If you're into avant-garde streetwear that feels both futuristic and functional, you're probably already a fan of Heliot Emil. The brand is known for its experimental and sculptural silhouettes, technical fabrics, and seriously innovative details that make every piece a statement.
For those who love Heliot Emil's boundary-pushing blend of high-fashion structure and utilitarian edge, finding other brands with a similar vibe can be a challenge. But don't worry, we've done the deep searching for you. Here are 19 similar brands that serve up that same forward-thinking energy.
Known as the lord of darkness in high fashion, Rick Owens creates avant-garde luxury with a gothic slant. His designs are all about dramatic draped silhouettes, monochrome palettes, and deconstructed shapes that push fashion's limits. Think wearable sculptures in black, grey, and dust.
While Heliot Emil leans into technical streetwear, Rick Owens offers a more organic, Goth-inspired alternative. If you love experimental shapes and aren't afraid of a bit of drama, Rick Owens delivers high-fashion edge in spades. The price point is significantly higher, positioning it as an aspirational luxury brand for true collectors.
Shop now at www.rickowens.eu
Started by Yoon Ahn, Ambush began as an experimental jewelry line and evolved into a full ready-to-wear collection with an industrial, Tokyo-inspired vibe. The brand is famous for statement jewelry like oversized chain necklaces and lighter-case pendants, which pair perfectly with their utilitarian-chic apparel.
Like Heliot Emil, Ambush blends high-fashion concepts with streetwear coolness, but with a stronger focus on accessories. If you live for architectural details and want pieces that blend seamlessly into an edgy, cohesive style, Ambush is your perfect match.
Shop now at ambushdesign.com
Acronym is a holy grail for techwear purists. This brand doesn’t just make clothes, it engineers high-performance apparel systems. Helmed by Errolson Hugh, Acronym is legendary for its focus on function, using cutting-edge materials and modular designs that allow for incredible versatility.
If you're drawn to Heliot Emil for its technical fabrics and utilitarian feel, think of Acronym as that concept turned up to eleven. It's less about runway looks and more about creating the most advanced, functional outerwear and apparel on the planet. The price point is high, reflecting its commitment to unparalleled innovation.
Shop now at acrnm.com
Craig Green is an artist as much as a designer, creating menswear that is conceptual, emotional, and deeply beautiful. His work often features sculptural elements, workwear-inspired quilting, and intricate strap details, turning clothing into a form of expression.
Similar to Heliot Emil, Green is interested in uniforms and utility, but his approach is more poetic and theatrical. His clothes are statement pieces in the truest sense - wearable art that commands attention while being rooted in practical shapes, representing the avant-garde aesthetic at its most thoughtful.
Shop now at craiggreen.com
A true master of avant-garde design, Yohji Yamamoto has been crafting poetic, deconstructed fashion for decades. He is known for his oversized, flowing silhouettes, masterful tailoring, and predominantly black color palette that allows shape and form to take center stage.
While Heliot Emil offers a sharper, more futuristic sci-fi feel, Yohji Yamamoto's world is more romantic and intellectual. It's a quieter form of rebellion, perfect for those who appreciate architectural clothing with a timeless, artisanal quality.
Shop now at yohjiyamamoto.co.jp
Famed for its anti-fashion, post-Soviet aesthetic, Vetements completely reshaped modern streetwear. The brand is built on deconstruction, irony, and massively oversized silhouettes, transforming everyday items like hoodies and bombers into sought-after luxury goods.
Vetements shares Heliot Emil’s rebellious attitude and love for unconventional shapes. If you are drawn to fashion that plays with proportion and has a sense of humor, Vetements offers an edgier, more graphic-heavy alternative that is all about culture and commentary.
Shop now at www.vetementswebsite.com
Damir Doma offers a more minimal and refined take on avant-garde fashion. The brand is known for its "silent protest" aesthetic, focusing on soft, layered silhouettes, intriguing textures, and a neutral color palette. The designs are a study in proportions and fabric.
This brand is for those who love Heliot Emil’s architectural forms but prefer a more subtle, organic approach. It’s less about sharp, industrial lines and more about intellectual, effortless layering and shapes that feel both modern and timeless.
Shop now at damirdoma.com
This Swedish designer specializes in unconventional pattern cutting and draping, resulting in experimental pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind. His collections explore the relationship between the body and the garment, featuring asymmetrical cuts, voluminous shapes, and a futuristic vibe.
Rickard Lindqvist is a great niche discovery for hardcore fans of Heliot Emil’s more conceptual side. It’s fashion for those who see clothing as a performance and want unique, art-gallery-worthy pieces that defy convention.
Shop now at rickardlindqvist.com
OAMC, which stands for Over All Master Cloth, expertly combines high-fashion sensibility with technical, workwear-inspired design. Founded by Luke Meier (of Jil Sander), the brand delivers impeccably made outerwear, separates, and knits with a modern, utilitarian twist.
