We sat down with Charlotte Hicks, the Founder and Designer of Australian brand ESSE Studios, to discuss and explore the intersection of career, fashion, and sustainability.
What inspired your transition from working with renowned Australian designers to founding ESSE Studios?
It was always the dream, always the end goal. I always had a vision on what I wanted professionally and personally. Not only did I know I wanted to create a brand, build a world and affect change outwardly. I was also passionate about affecting change inward - create a business, build a culture, a team, and mentor. That is something I am equally as passionate about.
How has the inception of ESSE Studios, shaped and influenced your personal style?
Such an interesting question because I think what influences your personal style can be so dependant on external factors - lifestyle, age etc. Small nuances that do really affect your lifestyle. For example building a business generally means long hours and hard work. So hardly conducive to the self expression I once had! I do think most designers feel that way though we are so busy working in the background there is such a functionality to our wardrobe which can differ to our customers. ESSE was also built on a much more ‘considered’ ethos so I do think my personal style has become more ‘considered’ as a result of that too. That sense of novelty and play though is still there and I am looking forward to exploring more of that as the brand evolves too.