

FOR FANS: FERN FANS

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(Image credit: @fernfans_)

Okay, so fans might not be the first things that come to mind when you think of accessories, but the old-school, super-glamorous items are genuinely making a comeback. You may have started to see these wafting around last summer, but expect to see a Fern Fans boom for holiday season 2018. The British brand, established by Daisy Hoppen and Amanda Borberg, has already been a real hit among industry insiders: Camille Charrière, Laura Jackson and Susie Bubble all keep their cool with the addition of a Fern.

FOR HEELS: SALONDEJU

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(Image credit: @salondeju_official)

Now, I have to be honest with you here—I haven't yet ordered a pair of these heels (although the brand does ship internationally to 100 countries). But just look at them—they're resplendent in their slightly '90s stilettoes and rainbow of colours. Calling all UK boutiques: Please buy these in so I can stock up.

There—now you're ahead of the fashion curve with your new knowledge of emerging accessories brands.

Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits. Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.