Avant Garde Streetwear is a style defined by its cutting-edge and unconventional approach to fashion, turning heads with its bold designs and experimental silhouettes. Merging high fashion with urban aesthetics, this genre constantly pushes the limits of traditional streetwear.

When considering brands that embody this avant-garde spirit, Rick Owens stands out for its East L.A. goth vibe, while Off-White fuses street style with contemporary art commentary. Likewise, Vetements captures attention with its deconstructed silhouettes and subversive graphics, proving that streetwear can be both daring and thought-provoking. For more brands that mirror this innovative style, check out the full list below.

If you'd like to learn more about Avant Garde Streetwear, check out our comprehensive FAQ here.

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A women wearing a Rick Owens black porterville metro coat

Rick Owens

Size Guide
$$$$
Very High
$$$$ (Very High)
High-Fashion
Origin
Los Angeles, USA
Made in
Italy
Founded
1994

Rick Owens is known for his avant-garde, edgy style. His designs often feature unconventional cuts and draping, and he is known for incorporating unusual materials and textures into his collections. Owens is particularly known for his dark, gothic aesthetic, and his clothing often has a dramatic and sculptural quality to it. Discover more brands like Rick Owens here.

A women wearing a Off-White black off stamp rib round maxi dress

Off-White

Size Guide
$$$
High
$$$ (High)
Streetwear
High-Fashion
Origin
Milan, Italy
Made in
China
Founded
2012

Off-White is an Italian luxury fashion brand, founded in 2012 by designer Virgil Abloh. It's known for its streetwear-inspired, high-end fashion clothing, which have a distinctive aesthetic that blends luxury with streetwear.

A women wearing a VETEMENTS red gym track jacket

VETEMENTS

Size Guide
$$$
High
$$$ (High)
Fashion-forward
Origin
Paris, France
Made in
Europe
Founded
2014

Vetements is a French brand that is known for its unconventional approach to fashion. The brand's designs often challenge traditional ideas of beauty and incorporate oversized proportions and unusual silhouettes. Vetements has become a cult favorite among fashion insiders and is known for its unique, conceptual collections that often incorporate a sense of humor and irony.

A women wearing a Balenciaga black activewear sports bra

Balenciaga

Size Guide
$$$
High
$$$ (High)
High-Fashion
Origin
San Sebastian, Spain
Made in
Italy
Founded
1919

Balenciaga is a luxury fashion brand known for its contemporary, innovative designs. Expect a commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail, with their clothing often characterized by  clean lines, modern silhouettes, and high-quality materials.

Boris Bidjan Saberi

Size Guide
$$-$$$
Med-High
$$-$$$ (Med-High)
Avant-garde
Edgy
Origin
Barcelona, Spain
Made in
Europe
Founded
2006
Boris Bidjan Saberi is a high-end fashion brand that is known for its avant-garde and edgy designs. The brand is recognized for its use of innovative materials, intricate detailing, and dark color palettes, which create a unique and distinct aesthetic.

The Viridi-Anne

Size Guide
$$$
High
$$$ (High)
Minimalist
Origin
Tokyo, Japan
Made in
Japan
Founded
2001

The Viridi-Anne is a Japanese fashion brand known for its minimalist, utilitarian designs. Founded by designer Takahiro Miyazaki in the early 2000s, the brand has gained a reputation for its clean, understated aesthetic and focus on high-quality construction.

$$$
High
$$$ (High)
High-Fashion
Origin
Tokyo, Japan
Made in
Japan
Founded
2001

Julius is a Japanese fashion brand known for its edgy, avant-garde menswear and accessories. It is beloved for  its unique and rebellious aesthetic.

A women wearing a Yohji Yamamoto black dian 2 r-mohair turtleneck

Yohji Yamamoto

Size Guide
$$$
High
$$$ (High)
Avant-garde
Origin
Tokyo, Japan
Made in
Japan
Founded
1972

Yohji Yamamoto is a Japanese fashion designer known for his avant-garde, oversized designs and monochromatic color palettes. Expect an edgy style that blends Japanese minimalism and a European sophistication.

