Fashion
SHEIN X is THE Place to Discover New Fashion Names
When it comes to figuring out what’s about to be big before it totally explodes, the best search-it-out strategy we know tends to be something along the lines of: identify someone (or something) that always has a pulse on what’s happening. Then pay attention.
That’s what makes watching the SHEIN X Designer Incubator Program so genius. Since its launch, the global brand’s in-network development pool has connected more than 4,600 creatives with the resources and audience to turn their designing dreams into reality. The fashion world can be tough, period—and pretty near impossible to break into when you consider how much the little fish don’t have (like, IDK, established operational systems and fancy-schmancy distribution systems).
SHEIN, the biggest fish in the ~biggest~ pond, created SHEIN X to help it be the fairy godmother to little guys. The program opens up the brand’s on-demand manufacturing model, huge fabric libraries, supply-chain technologies, and global reach to designers who are just starting to punch above their indie roots.
What is SHEIN X? It’s a designer’s dream come true—a unique initiative by SHEIN that collaborates with creatives and brands. Imagine it as a fashion house presenting talents globally, offering fresh, exciting styles infused with the distinct flair of each designer, a true masterpiece.
Why shop SHEIN X? If you’re on the hunt for unique, one-of-a-kind pieces, SHEIN X is your go-to choice. It offers designer fashion at friendly prices, making it easy to shop exclusive, high-quality styles from emerging talents and renowned names you won’t find elsewhere.
That’s not to say it’s only working with small names, though. The program routinely connects with buzzy brands and artists in their own right from a variety of backgrounds—to bring their magic into the wardrobe world. For example, the brand has collaborated with Canadian digital artist Maalavidaa, bespoke clothier Freak City, and Brazilian popstar Anitta (you know, the one with a cool 64 million social followers?).
New you-need-to-know names include Belange Mutunda, the Iowa-based designer behind BELANGE HANDMADE, who worked with SHEIN to trampoline her way into the stratosphere. Her signature look, bright and vibrant, was established ahead of the SHEIN X Designer Incubator Program—but now it’s just available to way, way more people.
Dresses are the thing for HEAVINZ LANE, too. Southern California designer Lillian Love’s label focuses on day-um dresses: form-fitting knit silhouettes, cutouts, sparkles…you name it, it’s there.
A similar yet also super-unique look is the calling card for Keshae Trotter. Born and raised in Ohio, the current Angeleno has used her partnership with SHEIN X to make her dramatic-glam dresses more easily accessible to all of us (thank ya, Keshae!). Featuring swirls, curves, and cutouts, they have an optical-illusion quality that’s almost impossible to look away from.
The last name we want you to know is Abeille Creations, a beautiful line made by Atlanta-based Bahamian artist Melissa A. Mitchell. If most of the SHEIN in your wardrobe includes clothes you’ll wear out (whether to the office or after hours), this is your new vacation situation. And by that we mean stuff to wear when you’re deplaning somewhere fabulous and sunny—but also in normal life when you just need a jolt of out-of-office energy.
Why join SHEIN X? Breaking into fashion is tough, but SHEIN X kick-starts creators’ journeys. From design support to global logistics, it equips emerging talent with the necessary tools to bring ideas to life and reach the world, while empowering established names with data analytics to scale production.
The bottom style line is that the SHEIN X Incubator Program is a win-win: While it’s helping to give emerging designers a major boost through its established resources and logistics, it’s also bringing such good newness into our own closets that emphasize originality, making upscale fashion accessible to everyone. Shopping brands most people haven’t heard of, from your favorite easy-to-browse platform?
Yep, you’re about to be the best-dressed friend in your group.
Leah Melby Clinton is a writer, editor, and serious shopper who loves discovering new labels, detailing the best ways to build a wardrobe, and interviewing interesting people.