The Best Designers Who Are In Their 20s

The youth is killin' it.

Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

The subject of current 20-somethings has been a topic that's been divisively and hilariously talked about in various forms of media in the very recent past. Whether it's Girls lamenting the process of finding oneself, or pointing to the current state of the job market and what it takes to obtain gainful employment, both ourselves and our elders love to point out that we complain about how hard it is to be a 20-something.

You know who isn't complaining? Those 20-somethings who are currently on top. A combination of low entry barriers and new means of gaining recognition and distribution (i.e. the Internet) have allowed a ton of young designers to proliferate, and a handful have even managed to find themselves on top of the fashion world. If you want to get inspired and/or feel shitty about your current position in life, click through The Best Designers In Their 20s.

Rhuigi Villasenor

Age: 21
Brand: Rhude

After Kendrick Lamar was spotted rocking a Rhude Bandana print T-shirt, everyone wanted a piece of Rhuigi Villasenor's brand. This surprised everyone except perhaps Rhuigi, who has been a part of and designing for L.A.'s recent crop of cool kids that are slowly but surely leaving their mark on the wider landscape of style. But don't peg Rhuigi for just another kid making T-shirts in his parents' crib. His AW13 collection challenges notions of gender, and is informed by "the youth culture and their involvement in terrorism and revolution and political aspects..." He assures his audience that "I’m a little more world conscious about what’s going on everywhere." As long as he keeps pushing his agenda, as well as challenging others to keep up, Rhuigi's going to have a long reign near or at the top of brands dominating the conversation.

Olivier Rousteing

Age: 27
Brand: Balmain

Most 27-year-olds consider a day to be a victory if they eat something other than a frozen burrito for dinner. At the complete opposite end of the spectrum, Olivier Rousteing is designing for one of the best luxury European labels out there, and has been since he was the ridiculous age of 25. Balmain has very quickly and very quietly established itself as a label that understands and speaks to the youth without sacrificing its legacy as a classic luxury house. Rousteing's motorcycle jeans are a favorite amongst both snooty sophisticates and grungy streetwear kids. And if you don't envy the dude yet, just remember that Rihanna went from his biggest fan to his bff in a heartbeat.

Charlie Casely-Hayford

Age: 26
Brand: Casely-Hayford

Memorize this name because you will be seeing a lot of it soon. The son of living legend Joe Casely-Hayford definitely has his father's classic menswear Gieves & Hawkes sensibilities, but is bringing an anarchic mayhem to the traditional clothing. This resulted in an absolutely sick AW13 collection that is as much directional streetwear as it is tailored menswear. We might have to come up with a new genre title when this collection drops...

Agi Mdumulla and Sam Cotton

Age: 27; 27
Brand: Agi and Sam

The last standing ovation you ever got was when all the potty-training paid off and you were finally able to do it all by yourself. That was a long time ago. Agi & Sam got a standing O at their recent SS14 show at London Collections: Men. They're 27. Their vibrant, fun collections that are expertly tailored are getting a ton of attention and critical praise, and are better than anything you'll do at 27. Sorry.

Alex Mattson

Age: 29
Brand: Alex Mattson

The Norwegian-born and now London-based Alex Mattson is definitely playing a leading role in "this whole sports-luxe, street-luxe thing that’s going on now" in London, as he puts it. It's definitely not streetwear in the traditional sense of the concept, and his futuristic jungle party/warfare gear that mixes '90s hip-hop with refined tailoring is helping to forge a new genre that's blossoming as we speak. Do you know how few 20-somethings can say they blossomed something?

J.W. Anderson

Age: 29
Brand: J.W. Anderson; Versus Versace

So what if J.W. Anderson has only made clothes that would work in one of New York's hottest clubs that Stefon frequents? He hasn't even hit 30 yet and is designing for the legendary Versace, not to mention designing a AW13 collection that had the Internet all a-twitter. When was the last time the Internet noticed something you did?

Astrid Andersen

Age: 28
Brand: Astrid Andersen

We've said it before and we'll say it again: Astrid Andersen is blending London and Copenhagen streetwear to create something that has us a lot more excited than numerous other hyped up brands of late. The Danish-born designer just produced her first solo show after spending a few seasons under the prestigious MAN institution in London, and she's set to nudge streetwear in a fresh direction. How many 20-somethings can make that claim?

Shayne Oliver

Age: 25
Brand: Hood By Air

There's no 20-something that's influencing such a wide range of creatives and consumers right now than Shayne Oliver. It's plain to see that the enormous Fashion-with-a-capital-F houses of Europe are paying attention to the NYC sub-culture that Shayne Oliver and co. are leading, while kids in the streets all over the country are begging, saving, and stealing to cop their first HBA piece. To think that he's only 25 is as mind-bending as his incredibly popular NYFW show this past February, and Hood By Air will definitely lead a progressive pack for the rest of Shayne's 20s.

David Obadia and Nelson Hassan

Age: 24; 24
Brand: Brooklyn We Go Hard

We collectively spit out our soda like old slapstick comics when we realized these dudes were 24. They can't even rent a car in the US and they've designed increasingly dope collections that have garnered some serious attention and praise. If BWGH's current trajectory keeps up, then just take the time now to bow down to your future overlords.

Alexander Wang

Age: 29
Brands: Alexander Wang; T by Alexander Wang; Balenciaga

What praises can we sing about Alexander Wang that haven't already been sung? His eponymous brand consistently merks it, and the world waits with baited breath as he's set to unveil his first men's collection with Balenciaga this season. It may be hard to believe, but after Paris Men's Fashion Week later this month, there may actually be more compliments to heap upon the California native.