In the past few years, Latvian fashion has been experiencing true prosperity - well-known designers create stunning new works while new talents gradually take the stage by winning high marks in various international competitions. Their clothing and accessories combine Latvian traditions with the latest world trends. 

Anna Ledskalniņa and her brand ANNA LED

ANNA LED – one of the most prominent and popular brands of apparel and accessories, offered by Latvian designer Anna Ledskalniņa. The unique designer’s style, the distinguished design, delicate intellectuality are hard to miss. Devotees of this brand first of all are smart and scholarly people who are not reluctant to develop their own unique style, who are success-guided and have a creative approach to life. The brand is famous for its experiments with knitwear. And, of course, flax – the favourite material for fashion designers – became one of the symbols for ANNA LED. It has made its way back and claims its place in the wardrobes of modern urbanites. ANNA LED has become the “must have” of the season. The apparel and accessories are presented in Latvia, Russia, Japan and the United States of America both in the home network and multi - brand boutiques. For more information, go to www.annaled.com.

Alise Trautmane and brand NARCISS

The young but already famous fashion designer, Alise Trautmane, owner of the boutique NARCISS, has academic background in law and economics. However, after attending some lectures in Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan, she launched her first prêt-a-porter collection in April 2009. Only two seasons later, NARCISS presented its Spring/Summer 2011 collection in Nolcha Fashion Week, New York, and elsewhere. NARCISS provides sophisticated glamour for women following the latest fashion trends, yet not as slavishly, keeping their own personal style. A woman wearing narciss is feminine, smart, self-confident and sexy. The ultimate aim of the prêt-a-porter brand NARCISS, deriving its name from Greek mythology, is to make a woman to love her reflection - either in the mirror or in the eyes of men. The clothing is available in many boutiques in Latvia, Russia, Belgium, Kuwait, Dubai, and elsewhere. For more information, go to www.narciss.lv.

Kate and brand 030470

Latvian fashion designer Kate, who has graduated from the prestigious London-based Saint Martins College of Art and Design and now lives in London, enjoys her work and does her best to make her clients enjoy too. "Each product is cherished from the very beginning to the end, from the idea to the last seam. Quite often it is an exquisite handmade product created according to old haute couture traditions," the designer said about her 2010 collection. The products of the 030470 brand is now available in London, Paris, New York, Moscow, and Tokyo. However, the artist feels that fashion is not just the latest collection: "This is my life, and I try to share every new idea with my associates." Kate has also worked for the theatre and film industry. Her costumes can be seen in Latvian director Gatis Šmits' latest film "Seržanta Lapiņa atgriešanās". For more information, go to www.030470.com.

Bruno Birmanis and brand Bruni

After ten years away from the scene, multi-designer Bruno Birmanis is presenting his latest collection of classical-style shirts and blouses labelled Bruni. The main features - classical traditions and fabric from Italian manufacturer Albini Group. Shirts are intended for men who care about tying a tie in the morning, and who knows that he will feel satisfied in the evening. The reserved Bruni blouses are for the determined, business-like Woman (with a capital W!). Birmanis used to organise the Untamed Fashion Festival, now he explores the classical, and says: "I would put it like this: you have a pipe and a tap with cold and hot water. I am that tap. Open it!"

Katya Shehurina and brand KatyaKatya Shehurina

Fashion designer Katya Shehurina is one of the most perspective young designers of Eastern Europe. Graduate of the prestigious fashion design high school ESMOD (Paris, France) with specialisation in haute couture, she developed her own brand "katyakatya shehurina". Collections are feminine and playful, sometimes extravagant, but cozy at the same time. A Woman by Katya Shehurina is bright, charming, mysterious, graceful, vulnerable and sensible. The designer is very popular in her home country. Katya Shehurina makes two seasonal collections per year, actively takes part in many local and international fashion events. After participation in fashion week in Saint-Petersburg - "Defile on Neva", the Russian audience became interested in the designer’s creations. Now the brand "katyakatya shehurina" is sold in fashion boutiques of the cultural capital of Russia, Saint-Petersburg, along with the world famous fashion names. Today, women’s wear by Katya Shehurina is sold in Riga, Saint-Petersburg, Dubai and Kuwait. For more information, go to www.shehurina.com.

Indra Salceviča and brand SALT

Brand collections are characterised as deliberately functional and prominently comfortable, brought together with natural fabric, tinted chord and original solutions for cutting. "The most important thing to me, when I create outfits, is the quality of fabric and manufacturing, as well as the functionality of a ready-to-wear garment. The concept for outfits is not created from long hours of brainstorming, it is born very naturally," says the creator of the brand, Indra Salceviča, who catches her ideas flying in the air like butterflies with a sweep-net. A SALT man is a self-confident personality with exquisite sense of humour and easy take on life. A SALT woman is her own master, a cat with a mind of its own, a coquettish fox. She lives fast, reaches for original things, she is annoyed by routine, and always gets what she wants. For more information, go to www.salt.lv.

Alyona Bauska and brand QooQoo

QooQoo fashion line is characterised by bold and non-traditional visual images integrated via print into the material. Vibrant colour palette with contrasting colour and geometrical forms to make the body look fabulous. Graphic patterns are created by Alyona Bauska - a graphic artist who has been ensnared by the world of fashion. The QooQoo collections are created for people who like to display their free and creative style through unique and well-designed cloths. QooQoo believes that fashion is not only about the way you dress but also a means to transform yourself. Since age of 15, Alyona Bauska studied graphic design, she entered the world of fashion just recently,with her works becoming more and more popular among her friends. The brand QooQoo was created in 2009. The collection was presented at Riga Fashion Week and earned recognition from fashion devotees. QooQoo products, especially leggings, are popular in Latvia, Australia, and the United States. A shop was recently opened in Hong Kong. For more information, go to www.qooqoo.lv.

Boutiques KLASE and PAVILJONS

The latest collections, ladies, gentlemen and children, created by Latvian designers are available in the boutique KLASE (the self-called 'representation of Latvian fashion') at Bergs Bazaar. Collections are small, but most things in the shop offered are unique, one-of-a-kind, from natural materials such as linen, silk, cotton, mohair, wool. Among merchandise - high-quality bags, subtle shoes, smart socks and gloves. KLASE represents the accepted and popular fashion artists who have gained Awards in Latvian fashion weeks and beyond, the young and talented fashion artists. Latvian design - clothing and accessories, interesting interior objects and many other items are available at the PAVILJONS boutique in the "Domina" shopping centre. For more information, go to www.modesklase.lv and www.paviljons.lv.

www.CreativeLatvia.com

Latvian design works are also available at the internet shop www.CreativeLatvia.com. It was launched with an aim of promoting Latvian production in Latvia and abroad. You can choose your size, colour and material. Enter your personal measurements, using a special figure, and the clothing will be created precisely for you. The shop www.CreativeLatvia.com also offers ready-to-wear clothing of more than 20 brands delivered all over the world. Every week the shop has new arrivals. For more information, go to www.CreativeLatvia.com.