17 Avant-Garde Fashion Brands Like Ifsixwasnine

Discover avant-garde fashion brands like Ifsixwasnine, offering unique, sculptural silhouettes and experimental textures for bold, statement-making style.
Written by: 
Ash Read
Last updated: 

If you're drawn to the boundary-pushing, wearable art of Ifsixwasnine, then you know the thrill of finding fashion that feels more like a statement than just clothing. The brand’s blend of sculptural silhouettes, experimental textures, and dystopian edge makes its pieces feel truly one-of-a-kind.

For those who thrive on challenging traditional aesthetics, there's a whole world of avant-garde designers creating similarly mind-bending work. If you're ready to expand your collection of future-forward fashion, here are 17 brands that share that same rebellious, artistic spirit as Ifsixwasnine.

1. Rick Owens

Known as the "Lord of Darkness," Rick Owens is a must-know for any avant-garde fashion fan. His world is built on a dark, minimalist aesthetic with gothic and architectural influences, seen in his signature draped fabrics, elongated silhouettes, and dramatic, experimental cuts. Everything from his leather jackets to his iconic footwear feels like a piece of wearable sculpture.

While Ifsixwasnine leans into chaotic, layered textures, Rick Owens often strikes a more monochrome and sleek chord. Think of it as a more refined, brutalist take on rebellious fashion. If you love challenging forms but crave a slightly more minimalist foundation, Rick Owens is essential.

Shop now at www.rickowens.eu

2. Comme des Garçons

A legend in the world of conceptual fashion, Comme des Garçons, founded by Rei Kawakubo, has been challenging what clothing can be for decades. The brand is famous for its deconstructed approach, often featuring asymmetry, surreal proportions, and unexpected fabric pairings that turn traditional garments on their heads.

Like Ifsixwasnine, CDG treats fashion as an art form. However, where Ifsixwasnine embraces a more romantic, dystopian chaos, Comme des Garçons explores intellectual concepts through form and anti-form, questioning traditional standards of beauty with its often abstract and sculptural pieces.

Shop now at www.comme-des-garcons.com

3. Ann Demeulemeester

Ann Demeulemeester delivers a poetic and dark romanticism that feels both rebellious and refined. The brand is known for its flowing, layered silhouettes heavy on black and muted tones, with a masterful understanding of texture, movement, and light. It’s avant-garde fashion with a deep, emotional core.

If Ifsixwasnine's aesthetic is raw and chaotic, Ann Demeulemeester’s is more like a dark poem. Both brands share a love for unconventional beauty and dark aesthetics, but Ann D's approach is often softer and more fluid, making her pieces artistic yet incredibly wearable.

Shop now at www.anndemeulemeester.com

4. Damir Doma

Damir Doma offers a more minimal and serene take on avant-garde design. The brand focuses on oversized, deconstructed shapes and innovative draping, often presented in earthy, neutral palettes. The collections feel thoughtful and architectural, exploring the space between the body and the fabric.

This brand shares Ifsixwasnine’s experimental approach to silhouette but trades chaos for calm. It's the perfect choice for someone looking for thought-provoking, artistic pieces that feel subdued and intellectual rather than overtly theatrical.

Shop now at damirdoma.com

5. Gareth Pugh

If you're looking for fashion as pure performance art, look no further than Gareth Pugh. The British designer is known for his theatrical, futuristic, and structurally ambitious designs that often defy gravity. His work frequently features exaggerated proportions and unconventional materials, creating looks that are truly unforgettable.

Pugh and Ifsixwasnine both push creative limits to the extreme, but Pugh's work often feels more like conceptual armor or high-fashion costume. His pieces are undeniable statements designed for maximum impact, blurring the line between the runway and the stage.

Shop now at garethpugh.com

6. Yohji Yamamoto

Another master of Japanese avant-garde, Yohji Yamamoto is celebrated for his oversized silhouettes, masterful tailoring, and predominantly black palettes. His designs are all about volume, fluidity, and a sense of sophisticated rebellion, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with a modern, artistic sensibility.

While not as visually chaotic as Ifsixwasnine, Yohji Yamamoto's dedication to innovative cuts and layered styling creates a powerful uniform for creatives. His work is for those who appreciate intellectual, artsy fashion that provides ultimate comfort without sacrificing an ounce of edge.

Shop now at www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp

7. Viktor & Rolf

The duo behind Viktor & Rolf are famous for bringing a sense of surrealism and high-concept artistry to the fashion world. Their collections often feel like wearable fairytales, blending couture craftsmanship with theatrical details, deconstructed forms, and exaggerated volumes.

They share a passion for pushing fashion's boundaries with Ifsixwasnine, but from a completely different angle. Viktor & Rolf's world is one of witty commentary and fantasy-driven design, transforming clothing into three-dimensional art projects that are often romantic and always unexpected.

Shop now at www.viktor-rolf.com

8. Rick Owens DRKSHDW

For those who love Rick Owens' dark, architectural world but want something a bit more accessible, DRKSHDW is the answer. This diffusion line offers the designer's signature aesthetic - draped jersey, oversized fits, and distressed finishes - with a distinct streetwear influence at a more approachable price point.