A women wearing a Y-3 black warp maxi dress
$$-$$$
Med-High
$$-$$$ (Med-High)
No items found.
Origin
Tokyo, Japan
Made in
Asia
Founded
2002
Y-3 is a collaborative brand between Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto and Adidas. The brand is known for its avant-garde and futuristic designs that blend high-fashion with sportswear.
A women wearing a black 1017 ALYX 9SM hoodie

1017 ALYX 9SM

Size Guide
$$$
High
$$$ (High)
Streetwear
Contemporary
Origin
Ferrara, Italy
Made in
Europe
Founded
2015
1017 ALYX 9SM is a luxury streetwear brand known for its innovative designs that blend high fashion and utilitarian elements. The brand is also recognized for its use of premium materials and attention to detail, creating a unique aesthetic that appeals to a wide range of fashion enthusiasts.
A women wearing a Alexander McQueen black slashed harness midi dress

Alexander McQueen

Size Guide
$$$
High
$$$ (High)
Avant-garde
Edgy
Origin
London, England
Made in
Europe
Founded
1992
Alexander McQueen is a luxury fashion brand known for its avant-garde and dramatic designs. The brand is recognized for its edgy and rebellious aesthetic, often incorporating intricate details and unconventional materials into its pieces.
A women wearing a Alexander Wang white wrap minidress

Alexander Wang

Size Guide
$$$$
Very High
$$$$ (Very High)
Edgy
Minimalist
Origin
New York, USA
Made in
China
Founded
2005
Alexander Wang is known for its edgy and urban aesthetic, with a focus on minimalism and sleek silhouettes. The brand's designs often feature black and white color palettes, leather accents, and unexpected details.
A women wearing a Ann Demeulemeester white dete shirt

Ann Demeulemeester

Size Guide
$$$
High
$$$ (High)
Avant-garde
Origin
Antwerp, Belgium
Made in
Belgium
Founded
1985

Ann Demeulemeester is a Belgian fashion brand known for their dark, edgy aesthetic and avant-garde designs. The brand is often characterized by a dark, moody aesthetic and a focus on unconventional, edgy silhouettes.

Haider Ackermann

Size Guide
$$$$
Very High
$$$$ (Very High)
Contemporary
Origin
Paris, France
Made in
France
Founded
2002

Haider Ackermann is a Colombian fashion designer known for his luxurious, modernist aesthetic and drapey, structured garments. With a romantic and bohemian flair, expect to find one of a kind looks.

A women wearing a Junya Watanabe black sequinned minidress

Junya Watanabe

Size Guide
$$$$
Very High
$$$$ (Very High)
Avant-garde
Contemporary
Origin
Tokyo, Japan
Made in
Japan
Founded
1992
Junya Watanabe is a Japanese fashion designer known for his avant-garde and innovative designs. His eponymous clothing brand is known for its experimental cuts, unique fabric combinations, and unconventional silhouettes that challenge traditional fashion norms.
A women wearing a UNDERCOVER black flower t-shirt

UNDERCOVER

Size Guide
$$$
High
$$$ (High)
Avant-garde
Origin
Tokyo, Japan
Made in
Japan
Founded
1993

Undercover is a Japanese clothing brand primarily known for its avant-garde and often dark designs, which blend elements of punk, streetwear, and high fashion. The brand's collections often feature unexpected details and innovative use of materials, as well as an emphasis on storytelling and narrative themes.

A women wearing a Issey Miyake white & purple asagao maxi dress

Issey Miyake

Size Guide
$$$
High
$$$ (High)
Innovative
Contemporary
Origin
Tokyo, Japan
Made in
Japan
Founded
1970
Issey Miyake is a Japanese fashion brand known for its innovative designs and use of technology in fashion. The brand is famous for its signature pleats and geometric patterns, which are often inspired by nature and architecture.
A women wearing a Sacai black t-shirt midi dress
$$$
High
$$$ (High)
Avant-garde
Technical
Origin
Tokyo, Japan
Made in
Japan
Founded
1999
Sacai is a Japanese fashion brand known for its innovative and avant-garde designs that often combine contrasting fabrics, textures, and patterns. The brand's signature style is a fusion of traditional and modern elements, resulting in unique and unexpected pieces that are both functional and fashion-forward.

Craig Green

Size Guide
$$$$
Very High
$$$$ (Very High)
Avant-garde
Utilitarian
Origin
London, United Kingdom
Made in
Asia
Founded
2012
Craig Green is a British menswear designer known for his innovative and sculptural designs that blend functionality and avant-garde aesthetics. His collections often feature unique and intricate construction techniques, bold color choices, and utilitarian elements.
A women wearing a Helmut Lang black gusset leather minidress

Helmut Lang

Size Guide
$$$$
Very High
$$$$ (Very High)
High-Fashion
Origin
Austria
Made in
Europe & Asia
Founded
1986

Helmut Lang is an Austrian fashion brand is known for its edgy, minimalist aesthetic and high-quality construction. Helmut Lang is credited with helping to define the "minimalist" aesthetic of the 1990s and has been influential in shaping the direction of fashion design in the decades since.

