818
There’s no shortage of new menswear labels but the ones that catch my eye have something to say. You can see it in the cut of a jacket, the choice of fabric or the references woven into a collection. These five brands each bring a distinct point of view and a fresh reason to get dressed.
PELLADOR
Pellador began in Limerick, Ireland in 2022 when designer and printmaker Greg Hall set out to design a collection of knitwear and sportswear inspired by Irish sporting heritage and combining them with the colors and graphics of European football. The jerseys and track tops have a sense of humor, while the knitwear makes a strong case for wearing sport beyond the stands. An impressive first collaboration was with Guinness, a brand steeped in tradition and legacy all while not taking itself too seriously, values Pellador embodies in its own way.
LAD/
LAD/
LAD/ was founded in 2025 by Ladislas Mande, with the creative direction of Sam Lambert and Shaka Maidoh of Art Comes First. It takes the precision of Italian tailoring and gives it a more expressive spirit through Congolese cultural references and fluid proportions. What interests me is the tension between a beautifully cut garment and the freedom to wear it your own way. This is a label for the man who likes a suit but has no interest in looking conventional.
GROSSI
GROSSI arrived in 2025 with Andrea Grossi’s restless take on Italian menswear. Denim is his starting point but he also gives traditional tailoring fabrics coatings and finishes that alter how they look and feel. The PizzEroticus Trench is a good example, a double-breasted coat featuring a laser-cut motif carved into the cotton gabardine through thousands of micro-perforations.
SANDERLAK
Dutch designer Sander Lak launched Sanderlak in 2025, debuting the new label in Paris. Now based in New York, he brings an unusually vivid sense of color and texture to menswear. A hammered coach jacket in deep mocha and utility flare jeans show how he can make familiar pieces feel entirely new. The clothes have presence, but they are not just runway theatre. I would wear one of those statement pieces with a plain shirt and let Lak’s eye for color and fabric do the work.
PAST TENSE
Stockholm’s Past Tense was founded in 2023 by designer Victor Lindh and Adrien Forray. Where Scandinavian menswear often plays it safe, this label brings a tougher attitude to familiar pieces with commanding silhouettes. It’s the kind of brand that has enough character to make an outfit interesting without looking as though you’ve tried too hard.
For more follow Darren on Instagram.
You can view the original article HERE.