Like Ifsixwasnine, DRKSHDW provides staples for an experimental wardrobe, but these pieces are designed for everyday life. Think perfectly cut denim, avant-garde hoodies, and iconic sneakers that allow you to bring that underground vibe to a more casual context.

Shop now at www.rickowens.eu

9. Junya Watanabe

A protégé of Rei Kawakubo, Junya Watanabe is a master of "techno-couture." He is celebrated for his intellectually driven designs that feature incredibly innovative pattern-making, fabric manipulations, and a penchant for deconstructing traditional garments like trench coats and rider jackets.

Watanabe’s work shares a conceptual foundation with Ifsixwasnine, but his focus is deeply rooted in craftsmanship and reconstruction. He turns classic utility into complex, wearable art, making his pieces a dream for anyone who appreciates thoughtful, technical design.

Shop now at www.junya-watanabe.com

10. Craig Green

Craig Green has become a standout name in menswear for his sculptural and highly conceptual take on utility wear. His collections are packed with emotional and artistic depth, transforming workwear uniforms into something deeply expressive with straps, quilting, and dramatic, layered shapes.

Similar to Ifsixwasnine, Green is all about pushing limits, but his unique design language is built on ideas of protection, community, and uniform. It's avant-garde fashion filtered through a thoughtful, utilitarian lens that feels completely fresh.

Shop now at www.craig-green.com

11. Haider Ackermann

Haider Ackermann is the king of luxe, sensuous tailoring and masterful draping. His collections exude a dark, romantic energy with stunning use of color, rich textures, and asymmetric cuts that feel both effortlessly cool and incredibly sophisticated.

While more refined and less chaotic than Ifsixwasnine's aesthetic, both brands cater to someone who appreciates dramatic, unconventional glamour. Ackermann’s pieces are for nights out when you want to look sharp, artistic, and just a little bit dangerous.

Shop now at haiderackermann.com

12. Maison Margiela

A cornerstone of deconstructed and conceptual fashion, Maison Margiela is famous for challenging luxury norms. Known for its anonymous branding and inventive reconstruction of vintage garments, the House creates clothing, footwear, and accessories that are cerebral, anti-fashion statements.

Both Maison Margiela and Ifsixwasnine are driven by art, but Margiela’s focus is on deconstruction, repurposing, and the process behind the clothes. It's for the fashion philosopher who loves pieces soaked in concept and quiet rebellion.

Shop now at www.maisonmargiela.com

13. Nina Ricci (Avant-Garde Capsule)

While typically known for its Parisian elegance, Nina Ricci has explored more experimental territory, particularly under creative directors like Harris Reed. These avant-garde capsules push boundaries with bold, sculptural shapes and dramatic silhouettes that reimagine femininity in a powerful, artistic way.

These collections share Ifsixwasnine's spirit of high-impact artistry but filter it through a more polished, couture lens. It's a great choice when you want that avant-garde shock factor with a touch of refined luxury.

Shop now at www.ninaricci.com

14. Rad Hourani

A true visionary, Rad Hourani pioneered unisex haute couture with a stark, architectural aesthetic. His work is defined by strict minimalism, sharp geometric lines, and monochromatic palettes, creating a powerful, genderless uniform for the future.

If you're drawn to the structural aspects of Ifsixwasnine but prefer a cleaner, more streamlined look, Rad Hourani is your answer. His approach is less about layered chaos and more about pure, sharp form - minimal yet incredibly impactful.

Shop now at www.radhourani.com

15. Boris Bidjan Saberi

Boris Bidjan Saberi creates a gritty, post-apocalyptic uniform that merges avant-garde design with streetwear and artisanal craftsmanship. His pieces often feature distressed fabrics, intricate layering, functional details, and a dark palette, perfect for building a nomadic, modern wardrobe.

This brand shares the chaotic, layered vibe of Ifsixwasnine but injects it with a raw, utilitarian energy. If you lean toward a grittier, more urban look that still feels experimental, this is the brand for you.

Shop now at borisbidjansaberi.com

16. Issey Miyake

An innovator in fabric technology, Issey Miyake is world-renowned for his signature micro-pleating technique that results in sculptural, futuristic garments. His work emphasizes movement, comfort, and architectural form, creating art that comes alive when worn.

Issey Miyake shares an innovative ethos with Ifsixwasnine, but his approach is far more technical and optimistic. It's for the person who loves experimental fashion that feels airy, intelligent, and a little bit like it’s from the future.

Shop now at www.isseymiyake.com

17. Koché

A more under-the-radar brand mixing couture sensibility with street energy, Koché thrives on organized chaos. The brand often blends deconstructed sportswear, raw-edged tailoring, and intricate embellishments like lace and feathers, creating a look that is both edgy and elegant.

Koché perfectly captures that artful, rebellious spirit of Ifsixwasnine with its asymmetric cuts, textural layers, and unapologetic attitude. It’s an ideal brand for anyone searching for unique, handmade pieces that defy easy categorization.

Shop now at koche.fr

At Apart Style, we're obsessed with curating the best in fashion, beauty, and jewelry to help you discover new brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, style, and uniqueness. When you make a purchase through our links, Apart Style may earn a commission - which helps support our small team, and allows us to continue bringing you the best in online style brands.

Looking for more inspiration? Explore our full brand directory or check out our curated brand guides to find your new favorite thing.