7 Female-Run Brands You Can Only Shop At Tictail

Ever since we first learned of Tictail, the Swedish-born global online marketplace that puts emerging designers and artists in the spotlight, we’ve turned to them for all of our shopping needs—especially when we’re looking for truly unique, standout pieces.

For Women’s History Month, Tictail is bringing back its Women Creating History campaign that first launched last year. Being that tens of thousands of female-run brands from 140 countries across the globe use Tictail as a platform to run their businesses, the retailer is making the space to highlight 31 of these women all month long. From fashion designers to artists, these ladies are redefining what it means to be a modern-day CEO.

We chatted with seven up-and-coming fashion labels, available exclusively at Tictail, to learn how they’re making waves—and history. From their innovative sustainability efforts to redefining comfortable fashion, these are the brands to know.

Learn a bit more about each one, below, and check out all 31 featured creatives, here.

Anissa Aida

NYC-based fashion label Anissa Aida is the brainchild of designer Anissa Meddeb, who developed an early interest in design thanks to her architect mother and had dreams to one day run a line with her sister Aïda. After Aïda died in 2010, Meddeb, who had worked at labels such as Outdoor Voices and Marc Jacobs, paid tribute to her by creating Anissa Aida.

Meddeb melds together different cultures, as well as cultural influences of the past and present. First and foremost, she’s inspired by her Tunisian heritage and its traditional craftsmanship. Using sustainable materials, she draws from North African, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean influences, putting a modern spin on ancestral garments such as the kimono and caftan. “The collections meet halfway between East and West, past and future, tradition and modernity,” says Meddeb. "The chosen fabrics express and foster cultural exchange. From English oxford to Japanese linen and Tunisian hand-woven silks, such are all visual dialogues creating my unique perception of history.”

Nanna Fjord

Danish jewelry brand Nanna Fjord, created by designers Nanna Fjord and Caroline Ruby, features minimalist, simple designs with a twist. Curved metal ear threads are adorned with oversized freshwater pearls or blue sodalite, and gold-plated hoop earrings showcase off-center rose quartz spheres. Not to mention, the price point is something we can all get behind.

Keeping their customers happy is something the two designers keep in mind. “When we develop new shapes and styles, we always just ‘play’ at our workshop—it’s about making jewelry that makes people smile,” says Fjord. That, and remaining true to their aesthetic, their spirit, and themselves.

Their goal is to create sustainable products that last in designs that, while modern and fresh, also remain timeless. “We hope to create history by being a part of the generation who thinks about great designs that last long, great products that last long, and in that way make people happy for a long time,” says Fjord. “Happy people create the best history.”

Deuxième Studios

Swedish-born designer Lina Nordin founded her shoe label Deuxième Studios after relocating to Paris. Each of her Portuguese-made and sustainably sourced designs—ranging from fuzzy loafers to vibrant kitten-heeled sling backs—are meant to evoke a comfortable elegance for both day and night. (She kept the Parisian cobblestone streets in mind while designing.)

Nordin was inspired to start her own line by her mother, who also started her own shoe label from scratch, which is still running today. “It was her fearless approach that inspired me to try it myself from similar humble beginnings,” she says.

How is Nordin making history? “By being part of this current and incredible movement of strong women who are taking the chance to go their own way,” she says.

Tales of Anyday

Danish fashion label Tales of Anyday is a game changer in the realm of sustainable, comfortable clothing. While these are both important factors in designer Sintija Avotniece’s ideas, she still ensures her line possesses a cool, minimalist vibe typical of Scandinavian fashion.

In it, you’ll find pieces such as canvas backpacks in eye-catching geometric prints, cozy overalls, and blouses, and wrap dresses in materials such as organic cotton, corduroy, and digitally-printed silk. “It’s important to me that the woman feels comfortable in the clothing that she’s wearing at all times during the day, no matter what kind of activity she’s engaged in,” says Avotniece.

She speaks of striving to enhance the beauty of everyday life with pieces that are not only sustainably made, but ones that are built to last. “As Tales of Anyday is a very new label, I’m not entirely sure of if and how I’m creating history. But, I sure hope that I am at least a small part of moving the fashion industry toward a sustainable future,” she says. “I really hope that in the future we can drop this word, 'sustainable,' as an indicator because sustainable should just become a part of the norm. I hope that I’m part of creating this norm with the work that I do.”

Platanoné

Spain-based sustainable jewelry brand Platanoné is the “small fashion project” of designer Ana Orozco. Her use of natural materials and upcycled plastic in geometric and quirky, brightly colored shapes give us a new perspective on sustainable, recycled accessories. “I wanted to be involved in fashion but didn’t know exactly how,” she says. “I knew I wanted to create items that people could not only wear and enjoy but also connect with in a more sustainable and meaningful way. That lead me to start using natural, non-toxic materials and repurposing others that had been discarded as trash, to glamorize what might be considered ‘unwanted.’”

By creating pieces that teach others about sustainability, she is already making history. “I would like to make others reflect on how we get to [the final product]," she says. "It is a process, and we’re so frequently uninformed about it—and that’s the danger of it, especially when we’re talking about big industries that tend to forget about the people and only focus on the profit. I like to think that every piece I make as a purpose, and was made with love.”

Atelier Batac

Barcelona-based handbag line Atelier Batac is destined to be your new favorite accessories brand. Designer Cristina Gomez is inspired by the “reveries of the Mediterranean late afternoons,” resulting in clean and contemporary shapes and a neutral color palette. “The designs [bring together] past and present by the use of vintage materials, like the one-of-a-kind Lucite handles from the ‘70s, which make every bag unique and the collection limited,” she says

What's more, Gomez respects the materials she uses, specifically the Italian artisanal leather that each bag is created with. “I aim to create a lasting relationship between the bag and owner, which aims to be a meaningful approach against mainstream fashion industry and its mass production and over-consumption. Batac engages with the slow fashion movement and its values which, from my point of view, are a creative alternative for a better world.”

Blank Etiquette

Berlin-based label Blank Etiquette is your anti-fast-fashion fashion label. Designer Tosca Wyss creates limited-edition womenswear and menswear pieces inspired by literally everything. Wyss mentions her inspirations range from life, the world, and society to nature and architecture. The results? Oversized (and cozy-looking) caftans and trousers and banana print dresses and bomber jackets.

How are Wyss and Blank Etiquette making history? “By making a positive impact on the planet and changing one of the worst industries, when it comes to climate change, for the better,” she says. “As a small label, it’s hard to go against fast and cheap fashion, but I really believe that small steps and changes can make a big impact.”