For Ben and Kelly Lanbury, whose style journey began on estates in Brighton and London – the UK’s capital, Europe’s third-biggest metropolis, is a dynamic city where high-end labels and gritty street style constantly impact each other in a symbiotic way. In their book, From Estate to Sloane Street, the duo moves the spotlight away from the luxury flagships of Soho to focus on the authentic, high-impact fashion that comes directly from London’s streets, skateparks and housing estates.
“When we grew up, looking good was about being resourceful, not rich. It was about wearing the clothes, not letting the clothes wear you,” explains Ben Lanbury. This philosophy is the epitome to their guide, which focuses on the creativity found in communities where affordable, durable, and distinctive clothing is the the only way to go. The looks that start on the estates, heavy on tracksuits, hoodies, sweats, functional outerwear, and coveted, comfortable footwear, are instantly recognisable and often trickle up to the high-fashion brands and the latter’s celebrity buyers. This effortless, confident style, achieved through skatewear styles, smart second-hand finds and high-street basics, is the true engine of London’s streetwear scene.
Ben and Kelly Lanbury’s best estate wear – Top 5 UK Streetwear Brands
While many global labels have their HQ in London, the Lanburys highlight a mix of homegrown heroes and influential global players that define the authentic street style of the city, focusing on the ones that resonate most strongly from the estates to the city centre.
Here are five of the best streetwear brands defining the UK scene,
Ben and Kelly Lanbury Estate wear:
- Palace: The quintessential London skate brand formed by the founders who were originally selling multiple brands from Slam City Skates and thought “we could do this”. Its signature Tri-Ferg logo is based on the estate that they lived on. 1990s rave aesthetic, and humorous, distinctly British descriptions on all the individual products are instantly recognisable and convey the whole culture at Palace. Speaking to GQ, co-founder Skewis spoke about how they came to the name: “Palace had a really amazing ring to it,” Skewis says. “Plus, there’s the juxtaposition of the house basically being squat and the word Palace. And then, also just the word, the way Palace looks, it’s a balanced word, and it has interesting connotations to it.” Rihanna, Jonah Hill, and Jay-Z have all been papped in Palace gear. There are Palace stores in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. Palace has made sneakers with Reebok, Adidas, and Vans—a rare footwear trifecta. The list of collaborators also includes Stella Artois, The North Face, and the Happy Mondays. What’s become apparent is the simple fact that plenty of brands—even big, multinational mega-brands—need Palace more than Palace needs them.
- Stüssy: The original global streetwear leader, Stüssy has maintained its relevance in London by focusing on high-quality, wearable wardrobe staples. It’s the brand that is often ‘better basics,’ making it a reliable, authentic choice that transcends quick trends.
- Corteiz: An undeniable force in contemporary London streetwear. Founded by Clint, the brand built its massive cult following with a guerrilla marketing approach and highly exclusive, community-led drops, giving it a raw, ‘for-the-people’ authenticity that resonates deeply within London’s estates.
- Trapstar: A London based streetwear and fashion brand that rose from the estates and underground, championed by UK grime and hip-hop culture in the early 2010s. With combo-tracksuits that sell for around £150, Trapstar is known for its bold graphics, logo-heavy gear, and military-inspired designs. Trapstar epitomizes the “roadman” aesthetic that originated in local communities and has since gone global.
- A-COLD-WALL*: Founded by Samuel Ross, this brand represents the fusion of London’s street narratives with high fashion. It’s known for its utilitarian designs, architectural silhouettes, and use of technical fabrics, appealing to those who want a more conceptual, industrial take on the streetwear uniform.
The new book by husband-and-wife duo Ben and Kelly Lanbury, From Estate to Sloane Street, The Guide to Accessible Streetwear can be found on Amazon, is a style guide and a compelling journey into the heart of global youth culture. The authors, who climbed from their roots on estates in Brighton and London to become sought-after stylists and fashion editors, are challenging the conventional wisdom of high fashion.
