Seven names to know this autumn

Taken from the autumn 25 print issue of THE FACE. Get your copy here.

Regular FACE readers will know that every issue, we bring you a coterie of our favourite rising stars in any field we find interesting – all of whom, so far, have gone onto bigger and better things (not that it gets much bigger or better than the opening pages of THE FACE, but you take our point). The freshest in style, in writing, in fashion, in music. Sometimes, as is the case in this issue, the freshest in ice cream (ice cream being the coolest medium in which to work, ho ho) – and that includes the photographer, Zacharie Lewertof, who shot these images the day before his graduation. What we’re trying to say is that these lot will have a hand in shaping, moulding, subverting and carrying the torch for culture in some way. You see, there’s an astonishing amount of talent out there, and here’s just a tiny bit of it: from THE FACE, to your hands, with a Flake on top. This is the future of, well, everything. Exciting, isn’t it?

Ch’lita Collins’s origin story began with a family computer and a glitchy printer. ​“I would print out all the i‑D magazine covers with our streaky printer and plaster them all over my room,” says the stylist from Wellington, New Zealand. A Fashion Design degree at the University of Auckland came next, then a move halfway across the world to London, where she began working as an assistant. That was until she got the styling job of dreams last year. ​“I was lying in bed with bad hangxiety and I get this message: ​‘Can you style Alexa Chung? Just dress her like you.’” Since then, she’s gone on to style The Dare for two magazine covers, The Hellp for a third and put Thomas Brodie-Sangster in a baker boy hat for a fourth (the latter two for Arena Homme+). Next on her list? ​“2hollis. I feel like I could slay that.” Undoubtedly.

@chlita

[1] @emilysfamous
​“Obsessed with this girl who solo travels around the Middle East.”

[2] @imblizzymcguire
​“A group chat classic with the best memes from Twitter.”

[3] @wolkmindvirus2
​“I think [the actress and comic] Ivy Wolk is so brilliant. So effortlessly funny and shocking, her account keeps getting deleted.”

[4] @aimeefrance
​“She makes me feel calm and happy, my comfort poster.”

[5] @birkingainsbourgmusique
​“I just looked through my saved folder and every post is from this account. I love love!”

Seventeen-year-old Sik Frydas has already had a pretty flying start as a culture journalist. Writing their first piece at 14 – an interview with Fantastic Toiles founder Nasir Mazhar – the North Londoner’s gone on to speak to grime artist C4 for Trench, interviewed actor Brian Tyree Henry for THE FACE’s summer ​’25 print issue (oh, yes) and has even founded 0scill8, a digital mag focused on British youth culture. By their own admission, English is their worst subject at school, “[but] I always liked looking at art, music and clothes. I just wasn’t very good at making them, so I’d rather report on the people who are actually more talented than me.” Now Sik’s gearing up for their last year of school and final A‑level exams: ​“I’m going to try and get A*, A*, A.” Whatever happens, we have a feeling Sik’s going to be just fine.

@020sik

[1] @ptrckjsr
​“Patrick Sear’s work is filled with a care and respect missing from most other photographers’ work. Whether he’s working with musicians, shooting concerts or capturing protests, his focus remains on informing the viewer, rather than just entertaining.”

[2] @christina.adane
​“Christina was an easy choice; any time I get a notification from her Substack or she comes up on my For You page, I immediately lock in and listen. While I don’t agree with all her takes, she’s one of the few writers who understands that culture doesn’t thrive without discourse, and isn’t afraid to start it or get involved.”

[3] @jawnino
​“Jawnino is one of my favourite musicians and I find it shocking that he’s not far more famous than he is. His debut album, 40, which came out last year, was a relatable, albeit bleak, record of the ​“broken Britain” of the 2020s, sonically sitting on the edge of reality.”

[4] @ellen_poppy
​“Ellen has been one of my favourite designers for a couple of years now. I first came across her hats on Instagram – still a grail of mine – and her work has remained a constant inspiration and reminder to me of the person I hope to grow into.”

[5] @amyyleungg
​“Amy is an artist exploring heritage, age and community through illustration, installation and print. Although somewhat traditional in medium, she instils her work with a youthful playfulness rare in most artists these days, while still grounding it in her distinct selfhood and life experience.”

