ONES TO WATCH: S.K. MANOR HILL

After studying fashion design in Florence, Italy, designer Dominic Sondag began his career in fashion at London’s Chucs Dive & Mountain Shop, where he designed men’s items for the brand. When he eventually decided to move back to the U.S. in 2012, Sondag landed at Engineered Garments working with its design and development teams. He credits his interactions with designer Daiki Suzuki as his catalyst for diving deeper into the industry, which ultimately inspired him to launch his own men’s ready-to-wear collection, S.K. Manor Hill, in spring 2016.

Sondag’s designs are heavily inspired by vintage garments and classic silhouettes from around the world. Popular items in his collection include his banded collar shirts with rounded hems as well as his folk robe, which is based on an Asian-style kimono. “The kimono has gained some resurgence in the past few seasons, but also maintains its traditional and timeless aesthetic, which in my opinion, works well for both a sophisticated yet casual look,” says Sondag. “The one I make is constructed in such a way that it can be worn in multiple ways, which adds versatility to a guy’s look.”

Sondag’s unique aesthetic has found success with retailers all around the world, such as American Rag, Gentry, and Unionmade in the U.S., as well as Lost & Found in Canada and Maidens in Japan. For spring 2018, expect to find fantastic wood-block printed fabrics throughout the collection, along with carryover styles and some new silhouettes.