If you love fashion that feels more like wearable art, you're probably already a fan of Number Nine. Known for its cutting-edge, experimental, and sculptural designs, the brand creates high-concept pieces that are truly in a league of their own.
For those who appreciate fashion that pushes boundaries and challenges convention, the good news is there are other designers and brands exploring that same avant-garde space. Here are 17 brands like Number Nine that every lover of artistic fashion should have on their radar.
Rick Owens is the king of dark, minimalist drama. His world is built on draped silhouettes, elongated lines, and a signature monochrome palette that feels both rebellious and luxurious. Think sculptural coats, asymmetric tops, and iconic chunky-soled boots.
Like Number Nine, Rick Owens treats fashion as a form of dark art, but he leans more heavily into gothic and grunge influences. If you love experimental shapes but want them with a raw, gritty edge, his collections are a must-see.
Shop now at rickowens.eu
Founded by the legendary Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons is a true pioneer of conceptual fashion. The brand is famous for its deconstructed garments, unconventional shapes, and innovative fabric treatments that often have a playful, surreal quality.
While Number Nine's work is often based in sculptural elegance, CDG explores themes of chaos and beauty with a more whimsical, thought-provoking spirit. It’s the brand for those who want their clothes to start a conversation and challenge norms.
Shop now at comme-des-garcons.com
Under the creative direction of Demna, Balenciaga has become a hub for disruptive, maximalist, and avant-garde ideas. The brand masterfully blends high-concept silhouettes with a streetwear sensibility, resulting in oversized everything, deconstructed sneakers, and wildly exaggerated proportions.
Balenciaga shares Number Nine’s passion for experimental forms but filters it through a provocative, often controversial lens. It’s the perfect brand for anyone wanting to make a bold, in-your-face fashion statement.
Shop now at balenciaga.com
Yohji Yamamoto is a master of poetic, sculptural fashion that beautifully blurs the lines between genders. His designs are recognizable for their oversized, flowing fabrics, asymmetric cuts, and an iconic, almost-exclusive use of the color black.
Similar to Number Nine, Yohji sees clothing as an art form, but his approach feels more fluid and moody. For those who love avant-garde design with a sophisticated, textured, and almost romantic feel, Yohji Yamamoto is essential.
Shop now at yohjiyamamoto.co.jp
Famous for its signatures of deconstruction, anonymity, and inside-out design, Maison Margiela has been an avant-garde leader for decades. The house continuously experiments with raw edges, exposed seams, and unconventional materials to rethink what clothing can be.
Margiela shares a deep conceptual foundation with Number Nine but often leans into a more understated, intellectual vibe. It's the perfect choice for those who appreciate wearable art that’s both subtly clever and visually striking.
Shop now at maisonmargiela.com
Viktor & Rolf is celebrated for its theatrical, surreal, and often humorous approach to haute couture. Many of their runway pieces are quite literally wearable sculptures, featuring exaggerated shapes and conceptual themes that are designed to make you think.
Just like Number Nine, Viktor & Rolf expertly blur the line between fashion and art, pushing wearability to its absolute limit for the sake of a powerful statement. Their work is a testament to fashion's ability to be provocative and brilliant.
Shop now at viktor-rolf.com
Craig Green’s vision of fashion is structural, emotional, and deeply conceptual. Drawing influence from uniforms and utilitarian workwear, his collections often feature sculptural, armor-like silhouettes made from layered fabrics with a dark and moody undertone.
Green shares Number Nine's commitment to conceptual innovation, creating garments that are visually stunning and intellectually stimulating. His work is perfect for anyone seeking fashion that serves as a form of artistic expression.
Shop now at craig-green.com
Haider Ackermann is known for creating an atmosphere of languid, effortless cool. His collections combine luxurious fabrics like silks and leathers with architectural, avant-garde silhouettes. Expect masterfully draped jackets, asymmetric tops, and rich textures that add a sense of romance and drama.
While often more refined than Number Nine’s work, Ackermann's aesthetic appeals to a similar desire for artful, conceptual clothing that remains incredibly elegant and sophisticated.
