Buying from a small fashion business at any time of the year means that you’re giving back to a local community of aspiring fashionistas with stellar taste. In fact, the benefits of shopping from small businesses, in general, are astoundingly high. 

For starters, not only are you helping out artists, makers, and independent shops get ahead, you’re also shopping from businesses who support the growth of their local communities and the environment, among other things. By buying from a business online, you’ll help add character to a local business and create more jobs in the long run. 

This holiday season, consider searching for gifts at businesses that rely on great customer service and provide quality locally – sourced products. Chances are, they will be more than happy that you have decided to help their friends and neighbors succeed. 

With the spirit of mindful shopping and proactive gift-giving in mind, V has compiled a list of small businesses that are worth checking out the next time you are considering buying something fashionable and unique.  

Mirror Palais

This NYC based brand was founded by Brazilian designer Marcelo Gaia. Mirror Palais is a made-to-order/pre-order business brand that is all about sexy feminine silhouettes with a touch of vintage romance. From silk halter tops to the beautiful swimsuit prints that dominated Instagram this summer, you’ll be sure to fall in love with their ’70s-inspired looks. Stars such as Bella Hadid (who wore their now sold out Blue Crush bikini) and Dua Lipa. 

Glazed NYC

Glazed NYC is an independent clothing brand founded by Shelby Macklin and Banna Nega. The brand aims to “excavate Black History within the realms of fashion, film, and music while utilizing design as a vehicle for storytelling and community building”. From satin bucket hats to statement cotton t-shirts, the brand focuses on creating it-girl clothing for the glamorous person. They are currently selling shirts in partnership with Providence House’s Women’s Justice Program in Brooklyn. Their looks have been seen on stars such as Megan Thee Stallion and rising musician Andrea Vallé. 

Orseund Iris

This seasonless Brooklyn based label was founded by designer Alana Johnson. Orseund Iris is made with an affinity for vintage and an obsession for the process behind crafting statement clothing. It is fashion for everyone. It began as a made-to-order brand that evolved into an emerging fashion label thanks to the power of social media and sheer perseverance. It has frequently been worn by the likes of Emily Ratajkowski, Bella Hadid, and Kylie Jenner. 

Only Hearts

Only Hearts is a NYC based brand created by designer Helena Stuart in 1978. It offers a range of sustainably made lifestyle lingerie from sexy sweet undies and bralettes, to sleepwear and ready to wear wardrobe staples. But what this brand is most known for is for its Inner Outerwear” ™ collection, which revolutionized the way we see undergarments. 

Using local, deadstock, organic, recycled, and certified made in green textiles, the brand creates ‘sensuous’ dressing that has been seen on stars such as Cardi B, Hailey Beiber, Bjork, Kate Moss, Lourdes, Scarlett Johansson, and more.

K.NGSLEY

K.NGSLEY is a Black – owned brand founded by Kingsley Gbadegesin. The NYC based label is inspired by the vibrancy and community of activism and the club scene. It “exists to serve the Black, Queer, Femme and Trans community,” and it does so by “creating space and building community for those who have been pushed to the margins of the society and culture they’ve long influenced and inspired”. The brand offers a range of basics in monochromatic hues consisting of navy, white, black and olive tops for both masculine and feminine silhouettes. 

Caralista 

Caralista was founded in 2015 by Cara Lista, a Holistic Health Practitioner based in the Catskill Mountains in New York. Her products are sold in retail stores and used by Estheticians for their client treatments. Lista studied at the NY Institute of Aromatic Studies and The Arbor Vitae School of Traditional Herbalism while also receiving a certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. With this knowledge, along with her passion for herbology, she’s created a business from the ground up that aims to organically help the body and mind. 

The brand sells products infused with specific essential oils and healing botanical extracts to address the skin. Her products are for daily ritual use in order to bring calm and clarity to the mind and body. 

Laura Lombardi 

Laura Lombardi is a NYC based jewelry line by Italian American designer Laura Lombardi established in 2010. Each minimalist piece is made with inspiration from eclectic fine arts, sculpture and mixed media assemblage in New York City and Italy. Lombardi recontextualizes recycled materials and found objects, and recycled brass to make her statement pieces from scratch. Her jewelry has been worn by the likes of Lady Gaga, Emma Watson, Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, and Michelle Obama. 

Khaite 

Women’s sportswear brand Khaite was founded in 2016 by NYC based creative director Catherine Holstein. The brand creates classic American sportswear “for the twenty first century”. By focusing on offering stark contrast between past and future, masculine and feminine, and strength and softness, the clothing manages to have a strong and robust character. Khaite makes clothing for a woman’s day-to-day activities with a stylish twist. Stars such as Katie Holmes (who wore the notorious cashmere bra that sold out an hour after she was spotted wearing it), Jennifer Lawrence, Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber, Dakota Johnson, and Selena Gomez have been spotted wearing Khaite.