It's that time of year again. 2016 is drawing to a close, and we're staring down the barrel of a brand new year. We've already looked back on the best of 2016 via this year's installment of the Highsnobiety Crowns awards, so now it's time to look ahead to 2017.

Every year, the crowded intersection of fashion, streetwear and sneakers gets just that little bit more... well, crowded. That doesn't mean that the talent out there is any less dope, though – far from it. It seems like we're discovering more and more amazing brands each year – check out our Under the Radar feature for tons of exciting new names. So, who are we tipping for the come-up in 2017?

Let's gaze into our crystal ball and take a look at some brands that are killing it right now, and are gonna kill it even harder in 2017:

Alyx Studio

The brainchild of former DONDA creative Matthew Williams, Alyx Studio is only a few seasons deep, but it's been taking the womenswear world by storm.

There's been a few brief ventures into menswear — the brand has been spotted on the backs of mega-influencers like A$AP Rocky and Luka Sabbat — but, as of yet, Alyx Studio is mainly a women's label. That hasn't stopped its "Rollercoaster" belt, a bonafide banger of a statement accessory, from flying off the shelves every time it hits retailers. Oh, and the label was also shortlisted for this year's LVMH prize for emerging designers.

There's no dedicated menswear line as of yet, but if the recently-dropped Alyx Studio x fragment design collab is anything to go by, fashion-forward guys will still have a lot to look forward to next year. In the meantime, feast your eyes on the above shots from Alyx Studio's SS17 showroom.

Cottweiler

We've been in love with Cottweiler, aka Matthew Dainty and Ben Cottrell, since their quite frankly jaw-dropping SS16 presentation in London.

Their luxe, avant-garde, conceptual vision of sportswear not only looks great, but it's produced with next-level fabrics that ensure maximum performance in a sweaty rave, brutal rainstorm or just for looking sick when you're flexing from A to B. Cottweiler has found fans in the likes of FKA Twigs and Skepta, who wore one of the brand's all-white tracksuits in his rowdy "Shutdown" video, and it's got an impressive selection of high-profile, discerning retailers under its belt, too.

Oh, and word on the street is that there's some wacky Reebok collab shoes in the pipeline. Sporty Highsnobiety readers with a fondness for obscure cults and crazy fabrics will want to keep an eye on this London brand next year.

424

Los Angeles retailer FourTwoFour on Fairfax is a must-visit for anyone paying the city a visit, and its in-house line, 424, is slowly-but-surely killing it, too.

The brand's collection is built around denim — shredded, overdyed or even splashed with oil — and their pieces often sport politically-charged motifs, too.

Check out 424's gear for next season in the above shoot from the brand's showroom, which was inspired by founder and designer Guillermo Andrade's background in blue-collar workwear.

Y/Project

A wild, fabulous explosion of glitz and glam, Y/Project is the sort of thing Prince would wear (RIP) if he was into Margiela.

The brand mixes deconstructed cuts with eye-popping colors and low-brow humor — their SS17 show had some jeans that hilariously dipped down at the front to expose the wearer's crotch.

It's not one for the faint-hearted, but in-the-know Parisians are tipping Y/Project to be "the next Vetements," so don't say we didn't warn you.

Haider Ackermann

Your boy Haider has been l0w-key killing it for ages now, and his menswear line has been steadily picking up the pace over the past few years.

One of the more niche designers to show on the Paris Fashion Week schedule, Ackermann has developed a cult following thanks to his wacky, far-out statement pieces — metallic leather cowboy boots anyone? Both Kanye and Rocky are fans of his outrageously plush bombers, and the Argentine designer was recently appointed the new creative director of mega-luxe French house Berluti.

His stuff is expensive as hell, sure, but we expect you'll be seeing plenty of his work on the backs of celebrities and filthy-rich types next year.

MISBHV

Polish sensation MISBHV has had a great year, for good reason. Its got its finger on the pulse when it comes to modern tastes and trends, but pulls them together with all the subcultural nous you want from an underground label.

The brand's SS17 collection was inspired by ’00s eastern european rave culture, adding a whole new dimension to the Post-Soviet buzz that's all over the streetwear scene these days.

MISBHV has won over Rihanna big time — she's been spotted in the brand's pieces on multiple occasions — and we're looking forward to seeing what else this exciting Polish label has got up its sleeve next year.

Before you forget about 2016 entirely, head here to vote for the best sneaker of the year.