Shop now at haiderackermann.com
1017 ALYX 9SM brings a unique, tech-inspired edge to the avant-garde space. The brand, under Matthew M. Williams, blends streetwear codes with high-fashion sensibilities, using bold hardware, technical fabrics, and futuristic details to create a sleek, industrial vibe.
Alyx channels Number Nine's experimental spirit into pieces that feel more grounded in function and street culture. If you love innovative design that bridges the gap between art and utility, Alyx is your go-to.
Shop now at alyxstudio.com
Koché delivers a rebellious, modern spin on couture. Founder Christelle Kocher combines high-fashion craftsmanship with a street-savvy attitude, leading to collections filled with oversized silhouettes, intricate embellishments, and unexpected fabric mashups.
Like Number Nine, Koché's designs are art-driven and fearless, perfect for someone who isn't afraid to stand out. It’s avant-garde fashion made for the cool kids.
Shop now at koche.fr
Created by Alessandro Dell’Acqua, N°21 merges playful, often feminine details with innovative, high-fashion forms. The brand is known for unexpected combinations, featuring geometric silhouettes, artful cut-outs, and textural contrasts that push familiar ideas in new directions.
While more accessible than Number Nine, it shares a similarly experimental spirit. N°21 is great for those looking for sculptural, statement pieces that are still fun and easy to wear.
Shop now at no-21.com
Rad Hourani's work is an exploration of stark, unisex minimalism. His designs strip fashion down to its purest form, focusing on sleek, transformable, geometric shapes and a strictly monochromatic palette.
The aesthetic is a world away from Number Nine’s sometimes-elaborate structures, but it shares the same core belief that fashion is a powerful art form. For a minimalist who still craves avant-garde principles, Rad Hourani's refined vision is perfect.
Shop now at radhourani.com
Rejina Pyo designs for those who appreciate art and fashion in equal measure. Her pieces are known for their modern, architectural shapes, thoughtful details, and unexpected pops of color. You'll find inventive separates, sculptural heels, and artfully draped dresses in every collection.
Compared to Number Nine, Rejina Pyo’s designs have a more accessible and playful vibe, but they maintain a strong dedication to creating wearable art that feels both unique and refined.
Shop now at rejinapyo.com
Designer Glenn Martens has turned Y/Project into a laboratory for fashion experimentation. Known for its deconstructed tailoring, versatile garments, and exaggerated proportions, the brand takes everyday staples like jeans and jackets and completely reinvents them.
Fans of Number Nine's commitment to pushing sculptural boundaries will love Y/Project's innovative, often mind-bending approach to design. It's edgy, clever, and endlessly interesting.
Shop now at yproject.fr
Paco Rabanne has been a destination for futuristic, boundary-pushing fashion since the 1960s. Today, the house continues that legacy with its iconic chainmail dresses, metallic materials, and sculptural pieces that feel inspired by both art and technology.
Like Number Nine, Paco Rabanne elevates fashion beyond mere clothing into something more profound and artistic. It's the ultimate brand for making a glamorous, high-impact statement.
Shop now at paco-rabanne.com
A protégé of Rei Kawakubo, Junya Watanabe is a master innovator who often works with technical fabrics and deconstructed forms. His aesthetic is avant-garde and thought-provoking, finding beauty in unusual structures, layered composites, and utilitarian details.
Junya shares an experimental DNA with Number Nine but brings his own unique focus on technical craftsmanship and reimagined functionality. His work is for the cerebral fashion lover.
Shop now at junyawatanabe.co.jp
Though the brand is no longer active, Sies Marjan's archives are a treasure trove of artful fashion. Designer Sander Lak was celebrated for his masterful use of color, creating collections that flowed with vibrant, jewel-toned saturation. His pieces featured luxurious fabrics and elegant, sculptural shapes that were both bold and emotional.
Similar to Number Nine, Sies Marjan prioritized artistic expression and unique silhouettes, but did so through a lens of rich color and fluid texture rather than deconstruction.
Shop now at siesmarjan.com
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