“I write from a distance because I process my emotions when I’ve finished experiencing things. Longing is a big thing [in my songs].” So says 22-year-old singer Natanya Popoola. After learning to play the piano from the age of four and picking up music production at school aged 14, the North Londoner began releasing music while at University College London, where she studied English by day and self-produced ​’90s-tinged R&B by night. After graduation, Natanya released a slick second EP called Feline’s Return, went on tour with Flo and made an appearance on PinkPantheress’ Victory Lap cypher in June, alongside iKeda and Jawnino. Though the artist has typically sung about the pressures of the music industry and unrequited crushes, there’s still one source of inspiration that eludes her: ​“I would love to be in love for the first time and have an adult boyfriend.”

@n4t4nya

[1] Wake Up Alone by Amy Winehouse (demo version)
​“Validating the anxious lover in me that can’t sit still until she gets a text back, plus the best dreamy textures.”

[2] Our Day Will Come by Amy Winehouse
​“That song for when you feel so close but so far from your dream, telling you it’ll all be alright eventually. I listened to it a lot in my bathroom as a teenager when I wasn’t doing too great.”

[3] Happy (Love Theme From Lady Sings the Blues) by Michael Jackson
​“The innocence in the melody makes me feel like a kid hugging my teddy bear again.”

[4] Amy Winehouse’s cover of Lately by Stevie Wonder
​“This is my favourite Stevie song. Amy’s guitar in the empty room and the haunting croon just gets me every time.”

[5] Aretha Franklin’s cover of Wholy Holy by Marvin Gaye
​“Her return to the church after a long time bumbling through the industry. There’s a homecoming aspect of the whole album and the accompanying visuals have this beautiful shade of blue that feels so warm. Then the swells of the choir always get me going. It feels like coming home. It feels like a hug. Big break-up song for me.”

It wasn’t the catwalk (or her photographer uncle) that got model and designer Sofia Testino into fashion, but rather the streets of New York, Barcelona and London where she grew up. ​“I was always obsessed with what people were wearing,” the 23-year-old says, ​“like random old men, women, or just anyone that has a distinctive fashion sense.” Moving to London aged 13, Sofia’s been based in the capital ever since, recently graduating from Central Saint Martins with a BA in Fashion Print. For her final project, she collected old diaries off eBay and became absorbed in strangers’ inner lives, crafting a final collection inspired by entries, including those from an incarcerated mother-of-two and a Louisiana farmer writing in 1935. All of which begs the question: what would an outfit based on Sofia’s diary look like? ​“Schizophrenic! I dress like a different character every day.”

@sofiatestino

[1] Imparfaite
​“They have great French designer vintage.”

[2] The Saleroom
​“Amazing for antique clothes job lots.”

[3] Mercari Japan
​“Incredible for designer vintage at super low prices. The only catch is you either need a friend in Japan to ship it to, or [you can] pick it up if you visit.”

[4] eBay
​“I know it’s a bit basic but, honestly, it’s my go-to. Once you find a few good sellers, it becomes a lot easier, though it’s still very time-consuming: prepare for some doom-scrolling.”

[5] Japan Yahoo Auctions
​“Also great for designer pieces at more reasonable prices, but again, the shipping is the tricky part.”

Calvin Holmes is not your typical ice cream man. For one thing, no van. And he spent the last 10 years as a menswear buyer for sites like Matches and SSense. The job took the Leeds native around the world, but in his spare time, Calvin would go hunting for the best cones in the fashion capitals and beyond. Then, when he was made redundant last year, the 33-year-old decided he wanted a taste of something new: ​“An ice-cream brand that blends American flavours with Italian methods.” Born in a test kitchen in his London flat, Charms is now a fashion industry favourite, providing scoops at Celine’s spring collection unveiling (“olive oil stracciatella”) and a perfume launch with Chopova Lowena (“strawberry, rose and pink pepper- corn”). Holmes also runs a weekly pop-up at Hackney vintage shop, Twos. His bestest flavour? ​“Milk tea with cinnamon crunch.”

@charms.charms.charms

1] Gelupo, London
​“Some of the best gelato in London. Always a fun menu – it never misses! Its mint choc chip is especially good.”

[2] Cafe Cecilia, London
​“Its Guinness-bread ice cream is maybe my favourite ice cream of all time.”

