Brands Like By Malina: 5 Labels for Polished Occasion Dressing

The closest brands to By Malina on Coveti are ROTATE Birger Christensen, Stine Goya, Self-Portrait, Zimmermann and Ganni. Each makes polished occasion dresses at a contemporary designer price, but they differ in what they lead with: ROTATE with shine, Stine Goya with print, Self-Portrait with lace, Zimmermann with romance and Ganni with everyday ease.

By Malina, founded in Stockholm in 2010 by Malin Ek Andrén, leads with cut. Its signatures are satin dresses with a defined waist, a high neck and a draped back, sculpted tops, fitted blazers and a bridal line. If that is what you like about the label, this guide tells you which of the five alternatives will feel most familiar, and which will push you somewhere new.

What makes By Malina distinctive

Before comparing, it helps to name what you are comparing against. Three things define By Malina.

• Satin as the base fabric. Dresses such as the Zindy Fitted Pouf Sleeve Midi Dress in Black, from $840, and the Leah Maxi Dress in Champagne, from $870, use a smooth satin with a clean surface.
• One detail per piece. A detachable scarf on the Ingrid Midi Dress in Moss Green, a detachable cape on the Cassia Maxi Dress in Dark Brown. The rest of the dress stays quiet.
• Occasion first. The label began with pieces for weddings and parties, and it still has a full bridal collection.

For the full background, read Who is By Malina?

1. ROTATE Birger Christensen

ROTATE Birger Christensen was founded in Copenhagen in 2018 by Jeanette Madsen and Thora Valdimars, who remain its creative directors. It is occasion dressing first, built on the party dress: beaded columns, sequinned slips and flower appliqué minis.

Closest to By Malina in: the focus on occasion, the close waist and the clean shoulder.

Different in: ROTATE chooses fabric to catch light, with sequins and beading. By Malina chooses satin to drape. If you want more sparkle for a party, choose ROTATE. If you want a dress you can wear to a wedding, a dinner and the office, By Malina is the steadier buy.

For more labels in this space, see brands like ROTATE.

2. Stine Goya

Stine Goya is a Copenhagen label that has built its name since 2006 on hand-drawn prints, jacquard artworks and a confident use of colour. Much of its ready-to-wear is cut with a relaxed line and sold in letter sizes.

Closest to By Malina in: Scandinavian origin and fluid viscose dresses that move from day to dinner.

Different in: Stine Goya leads with print and colour. By Malina works in solids and a few house prints such as Savannah and Shaded Dot, and the shape carries the look. If you have a By Malina satin midi and want a printed dress next, Stine Goya is the natural move.

3. Self-Portrait

Self-Portrait is a London label founded by Han Chong in 2013. Its signature is guipure lace, alongside modern cut-outs, pleated chiffon and structured shoulders.

Closest to By Malina in: structured shoulders, defined waists and a price that sits below the major luxury houses. A Self-Portrait lace dress and the By Malina Ninni Mini Dress in Black, with its sculpted hourglass shape and structured shoulders, would sit on the same rail.

Different in: Self-Portrait uses more surface decoration, especially lace. By Malina uses lace mostly as a trim, on a hem and a cuff, outside the bridal line.

4. Zimmermann

Zimmermann is an Australian label known for romantic dresses in linen, silk and lace, from minis to gowns, alongside blouses, trousers and swim. Its prints are instantly recognisable.

Closest to By Malina in: wedding guest dressing, maxi lengths and a strong resort offer. By Malina’s Pre-Fall 2026 collection, with kaftans, linen pieces and swimwear, overlaps directly with Zimmermann’s holiday edit.

Different in: Zimmermann leans on print, embroidery and volume. By Malina is cleaner and more fitted. We compare the two in detail in our By Malina vs Zimmermann guide.

5. Ganni

Ganni is a Copenhagen label that Ditte Reffstrup has led creatively since 2009. It is known for leopard and floral prints, smock and babydoll dresses, seersucker and relaxed denim, and it is a certified B Corporation.

Closest to By Malina in: Scandinavian origin and a contemporary price point.

Different in: Ganni is everyday first and occasion second, with a playful, casual mood. By Malina is the reverse. If you like By Malina but want pieces for the days between events, Ganni fills that gap. See brands like Ganni for more.

Side by side

Sizing across the six labels

By Malina, ROTATE and Ganni all use European numeric sizing, which Coveti converts to UK sizes on each product page. By Malina describes most pieces as true to size, with a few satin styles that run small; see the By Malina size guide. Stine Goya sells much of its ready-to-wear in letter sizes with a relaxed cut. Always check the fit note on the product page before you order, because the same UK size can sit differently from one label to the next.

How to choose

Start with the event. For black tie, compare a By Malina satin maxi with a ROTATE embellished gown. For a daytime wedding, compare By Malina’s chiffon and cotton blend midis with Zimmermann and Stine Goya. For a cocktail party, By Malina and Self-Portrait are the closest match.

Then think about how often you will wear it. By Malina’s solid satin pieces repeat well, because people remember a print more than a cut. If you want a dress you will wear five times, a solid By Malina satin is the safer choice. If you want one unforgettable night, a ROTATE sequin dress does that better.

Editor’s note: I would pair the labels rather than choose between them. A By Malina blazer such as the Carol Wool Blazer in Black goes over a Stine Goya print and over a Ganni dress equally well.

For the regional picture, read Scandinavian occasion wear, and browse the full label on the By Malina brand page.

Frequently asked questions

What brands are similar to By Malina?

On Coveti, the closest labels are ROTATE Birger Christensen, Stine Goya, Self-Portrait, Zimmermann and Ganni. All make occasion pieces at a contemporary designer price.

Is By Malina similar to ROTATE?

Both are Scandinavian occasion labels with a close waist and a clean shoulder. ROTATE leans on sequins and beading, while By Malina leans on satin and cut.

Which brand is most like By Malina for wedding guest dresses?

Self-Portrait and Zimmermann are the closest for wedding guest dressing. Self-Portrait matches the structured cut, and Zimmermann matches the maxi lengths and resort pieces.

Is By Malina Danish?

No. By Malina is Swedish. It was founded in Stockholm in 2010 by Malin Ek Andrén. ROTATE, Stine Goya and Ganni are the Danish labels in this list.