Styles

Independent for women

Small labels, sharp tailoring, and studio collections.

Dressing in independent designers means wearing clothes from small studios that focus on cut, proportion and distinct tailoring over mass trends.

Relaxed shapes define the look, bringing together wide leg pleated trousers and short jackets cut from crisp wool or dense cotton flannel. Black, cream, deep green and navy blue set a neutral base that lets precise seams stand out. Mitsuru Nishizaki set up UJOH in the late two thousands after seven years as a pattern cutter. Teppei Fujita, a graduate of Bunka Fashion College, founded Sulvam in the twenty tens and makes each piece himself, starting with the pattern.

Pairing a boxy coat over knitwear and loose denim creates a balanced silhouette for daily wear. Due West in Toronto brings most of this wall, including COOR leather jackets and coats and Sunflower shirts, jackets and jeans. WDLT117 in Toronto brings UJOH and Sulvam pants and jackets and Litkovska skirts, most of it made in Japan.

UJOH Square Blouse Moss Grey at WDLT117 on within
UJOH
Square Blouse Moss Grey
¥100,800
WDLT117
UJOH Sailor Collar Ribbon Shirt White, front view, at WDLT117 on within
UJOH
Sailor Collar Ribbon Shirt White
¥91,600Last one
WDLT117
Litkovska Ruffled Midi Skirt Black at WDLT117 on within
Litkovska
Ruffled Midi Skirt Black
¥134,700Last one
WDLT117
Litkovska Ruffled Midi Skirt Beige at WDLT117 on within
Litkovska
Ruffled Midi Skirt Beige
¥120,900Last one
WDLT117
Sulvam Dolman Zip-up Jacket Bio in Blue at WDLT117 on within
Sulvam
Dolman Zip-up Jacket Bio
¥80,500¥190,000Last one
WDLT117
Sulvam Denim Short Jacket in Blue at WDLT117 on within
Sulvam
Denim Short Jacket
¥57,500¥155,500
WDLT117
Litkovska Double Collar Poplin Shirt Blue, front view, at WDLT117 on within
Litkovska
Double Collar Poplin Shirt Blue
¥114,600
WDLT117
UJOH Open Collar Shirt Black, front view, at WDLT117 on within
UJOH
Open Collar Shirt Black
¥126,100
WDLT117
Drôle de Monsieur 'Le Pantalon Cargo Laine' Pants in Khaki, front view, at Due West on within
Drôle de Monsieur
'Le Pantalon Cargo Laine' Pants - Khaki
¥26,900¥50,700Last one
Due West
Drôle de Monsieur Tresse Track Pants in Beige, front view, at Due West on within
Drôle de Monsieur
Tresse Track Pants - Beige
¥22,400¥42,300Last one
Due West
Sulvam Slim Short Blouson Jacket Navy at WDLT117 on within
Sulvam
Slim Short Blouson Jacket Navy
¥52,900¥132,400
WDLT117
RUOHAN Skara Jacket Dune in Beige at WDLT117 on within
RUOHAN
Skara Jacket Dune
¥167,000
WDLT117
UJOH Bow Tie shirt Silver, front view, at WDLT117 on within
UJOH
Bow Tie shirt Silver
¥86,400Last one
WDLT117
Drôle de Monsieur Slogan Tee in Mastic, back view, at Due West on within
Drôle de Monsieur
Slogan Tee - Mastic
¥23,700
Due West
Guidi 796ZI Back Zip Metal Heel Mid Boot Black, side view, at WDLT117 on within
Guidi
796ZI Back Zip Metal Heel Mid Boot Black
¥236,100Last one
WDLT117
Guidi 796ZI Back Zip Metal Heel Mid Boot White, side view, at WDLT117 on within
Guidi
796ZI Back Zip Metal Heel Mid Boot White
¥236,100Last one
WDLT117
RUOHAN Umber Raas Coat in Grey at WDLT117 on within
RUOHAN
Umber Raas Coat
¥362,700
WDLT117
RUOHAN Loess Cocoon Jacket Beige, front view, at WDLT117 on within
RUOHAN
Loess Cocoon Jacket Beige
¥368,500Last one
WDLT117
Veja Womens Campo ChromeFree Leather Sneakers - White/Natural at Due West on within
Veja
Womens Campo ChromeFree Leather Sneakers - White/Natural
¥23,700Last one
Due West
Veja Womens Campo ChromeFree Leather Sneakers - White/Platine at Due West on within
Veja
Womens Campo ChromeFree Leather Sneakers - White/Platine
¥23,700
Due West
ERL Star Jacquard Light Wash Flared Denim, front view, at Utopia on within
ERL
Star Jacquard Light Wash Flared Denim
¥22,500Pre-owned
Utopia
thom/krom M ST 526 Pants in Cold Brown at Due West on within
thom/krom
M ST 526 Pants - Cold Brown
¥36,600
Due West
Guidi PL1WZ Stacked Heel Front Zip Dk. Brown, side view, at WDLT117 on within
Guidi
PL1WZ Stacked Heel Front Zip Dk. Brown
¥229,700
WDLT117
Guidi R22V Back Zip Boot Full Grain Black, side view, at WDLT117 on within
Guidi
R22V Back Zip Boot Full Grain Black
¥236,100Last one
WDLT117

Common questions

What defines clothes from independent designers?
Independent designers build small seasonal collections shaped by personal studio practice. Their focus centers on precise cuts, sturdy natural fabrics and distinctive proportions rather than fast commercial cycles.
How do you wear wide leg trousers from small studios?
Balance the full cut of pleated trousers by wearing a compact jacket or a neat crewneck knit. Sturdy leather shoes anchor the generous hem so the fabric breaks cleanly.
Which independent designers focus on tailoring?
Sulvam, the label of Teppei Fujita, reworks classic tailoring in a modern way, and he makes each piece himself, starting with the pattern. UJOH was set up by Mitsuru Nishizaki after seven years as a pattern cutter.