A women wearing a Martine Rose navy rider coat

Martine Rose

Size Guide
$$$$
Very High
$$$$ (Very High)
Eclectic
Streetwear
Origin
London, UK
Made in
Asia
Founded
2007
Martine Rose is a London-based brand known for its bold and unconventional designs that challenge traditional gender norms. The brand's signature oversized silhouettes and playful prints have gained a cult following among fashion enthusiasts.
A women wearing a Comme des Garçons black pleated faux-leather midi dress

Comme des Garçons

Size Guide
$$-$$$
Med-High
$$-$$$ (Med-High)
Avant-garde
Contemporary
Origin
Tokyo, Japan
Made in
Japan
Founded
1969
Comme des Garçons is a Japanese fashion label founded by designer Rei Kawakubo in 1969. The brand is known for its avant-garde designs, unconventional silhouettes, and use of unexpected materials.
$$$$
Very High
$$$$ (Very High)
No items found.
Origin
Berlin, Germany
Made in
Germany
Founded
1892
GmbH is a Berlin-based fashion label that is known for its avant-garde designs and unconventional silhouettes. The brand is celebrated for its use of sustainable materials and its commitment to ethical production practices.

Facetasm

Size Guide
$$$
High
$$$ (High)
Avant-garde
Eclectic
Origin
Tokyo, Japan
Made in
Japan
Founded
2007
Facetasm is a clothing brand known for its minimalist and timeless designs that cater to both men and women. The brand uses high-quality materials and focuses on creating versatile pieces that can be easily mixed and matched.
$$$$
Very High
$$$$ (Very High)
Streetwear
Edgy
Origin
London, England
Made in
Japan
Founded
1994
Ambush is a Japanese fashion brand known for its unique and innovative designs that combine streetwear and high fashion. The brand is recognized for its use of bold colors, oversized silhouettes, and unconventional materials.

The 25 Best Avant Garde Streetwear Brands

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FAQ

What defines avant-garde streetwear?

Avant-garde streetwear is a subset of streetwear that pushes the boundaries of traditional design and fashion norms. It combines unconventional silhouettes, innovative materials, and artistic influences to create unique clothing that often appears more runway-centric than casual. This style emphasizes creativity and self-expression, frequently incorporating asymmetry, layering techniques, and oversized fits. Brands such as Rick Owens, Yohji Yamamoto, and A Cold Wall are known for their avant-garde aesthetics.---

How do I incorporate avant-garde streetwear into my wardrobe?

Incorporating avant-garde streetwear into your wardrobe involves blending standout pieces with your existing clothing. Start by investing in key avant-garde items such as oversized jackets, asymmetric tops, or unique footwear. Pair these pieces with more traditional streetwear staples like joggers or basic tees to maintain balance. Accessorizing with statement items—such as unusual hats or bags—can also enhance your look. Remember that avant-garde streetwear thrives on creativity, so don’t be afraid to experiment with layering and textures!---

What are the key brands to look for in avant-garde streetwear?

Several notable brands are recognized for their contribution to avant-garde streetwear. Some of the key labels include:- **Rick Owens:** Known for his dark aesthetic and innovative use of materials and shapes.- **Yohji Yamamoto:** Famous for his avant-garde designs and fusion of Japanese influences with contemporary streetwear.- **A Cold Wall:** A brand that fuses streetwear with social commentary, often using industrial materials and designs.- **Haider Ackermann:** Blending tailored silhouettes with street-inspired aesthetics, often featuring bold color palettes.- **Balenciaga:** While more mainstream, their silhouettes and stylistic choices have a significant avant-garde influence.---

Is avant-garde streetwear suitable for everyday wear?

Avant-garde streetwear can be suitable for everyday wear, but it often depends on how you style the pieces. While some designs may be more dramatic or complex, they can be toned down by pairing them with simpler, more casual items. For example, wearing a striking avant-garde jacket over a basic tee and jeans can create a balanced look appropriate for daily activities. The key is to find individual pieces that resonate with your personal style and to mix them with familiar staples for practicality.---

What should I consider when buying avant-garde streetwear?

When buying avant-garde streetwear, consider the following factors:- **Fit and Silhouette:** Avant-garde designs often feature unique fits and shapes. Ensure you try pieces on or check sizing charts to find items that complement your body type. - **Quality of Materials:** Look for high-quality fabrics and construction, as avant-garde streetwear often emphasizes craftsmanship and detailing. - **Style Compatibility:** Think about how the pieces will fit into your existing wardrobe. You want items that can be styled in multiple ways. - **Cost vs. Investment:** Avant-garde pieces can be pricey due to their design and limited availability. Consider them as investment pieces that may elevate your wardrobe over time. - **Personal Expression:** Ultimately, choose items that resonate with your personal style and allow you to express yourself creatively.--- These answers provide a comprehensive overview of avant-garde streetwear, catering to enthusiasts and newcomers alike!

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