the small business edit, for summer

16 small brands for the warmer months <3

here is my summer sequel to my small business edit. these are the brands i’ve been loving + eyeing for summer travels, the red bikini that’s always the first thing packed, the eclectic jewelry, and a blue midi skirt that will be perfect for running between wine bars; all independently owned, all thoughtfully made, all the kind of brand where you can feel the person behind it.

a BFL (big fast list) of all of the cool brands + pieces i’ve been sending my friends, let’s get into it:

swim!

Madibu - MY FAVORITE SWIMWEAR BRAND. handmade swimwear that actually means handmade !!! vintage-inspired high-rise cuts and patchwork detailing, shipped in a reusable bikini bag. (the suits were just featured in the SI swim) my pick: the red bikini is always the first one packed in my bag, linked here

Gaudir - designed in spain in tiny limited runs, all made from econyl spun from recycled fishing nets and plastic. the bold exclusive prints are the whole point, and they donate to ocean conservation. most pieces $56-$64. my pick: la rockstar brown top, linked here

.22cal - made-in-usa luxury swim from a young california design student, and the fit shows it. the compression fabric actually holds you in and stays put, so it’s the suit for someone who wants to swim. my pick: the compression boyshort set, linked here

clothing!

Maison Cléo - the french mother-daughter brand the internet is obsessed with. marie designs, her mom cléo sews, every piece handmade-to-order in their calais atelier from deadstock couture fabric. the shop opens a few hours a week and then it’s gone, which is half the thrill. an investment, but the forever kind. my pick: the coline dress, perfect for a hot summer night, linked here

Rad Habits - a newport beach label by cousins and best friends Emily Daskas and Taylor Gorski, who’ve been dreaming up brands together since they were six. a fashion-forward spin on the california surf brand, unisex, sustainable, made in cotton and linen with french seams and 1960s vintage lace. my pick: the red linen shirt, linked here

A Room London - a london all-women collective making the prettiest blouses, released in chapters instead of seasons. romantic, structured, the kind of top that makes plain jeans look intentional. my pick: the herta blouse, linked here

ValVella - the canadian effortless dress brand. european-inspired, form-fitting, the silhouette that works on everyone. my pick: the penelope dress, linked here

Artless Forever - founded in 2018 by Madison Orlando, the la answer to 90s minimalism. slip dresses, easy pants, baby tees, the elevated basics you reach for on repeat. most pieces $45-$125, with a little melrose storefront too. my pick: the lee top, linked here

Made Some - vacation style in clothing form, founded by Madelyn Somers (ex-creative director at loeffler randall and chamberlain coffee) when she couldn’t actually travel. playful and vintage souvenir energy, in the best way. the whole vibe is off-duty on the amalfi coast. my pick: the short shorts, linked here

Mei Mei Market - the australian label proving secondhand and slow can also be the cutest thing in your cart. a curated mix of remade, deadstock, and y2k vintage alongside their own conscious-made pieces, all made slowly. most pieces $55-$140 aud. my pick: the tie pant, linked here

bags + accessories!

Le Febour - the bag all over my fyp, and for once the hype is real. this canadian brand’s everything bag is everything, roomy enough for a laptop, structured enough to be taken everywhere. comes in real or vegan leather, and the butter yellow is the one everyone’s fighting over. my pick: the everything bag in dark brown, linked here

Cabo Jewelry - a sydney studio making beaded gemstone pieces that do all the work in an outfit. centrepiece necklaces and art deco bracelets built from gemstones, leather, beads, and resin. very summer-solstice in the best way. my pick: the crystal cord necklace, linked here

California Dirt - handcrafted la jewelry with the most poetic origin story here. Carmen Kelly started it in 2022 after moving home and falling for clay, hence the name, born from the literal dirt of california. each piece cast in precious metal into shapes like fleeting sun and ebbing tides. my pick: the sunburst ring, linked here

Fane - one of my close friends showed me this beautiful brand. a thoughtful little line of timeless bags out of paris, made to bring a quiet sensuality to any silhouette. refined cosmopolitan shapes, crafted in italy and france with high-quality leathers. (sold at sommer in san francisco <3) my pick: the mie in patent red leather, linked here

shops to know!

Café Forgot - the cult LES boutique that turns shopping into discovery, a rotating conveyor-belt rack of one-off, artist-made pieces by indie designers before they blow up. founders Lucy Weisner and Vita Haas have an unreal eye. if you want the piece nobody else has, you go here. my pick: the knee high socks, linked here

Diem Attire - a beautifully curated shop bringing vietnamese fashion brands stateside, the easiest way to find labels you won’t see anywhere else here. dreamy, feminine pieces with silhouettes you won’t find elsewhere, free us shipping over $150. my pick: the mimi skirt, in fact, I am adding to my cart now; linked here

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Let me know of any that I missed, always lookin for more. xoxo

Love Always,

Su