On March 23, luxury e-commerce leader Net-a-Porter announced the brands selected for the 2026 edition of its emerging designer mentorship program, The Vanguard. This year’s cohort includes three New York-based labels: Kallmeyer, Colleen Allen, and Heirlome.
The program, which aims to discover and nurture emerging and independent designers, has become one of Net-a-Porter’s ongoing initiatives to support the future of fashion. The company described the selected brands as “fast emerging as influential voices in fashion, recognised for their distinctive creative perspectives and growing cultural impact.”
Each brand will receive bespoke mentorship and strategic business guidance, alongside dedicated campaign support to spotlight their Spring/Summer 2026 collections. Beyond creative support, the program is structured to provide practical tools for scaling their businesses.
Three Distinct Creative Voices Emerging from New York
Notably, all three selected brands are based in New York. This reflects the city’s continued role as a key incubator for the next generation of designers.
Founded by Daniella Kallmeyer, Kallmeyer reimagines everyday wardrobe staples through a lens that blends masculine and feminine codes, with a strong focus on tailoring. Rooted in modern tailoring and minimalism, the brand’s latest collection explores what it describes as “architectural elegance.”
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Brooklyn-based designer Colleen Allen, who made her New York Fashion Week debut in 2024, is emerging as one of the city’s most exciting young talents. Having previously worked at The Row and under Raf Simons at Calvin Klein, Allen’s collections combine utilitarian fabrics with vintage-inspired silhouettes, offering a contemporary take on femininity infused with romantic elements.
Heirlome, founded by Stephanie Suberville and Jeffrey Axford, is known for its thoughtful yet playful approach to textiles. The brand collaborates each season with artisans across Mexico and Latin America, incorporating traditional techniques such as weaving, knitting and embroidery into its work.
Industry Leaders Driving Mentorship
Each brand has been paired with mentors tailored to their creative direction and business ambitions. Kallmeyer will be mentored by Net-a-Porter CEO Heather Kaminetsky and Toteme CEO Johanna Sjöberg. Colleen Allen will work with Rick Owens CEO Elsa Lanzo and AnOther Magazine fashion director Katie Shillingford. Heirlome will receive guidance from designer Gabriela Hearst and sustainability advocate Aditi Mayer.
Bringing together leaders from across business, editorial and sustainability, the program offers a dual approach that bridges creativity and commercial strategy.
From Discovery to Growth
Brigitte Chartrand, Chief Buying and Merchandising Officer at Net-a-Porter, commented: “The Vanguard program reflects our continued commitment to identifying and investing in the most exciting emerging talent shaping the future of fashion. [They] all demonstrate a distinctive design perspective, strong brand identity and clear growth potential. By pairing them with industry leaders and providing dedicated strategic support, we aim to help them scale thoughtfully and build enduring global businesses.”
The Vanguard has evolved beyond a platform for discovery into a framework for long-term growth. It reflects a broader shift in the role of e-commerce platforms — from distribution channels to infrastructure for nurturing and scaling emerging brands.
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