Think of OAMC as the more mature, refined sibling to Heliot Emil. It shares the same love for technical fabrics and functional details but presents them in a cleaner, more quietly luxurious package perfect for building a sophisticated and forward-thinking wardrobe.
Shop now at oamc.com
Based in Stockholm, Eytys burst onto the scene with its signature chunky-soled sneakers and has since expanded into a full range of apparel with a brutalist, minimalist aesthetic. Their collections feature oversized unisex fits, statement hardware, and interesting textures.
If you love how Heliot Emil styles its looks with bold, substantial footwear, Eytys is a must-know. While their primary focus is footwear, the clothing nails that same edgy, architectural vibe with a slightly '90s-inspired utilitarian feel.
Shop now at eytys.com
Conceptualized by designer Yixi Chen, C2H4 bills itself as a science lab that creates "chemist-wear." The brand has a strong sci-fi narrative, blending futuristic concepts with deconstructed cyberpunk aesthetics, functional details, and experimental fabric treatments.
This brand is perhaps one of the closest cousins to Heliot Emil in its visual and conceptual storytelling. If you’re energized by futuristic uniforms, intricate layering, and pieces that look like they belong in a dystopian thriller, C2H4 is right up your alley.
Shop now at c2h4.com
John Elliott excels at creating elevated everyday essentials from premium, often custom-developed, fabrics. While decidedly more grounded than Heliot Emil, the brand focuses on meticulous fits, clean lines, and unique textiles, giving their minimal pieces a subtle edge.
It's the perfect choice for when you want the high-quality materials and thoughtful silhouettes of an avant-garde brand but designed for daily wear. It's a less aggressive, more approachable take on modern, futuristic basics.
Shop now at johnelliott.com
Under the direction of Glenn Martens, Y/Project has become synonymous with architectural, genre-bending fashion. The brand is celebrated for its wild deconstruction and extreme proportions, taking familiar items like jeans, trench coats, and slip dresses and completely re-imagining their forms.
Y/Project shares Heliot Emil's love for disrupting classic silhouettes but takes it to a histrionic, often couture-like level. Many pieces are versatile and can be worn in different ways, appealing to a customer who loves to experiment and create their own look.
Shop now at yproject.fr
Founded by Matthew M. Williams, 1017 ALYX 9SM merges luxury polish with street-savvy aesthetics and technical influences. The brand is known for its sharp tailoring, refined industrial style, and iconic hardware, especially the "Rollercoaster" buckle seen on everything from belts to bags.
ALYX lives in the same world as Heliot Emil, offering a sleek, high-end version of modern utilitarian fashion. It's for someone who appreciates precise tailoring and standout accessories but loves the hard edge of technical fabrics and industrial design.
Shop now at www.alyxstudio.com
Hailing from Warsaw, Poland, MISBHV combines nostalgia for Eastern European rave culture with a slick, contemporary streetwear sensibility. Their collections are filled with edgy graphics, unexpected textures, deconstructed basics, and body-conscious silhouettes that feel both raw and refined.
MISBHV offers a similar avant-garde vibe to Heliot Emil but with a youthful, club-kid energy and at a more accessible price point. If you’re looking for bold statement pieces with a rebellious spirit, this is your brand.
Shop now at misbhv.com
This brand operates at the intersection of fashion, art, and technology, creating what can only be described as wearable masterpieces. Known for its complex fabric manipulations, unconventional cuts, and truly sculptural forms, Fundamental Agreement produces clothes that are highly artistic.
If you're fascinated by Heliot Emil's ability to innovate with fabric and shape, this brand pushes that idea into new territory. This is deep-cut avant-garde for the true fashion head who wants collector's pieces no one else will have.
Shop now at fundamentalagreement.com
While Nudie Jeans is primarily famous for its sustainable raw denim, its ethos of quality craftsmanship and cool Scandinavian design gives it an interesting edge. The brand encourages repairing jeans for life, fostering a connection to the garment that many fast-fashion brands lack.
Hear us out: while not an avant-garde brand, Nudie offers the foundation for a futuristic wardrobe. Its high-quality, perfectly fitted denim provides the ideal canvas for more experimental pieces from brands like Heliot Emil, grounding your look with an eco-conscious base.
Shop now at nudiejeans.com
London-based designer Martine Rose is a master of taste, known for her subversive and intelligent takes on menswear staples. She expertly plays with proportions - often slightly “off” in the most brilliant way - and draws inspiration from various subcultures, from '90s rave to City banking.
Like Heliot Emil, Martine Rose creates unconventional silhouettes that challenge the norm. Hers is a quieter, quirkier experimentation with a distinct vintage sensibility, perfect for those who want fashion that is both smart and coolly strange.
Shop now at martine-rose.com
Designer Zheng Wang's eponymous label is a treasure for those who love bold, architectural style. Zheng specializes in sculptural, often futuristic pieces that transform the human silhouette through innovative pattern cutting and experimental fabrics.
Much like Heliot Emil, this brand believes in making a statement with form. The looks are bold, clean, and striking, catering to the individual who uses clothing to express a powerful point of view.
Shop now at zhengclothing.com
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