David David (London)

An art-school grad and onetime painter, designer David Saunders was drawn into fashion when he shared a flat with Fashion East director Lulu Kennedy. Now a darling of the London fashion world, with his David David line of mens- and womenswear selling at Dover Street Market and Seven New York, Saunders channels a less flowery Emilio Pucci with his colorful graphic prints, displayed for SS 2008 on a series of blazers, short jumpsuits, knitwear, and even socks.

From Somewhere (London)

Founded by Orsola di Castro and Filippo Ricci in 1997, From Somewhere's goal was to make eco-fashion that wasn't about "hemp sacks and uncomfortable itchy socks." Instead, the designers used production waste fabric to create quirky, mixed-fabric dresses that for SS 2008 range from stripes to colorblock to plaids, from long, slim jersey pieces to short, smocked shirtdresses.

Monsoon Fairtrade (London)

British fast-fashion chain Monsoon was founded with an international vision by Peter Simon, a regular traveler to India who started out in 1973 selling ethnic handicrafts on Portobello Road.  Building on their main line of bohemian, ethnic-inspired dresses, boleros and beachwear, their new collaboration with the organization Fairtrade is a small line of Fairtrade-certified cotton tees and jeans in muted tropical tones. Monsoon also sponsors Estethica, a loose group of green suppliers, and through its Accessorize brand, is supporting a workshop for Afghan female embroiderers, bringing their traditional embroidery to the British high street.

Mark Liu (London)

A former Alexander McQueen intern and grad of Central St Martins' Textile Futures program, Mark Liu creates fashions that are futuristic in both their appearance and their outlook. Zero Waste Tailoring is his method of designing garments whose pattern pieces interlock like a jigsaw puzzle, saving the 15% of fabric that normally gets wasted in the cutting process.

Jaeha (New Zealand)

The young Korean-born designer Alex Kim has been making waves across the Pacific since graduating from the Auckland University of Technology two years ago. His dark F/W 2008 collection, inspired by Edward Scissorhands, featured draped dresses, tailored waistcoats, and skinny jeans that boasted luggage details such as eyelets, drawstrings, and plentiful zippers on basic fabrics like t-shirt jersey, denim, and silk.

American Vintage (Paris)

Refined, feminine basics are the mainstay of Michael Azoulay's three-year-old womenswear line, inspired by the designer's travels to the US and other exotic realms. American Vintage produces ultra-simple, casual woven and knit pieces in natural fibers -- oversized tees, long boyish shorts, button-down jersey dresses in soft colors seem to be mainstays of their customer's suitcase-ready wardrobe.

Maje (Paris)

Started by designer Judith Milgrom, this 10-year-old line has already spread its reach from France to Spain, China, and the United States, and from womenswear into coordinating girls' clothes, and will launch an accessories line for F/W 2008. Beloved of French actresses, with Brigitte Bardot as the label's muse, Maje makes feminine garments that are easy, chic, and very French, in natural fabrics with eyelet and ruffle details.