The program offers mentorship, strategic guidance and campaign support for Spring 2026
Net-a-porter has selected three independent labels — Kallmeyer, Colleen Allen and Heirlome — for its annual mentorship initiative, The Vanguard, a program designed to support emerging designers with strategic guidance and global exposure.
The retailer described the trio as fast-rising “influential voices in fashion,” recognized for their distinct creative identities and growing cultural relevance. As part of the program, each brand will receive tailored mentorship, business support and dedicated campaign backing to spotlight their Spring 2026 collections.
“The Vanguard program reflects our continued commitment to identifying and investing in the most exciting emerging talent shaping the future of fashion,” said Brigitte Chartrand, chief buying and merchandising officer at Net-a-porter. She added that the selected designers demonstrate strong brand identity and clear growth potential, noting that the program aims to help them scale sustainably and build long-term global businesses.
Founded by Daniella Kallmeyer, New York-based label Kallmeyer focuses on reinterpreting wardrobe staples through a tailored lens, blending masculine and feminine codes. The designer, who also serves as chief executive officer, described the brand as independently run with an emphasis on sustainability and customer relationships, adding that the program offers an opportunity to refine its approach to growth.
Colleen Allen, also based in New York, debuted her label at New York Fashion Week in 2024. With experience at The Row and under Raf Simons at Calvin Klein, Allen’s work explores modern femininity through a mix of utilitarian materials and vintage-inspired silhouettes. She described the program as a chance to be part of a community that supports emerging designers as they expand their practice.
Heirlome, founded by Stephanie Suberville and Jeffrey Axford, works in collaboration with artisans across Mexico and Latin America, incorporating traditional techniques such as weaving, embroidery and print into its collections. Suberville said the initiative will provide a platform to elevate the brand’s work on a global scale.
Each designer has been paired with industry mentors aligned with their business and creative goals. 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 stylist Katie Shillingford, fashion director at AnOther magazine. Heirlome will receive guidance from designer Gabriela Hearst and sustainability advocate Aditi Mayer.
Through The Vanguard, Net-a-porter continues to position itself as both a retail platform and an incubator for emerging talent, combining commercial support with industry expertise to foster the next generation of fashion brands.