Fashion has no shortage of talented new designers. But Ryan Lobo and Ramon Martin, the duo behind new NYC-based label TOME, are no rookies to the game. Lobo is an in-demand stylist (and street-style star in Australia), and he developed the online cultural zine Pages Digital; Martin was most recently the design director for Derek Lam. They became friends 15 years ago while studying fashion at the University of Technology Sydney, and since then, starting their own line together was all but inevitable.

“There is nothing missing in the market, everything is out there,” Martin told Style.com. “Our customer is looking for what she needs, and wants to be inspired at the same time.” To fit those needs, there is a utilitarian, wear-every-day element to TOME, with basics like button-ups, tank dresses, and color-block trousers. But the fabrics used—crisp Japanese cottons, Italian denim, and cashmere jersey—add richness to the look. From their debut Spring collection, a pair of A-line shorts cut from stiff taffeta,Wholesale Coach jewelry, paired with a raglan T-shirt, caught our attention.

Like their lookbook model-on-the-rise Ruby Jean Wilson, who “has a combination of delicate femininity, fierce self-assurance, and wry humor,” according to Martin, TOME is one to watch.

For more info, visit TOMEnyc.com or email info@tomenyc.com. —Brittany Adams

Photo: Courtesy of TOME