Fashion Literacy: 3 Clothing Brands With Names Inspired by Fictional Stories

"Once Upon a Time..."

That one phrase can transport us to a different land, help us spend a rainy afternoon, and inspire movies, plays; even clothing brands. While some designers rely on the stories by well-loved authors to inspire, others craft their own narratives to create a brand. Here are three clothing brands inspired by beloved storybooks and their characters.

1. Hansen and Gretel

Hansen and Gretel is a sustainable Australian fashion label created by Ainsley Hansen. The name, "Hansen" mirroring the Creative Director's, but also reminiscent of the Grimm's Fairy Tale story name "Hansel and Gretel," highlights the masculine & feminine duality in clothing featured throughout the collections. The brand's focus on sustainability leads them to use natural fibers whenever possible, and re-use fabric samples to create less waste. Perhaps to mirror the darker themes and dissonance showcased in the Grimm fairytale, clothes often have loose and slightly undone silhouettes, contrasted always by playful feminine touches.

From left to right: Carmen Dress, Margerite Dress, and Bombay Top with Molly Skirt, via hansenandgretel.com; Sustainability information from https://hansenandgretel.com/sustainability-ethics/

2. It's Juliet

Inspired by William Shakespeare's tragic love story, It's Juliet is a Los Angeles, California based clothing line. Their website highlights that the clothing line is an "ode to love and the universal understanding of what love can make us do, and how it can make us feel." Clothing ranges from dresses to lounge wear and highlight the idea of modern femininity - helping the wearer fall in love with themselves first, through feeling confident.

https://itsjuliet.com/pages/about-us; From left to right: Tate Cropped Sweater Vest, Scout Knitted Crop Top, Oversized Vest

3. Brandy Melville

The young adult clothing line Brandy Melville has its own fictional story. Although not necessarily an actual book, the story goes that an American girl named Brandy meets and English boy named Melville in Rome and they fall in love. In line with the light-hearted story, clothes at Brandy embody the same free-spirited persona of being adventurous and young.

https://us.brandymelville.com/ (All credit to Brandy Melville - From left to right: Blair dress, Skylar Ribbed Floral Bow Tank, and Sof Low Waisted Plaid Skirt

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Want to find out the origins behind other fashion brands?

See https://www.whowhatwear.com/fashion-brand-names-history/slide2