If I’m totally honest: I don’t shop
enough with indie brands. Primarily because I’m a cheapskate and always end up
going for something from Taobao or totally offbrand, although since indie
brands usually make smaller items like jewellery or hair accessories, the cost
of shipping for small items can be a little off-putting as well (I sort of made
up for it at Wicked and Whimsy, but still). That doesn’t, however, mean that I
can’t have favourite indie brands, so here are my top 3.
1. Peacockalorum
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| I have this bow and still can't really stop admiring it |
I had to put them at number 1
because that’s the only indie brand on this list that I buy things from relatively
reasonably. Every item is carefully handmade and offers so many options to
customise it and make it your own – all at very budget-friendly prices and from
the UK, which is a massive bonus for me. I have an underskirt, a headbow, a
pair of wrist cuffs and a hand muff from there, all of which are made with
attention to detail and to a very high standard. I wish there was a bigger
variety of headbow styles offered, but I’ve seen all kinds of custom-made
creations from Peacockalorum, so I don’t doubt that if I knew what I wanted to
ask for, I’d be able to get it from there.
2. Lady Sloth
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| A part of me really wants this, but can't decide on the colourway |
As a disclaimer I’d like to state
that I don’t actually own any of Lady Sloth’s creations, but as I said – I don’t
shop enough with indie brands. Plus I’m biased and I feel like a fellow Polish
Lolita is always worth supporting, though her clothes really do speak for themselves,
having seen them up close at Wicked and Whimsy. I love the variety of blouse
designs offered, catering to every style of Lolita as well as to every possible
colour palette you might need, meaning that if you’re after something that’s an
unusual colour for Lolita, she’ll probably be able to make it for you. And the
recent expansion into printed dresses with all kinds of designs really hit the
spot for me: were it not that I hate the taste of coffee I’d seriously consider
the My Coffee Time JSK and I’m quite excited for the upcoming sky themed series
in the Day and Night colourways. So whilst I may not have bought anything from
her yet, it seems like only a matter of time before I do. Besides, Lady Sloth
is so sweet herself, it was so fun to chat to her in London.
3. Cute Moonbunny
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| Just too cute! Wouldn't they be awesome for Christmas coords? |
It was actually really tough to pick
between this one and Sweet Dolly House. I know that they are two separate
brands ran by two different people, but I often confuse them since they’re both
based in Russia and they both have very similar style of jewellery on offer.
What tipped it towards Cute Moonbunny though is that they have some items
which aren’t all pastel Sweet Lolita – which is odd, since I wear predominantly
Sweet Lolita and don’t really go for the Gothic pieces, of which Cute Moonbunny has some, but I appreciate that they are on offer. But in actual fact I
have many items from both brands saved on my Etsy Favourites and many a times I
nearly bought something, only to be discouraged by the cost of shipping for
that one item. I hope that one day they will be selling their stuff at an event
that I’ll be attending, whether in person or remote vending, so that I could
get my sticky hand o their awesome, cutesy goodies. It’s just not quite there
yet.
Do you shop a lot with indie brands?
Are there any that are worth recommending? I’m always after more jewellery and
hair accessories, so please, recommend me those if you have any good ones. In
the meantime you can check what the other bloggers are suggesting for you to
try:
I consider my self as indiewhore, I only own one brand dress... And I can't make my mind up for which of them I prefer, because I like them all. Some of them I monitor closely: Raven & Rose Ateiler(classic/gothic), eat me ink me(mainly those painting skirts), Ergi and Cherie Cherise.
ReplyDeleteI actually hard time to find purely classic brands.
Oooh, I shall look these up. I know quite a few people who collect indie pieces as they are more unique since a lot fewer are made, but I just haven't found that many yet that I'd like the look of and would like to wear.
DeleteBut that is way I very often feel about Brand releases. Fewer made is truth with modifications, I think Haenuli has quite big stock when they release a print series, while a brand like Nolaska Pastor is seamstress made.
DeleteExcept that the majority of brand will resurface on the second hand market, whereas a lot of indie labels don't manage that. You either get them when they're still in stock and once they sell out - very good luck finding it.
DeleteIt is worst part of it. But I also like brands like Excentrique and VM, in which are not easiest thing to get second hand either.
DeleteI wouldn't know how much they resurface on the second hand market, I can't fit into those, so I don't torment myself by looking at them in case I do find something I'd really love. :P
DeleteI can fit into the skirts, but they are almostly never for sale... VM is quite small sizing in general. Excentrique is actually very roomy, but sadly I can't afford them from new.
DeleteIn all fairness, I could probably fit int Excentrique stuff, but I find it too expensive for what it is. Other brands do very similar things for a lot less money, like Axes Femme often has similar style stuff, and I'd rather buy their clothes instead.
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