[3] Bakdash, Damascus
​“Established in 1895. I’ve never been, but it’s on my bucket list. It’s famous for making booza, a Middle Eastern ice cream made with [the resin] mastic and salep [orchid flour], giving it a stretchy and chewy texture. It’s then topped with pistachio. Looks and sounds incredible.”

[4] Vivoli, Florence
​“Famous for its affogato, which draws long queues via TikTok. It’s worth queuing for, though. Also highly recommended is the rice gelato.”

[5] Gelato Messina, Sydney“
​“I’m not ashamed to admit that I visit its IG from time to time for inspiration. Maximalist gelato at its best.”

It was Lady Gaga’s McQueen Armadillo heels that proved to be Ayham Hassan’s fashion awakening. Growing up in Ramallah in the West Bank, he first saw the ankle-breakers aged 12, and it sent him into a rabbit hole of McQueen collections. ​“Even though I was in a small city with a lot of troubles,” the 26-year-old says, ​“I related to how you can discuss really severe topics in an exciting way [through clothes].” Ayham enrolled in a design course at Palestine’s Birzeit University before earning himself a place on Central Saint Martins’ Fashion BA. Recently debuting his final collection, a ruffled and draped bouquet of patterned fabrics, the designer wrote ​“Divest Now” on the outstretched palms of his models to protest against the show’s sponsorship by L’Oréal. The result? A collection signifying ​“resilience, resistance, rebellion and punk”.

@ayham_hassan_99

[1] John Galliano SS93
​“This collection played a pivotal role in shaping my design identity. I am particularly captivated by the intensity of the bias-cut silk chiffon, which creates dynamic movements that breathe life into the garments.”

[2] Dior by John Galliano Couture AW97
​“One of my absolute favourite timeless interpretations of the Dior New Look. I am particularly enamoured with the first grey coat, which stands out for its elegant design and craftsmanship.”

[3] Dior by John Galliano Couture SS07
​“I selected this collection because it serves as a remarkable introduction to the profound cultural influences that shape fashion. The designs evoke the elegance and sophistication of the perfect geisha, celebrating both femininity and strength.”

[4] John Galliano AW09 & AW10
​“I found it incredibly challenging to choose just one of these collections, since both stand out. What truly strikes me is the masterful use of cuts and embellishments.”

[5] Maison Margiela Couture AW18
​“A remarkable testament to Galliano’s mastery of cutting and layering techniques. This collection uniquely blends elements of gypsy and techno aesthetics with an apocalyptic chaos, all wrapped up in a distinctly Antwerpian flair.”

If there’s one album that raised Ledbyher, it’s Britney’s 2008 record Circus. ​“My mum’s a real diva!” the rapper, born Rachel Aisyah Diack, says. ​“She would take us to see Spice Girls, Rihanna, Britney Spears…” Though all that’s a far cry from the hazy, drill-tinged productions the 21-year-old from Norfolk makes, she credits her mum with giving her and her sister, Anjeli, their love for music. Getting her start at 14, Rachel produced R&B beats for Anjeli before moving into rap herself and relocating to London at 19 to pursue a career in the music industry. Since then, she’s made it onto many ones-to-watch lists, collaborated with rising Irish rap star Travy and filmed a music video in Miami with rapper Sainté. ​“I’ve been waiting for this my whole life,” she says, with obvious pride, ​“and now it’s finally happening.”

@babyrachyyy

[1] Toy Story 2
​“Classic. I used to watch it after school, face-deep in a bowl of ice cream – chocolate chip, specifically. Good times.”

[2] Thelma & Louise
​“Me and my best friend Christina watched this together. We have a pact that one of us will buy the 1966 Ford Thunderbird so we can have a very dramatic road trip.”

[3] River of Grass
​“I love Kelly Reichardt’s films. If I made films, I’d want to see the world like she frames it. No stars or loud plot, just life onscreen. Strangely reminds me of my hometown in the sticks.”

[4] American Honey
​“Probably my favourite soundtrack and cast. I get why people find the film [directed by Andrea Arnold] uncomfortable, because teenagers scraping by lack glamour. But my sister sat me down and made me watch it and I said ​‘thank you’ after.”

[5] Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
​“My favourite! I’m a big Harry Potter fan. I’ve just been to the studios in Watford and nerded out for the day, it was 10/​10. I rewatch this film [directed by Mike Newell] like I don’t know Cedric’s fate, but there’s always a new thing that I find each time which makes it special.”

PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT Yeochan Yoon