85% matchVivienne Westwood
Original corsetry-and-punk London provocation
Brand profile
KNWLS
London designer label from Charlotte Knowles and Alexandre Arsenault, known for subversive, body-conscious corsetry, leather and warped tailoring.
LondonOrigin
Avant-gardeStyle
$$$$Price
Similar to Vivienne Westwood, Rick Owens Lilies, Alexander McQueen →
What to know about KNWLS
Womenswear, not menswear
KNWLS is a womenswear label built on corsetry, leather, distressed knits and semi-sheer separates — body-conscious pieces cut close rather than loose.
Corsetry as hard-edged armour
The signature look is warped tailoring and structured, body-mapping shapes that treat femininity as protective armour rather than something soft.
Institutionally backed London price tier
Founded by two Central Saint Martins graduates, it hit Fashion East in 2018 and the LVMH Prize final in 2022; tops run $310-530, dresses and outerwear $600-1,400.
If you like KNWLS
85% match
82% match
78% matchAlexander McQueen
Dark-romantic London tailoring with harness-like corsetry
76% matchY/Project
Twisted, contorted cuts on the same warped-sexy axis
Keep exploring
Brand facts
KNWLS is a south London womenswear label founded in 2017 by Central Saint Martins graduates Charlotte Knowles and Alexandre Arsenault, renamed from Charlotte Knowles in 2021. It builds body-conscious corsetry, leather, distressed knits, warped tailoring and semi-sheer separates around a subversive, armour-like femininity. The label debuted on the London Fashion Week schedule in 2018 via Fashion East, reached the 2022 LVMH Prize final, and appeared on the 2024 and 2026 BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund shortlists. Tops run roughly $310-530, dresses and outerwear $600-1,400. Stocked by SSENSE and END.
- Founded
- 2017
- Origin
- London, United Kingdom
- Price
- $$$$
- Facts checked
- August 2026
- Styles
- Avant-garde, Punk / Grunge / Goth
Help us with KNWLS fit
We don't have a fit consensus for KNWLS yet. Bought something? Add your fit below — it helps the next shopper.