Practical Magic

The Cruise ’19 collection – and its capsule of pieces exclusive to NET-A-PORTER – draws upon an eclectic mix of global influences: the rich East-meets-West heritage of Hungary, traditional artisanal techniques of Japan and the attitude of the Wild West. If that sounds complicated, then rest assured that the resulting clothes are anything but. The vegan leather has been whipped up into boyish pants, streamlined leather skirts and button-up midi dresses in wear-forever shades of khaki and black. You’ll also find slinky wrap-around dresses and blouses that will neatly solve the ‘day at the office to evening out’ dressing challenge that you’re sure to be facing over the coming weeks; if you want to give them a more low-key spin, pair them with the ultra-desirable wide-leg jeans. Nanushka has the finishing touches covered, too, courtesy of low-heeled, big-buckled mules and croc-embossed ankle boots. Essentially, the label has conjured the ultimate capsule wardrobe, to see you through the foreseeable future – you won’t want to wear anything else.

Thanks to the far-reaching impact of Instagram, fashion insiders are finding it easier than ever before to seek out incredible brands hailing from unexpected locations. Case in point: Nanushka. The label, based in Budapest, was founded in 2005 by designer Sandra Sandor. After graduating from the London College of Fashion, she moved back home to Hungary and decided to throw herself in at the deep end, striking out on her own and learning her craft as she went. Her label, which takes its moniker from her childhood nickname, has been quietly and steadily building a local following for the past decade, and in the last couple of years, its reach has gone global. You’ll no doubt have seen the brand cropping up all over your social feed, worn by influencers and editors alike.

Nanushka’s success can’t just be chalked up to social media, though – the clothes have really cemented its appeal. Sandor has taken her time to create a signature aesthetic that mixes cultural references from far-flung countries with a determination to create pieces that are as functional and effortless as they are beautiful. The result? Cool, contemporary clothes that are brilliantly easy to wear and guaranteed to make you look good. And because it’s a truly modern brand, Sandor has one eye firmly fixed on its environmental impact and is doing her best to minimize it, joining forces with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and its circular economy initiative in a bid to be sustainable; those irresistible leather pieces, for example, are completely animal-free, made from the most authentic-feeling vegan leather that Sandor could track down.