The heartbeat of fashion is change — and these are the people making it happen

As the style industry tumbles out of Fashion Month and back to home-court day jobs, I remain super-inspired by a season that wowed us with thoughtful innovation and creative alternatives. It is enthralling to see that the micro-revolutions in everything from show schedules to show intention managed to grab headlines along with the requisite news about trends and designer direction.

The heartbeat of fashion is change. And it's beating at optimal condition. Just witness the see-now-buy-now experimentation, the unprecedented amplification of social media or the many tech-inspired and -infused collections. Even the ongoing debate around blogs and street style speaks to a renewable energy fueling fashion's working it out.

Every year, every season, we look to the disruptors—new names in established spaces and new perspectives on what's tried and true. Broaden our thinking, shift our gaze and challenge what's no longer working. It's when the magic can happen.

The LinkedIn Next Wave honorees understand this. I look to Michael Preysman, founder and CEO of Everlane. Eschewing the status quo, he is devoted to complete transparency when it comes to creating the most authentic relationship with his consumer, down to sharing the true cost of each now highly-coveted garment. 

But he's just one magician on this list: I encourage you to enjoy some time really checking out each one of these notables. There's no more trite fashion idea than "twist on a classic". And that's because it's often not the case. There's usually no twist. These few, however, have managed to defy convention and bring novelty to our industry in ways that are guaranteed to delight and spark.

See more of LinkedIn's Next Wave 2016 list.