“There have been a few surreal moments, but seeing Beyoncé wear Auné was definitely a proud one,” Xenab Lone says of the five-year adventure that has been launching and running her London-based label. Other pinch-me highlights include creating custom looks for Barbie Ferreira and Hunter Schafer’s characters in Euphoria (a “surreal” feeling) and dressing a long line of celebrities, including Maya Jama, Kylie Jenner and Paloma Elsesser.
Auné initially started out as a multi-brand e-commerce concept that included vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces, alongside Lone’s own designs, in an effort to champion individuality and conscious consumption. Her focus has since shifted to solely creating original pieces, with every garment made to measure, a decision that’s more than just a design choice. “[It’s] a solution to a personal frustration,” Lone shares. “Being curvier, I could never find clothes that truly fit or empowered me. I wanted to create pieces that honour all body types, while rejecting trend-led pressure.”
As such, the collections offer what many plus-size brands tend to overlook – clothing that moulds to the body, thanks to Auné’s signature mesh decorated with Lone’s designed prints, ensuring the perfect fit. That ‘mix-and-match’ spirit of the brand’s beginnings remains in pieces that contrast structure with sheerness, are sensual but effortless and prioritise personal style over trends.
“I still get just as much joy when someone messages to say they finally feel seen in something that fits them perfectly. [Helping] someone find confidence in their everyday life, those moments remind me why I do this.”
Alongside tackling size inclusivity, sustainability is an equally important facet of the brand. Lone believes designing with care should be the industry standard. As every Auné piece is custom-made, there’s no mass production or excess, with fabric remnants reworked into one-off pieces that are inherently imbued with exclusivity.
“Auné will always stay rooted in made-to-measure and conscious design, but I’m excited to keep evolving,” Lone divulges, thinking ahead to the future. Is there anything left to achieve? “Bella Hadid would be a dream to dress! She embodies a kind of effortless glamour and is unapologetically herself, which aligns so naturally with the spirit of Auné.”
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
