nichebrands

The special ones

Discover more about fashion research

Hunting for the special ones – unique brands for people who want more from fashion is what drives the passion for research by enhancing it. Dates and exhibition places are more or less the same, but the sense of discovery is much more engaging.

In a key of less is more, exclusivity and unique garments, thoughtful design and made-to-last quality represent the new luxury for modern humans. And this is what we select for you.

Mainstream fashion and its limelight are just one part of the industry. But out of the dominant narrative, there’s a more hidden universe that you have to dig a little to find. It is a microcosm made of true passion, hard work and unconventional designs. A fascinating universe that delivers profoundly valuable garments having the feel of niche or cult fashion. Not for everyone.

By the way, more hidden doesn’t refer to the insiders but to a larger audience, the final customers. They rely on social media as the only source of information, their only bible. Therefore, their knowledge is shallow. Indeed, they are brand oriented or taken from fast fashion but lack a deeper understanding of design and quality.

Being radically different, these cult brands do not follow trends. In fact, they represent a counterculture escaping from marketing labels. And precisely because they don’t want to be pigeon-holed, classified, and placed into boxes with a trendy label stamped outside.

Most importantly, they let their products talk – with excellent quality fabrics, tailoring, artisanal workings, limited productions, and experimentation. It’s an act of meaning: they deliver beauty and uniqueness. Timeless quality and value.

Also, one more factor: almost no advertising. In fact, the special ones run away from algorithms too. Which contributes to making them more fascinating.

Do you want to know more? Keep in touch!

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Niche fashion: what does it mean?

And can it stand on its own?

Niche fashion is a matter of having a personal identity, refusing mass products and somehow having a certain repulsion for what is extremely popular.

The question is: do you want to look like everyone else? Dress like everyone else? And think like everyone else?

If yes, maybe reading this post is a waste of your time. Indeed many people like to be the copy of others. But if your response is no, it’s worth a few minutes of reading. Exploring the concept of niche fashion will help you understand that small universe outside mass trends.

It’s an imagery that finds very little space in our homologated culture. Social media flattened everything privileging a single line of thought.

Created by visionary designers, it finds support from a limited number of selected international retailers who still have a passion for research. And by people like you, who love searching for authentic gems.

Niche fashion
Marc Le Bihan tulle skirt

However, niche has a meaning in marketing but has a slightly different connotation in fashion. In marketing, it refers to a group you identify as your target audience.

Niche fashion meaning

In the fashion field, professionals call niche brands or collections those designs out of the mainstream. Cult pieces of clothing or accessories not for all because of their design, quality and craftsmanship. Which image is so unique that only people with a specific taste will understand them.

In essence, niche fashion is about having a different sensibility towards design and quality. It is for connoisseurs, insiders or everyone having an eye to recognise it, people who escape from mass thinking and find pleasure in the unconventional.

Now, can niche brands stand on their own?
The news that Calzedonia group just acquired Antonio Marras, taking a majority stake in the brand, opens the discussion.

Niche fashion will never be trending, never too popular. It wouldn’t be niche. And it has nothing to do with algorithms.
And so, preserving a culture of diversity is vital for niche brands to survive.

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The Pleated Dress

Today we introduce a piece of contemporary elegance: The Pleated Dress – by Zucca.

Innovative and evolving style, paired with functionality and versatility, mixes well in this beautiful dress. A piece to wear for the Christmas festivities. But you’ll always find an occasion to put it on afterwards. Undoubtedly, it will be one of the classics in your capsule wardrobe.

The design point
The silhouette is simple, boxy and stylish. V neckline along front and back. Sleeveless with dropped shoulders. Two side slip pockets, under-knee length. Relaxed fit, a side slit makes the movement comfortable.

Three different fabrics with distinct textures are sewn together and then pleated. Indeed the design plays with juxtaposition in a refined and modern manner. Moreover, the hand of the fabric is soft and glossy.

The Pleated dress by Zucca


About the texture
The difference in texture is created by stitching three types of fabrics, such as velour, satin and crepe. And after, pleating them.
This particular technique makes the dress really special.

About the colour
Dark brown tending to bronze. It is a warm hue with a slightly shiny effect which gives a natural glow to your outfits.

The pleated dress by Zucca
The Pleated Dress – by ZUCCa

Coordination ideas
Although it is a unique dress, both colour and shape are basic. So you can use it as a one-piece. When the weather is cold, we suggest wearing a long-sleeved basic top underneath, also tights or leggings. Instead, for a party or a dinner at the restaurant, you can combine it with a jacket or long cardigan to create an elegant style.

Advice and care
This item is pleated by heat and pressure. The pleating could gradually disappear by repeating wearing and washing. Please acknowledge it beforehand. Also, when wearing and storing, do not apply pressure for a long time.

Easy-care material. You can wash it by hand at home.

The Pleated Dress is a statement piece. It reminds us that good design is made to last.
And you can enjoy it in your everyday life.

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The niche choice

When it comes to fashion or lifestyle choices, you have two options: take the most popular brands or search for what’s different. Likewise, you can go on holidays where crowds go or search for your places, out of the beaten path.

Needless to say that we tend to go for the latter. And if you interact with us – in person or through our digital world – you are on the same page. Perhaps, as we did, you have seen everything in fashion, and now you want more.

So we look for what we call niche designers or niche brands.
And it’s not that we don’t like popular brands. Indeed, we could handpick some cool items out of those collections. But, we love to search for something more unique. For a style that is special, and not immediately recognizable. Therefore, more personal.
That style is you.

Key points for our niche choice

What are the keys we use to analyze fashion collections?

Design and style
First, we are attracted by the designer’s viewpoint, what the brand is bringing in. From what we consider a valuable style proposal, we pick out the pieces we like. Which, then, are reviewed from other perspectives to match our quality standards. The construction and fit, how the garment falls. Wearing occasion and materials. The price point.

Timeless aesthetic
We select items that you can wear for a long time. If some pieces recall a fashion trend, it is never too much to make those items seem old the season after. Indeed, our pieces always look fashion-forward.

Seasonless
We tend to select items that you can wear during the whole year long. By layering, you can use them not only during a given season. It avoids fashion cycles and so the ‘buy & toss’ attitude.

Comfortable
Pieces that you can wear on multiple occasions, but you are never out of place.

Of course, a niche selection is not for everyone. But that makes it even more special.

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