Meet Esse's Founder and Designer Charlotte Hicks who talks us through the birth of the brand, insight into the Esse woman and the inspiration behind the latest collection.
Walk us through your journey in starting Esse? Where did it all begin?
I have been a designer for over ten years across other brands and knew that the end goal was to start my own. Though I knew I wanted to approach it differently and build a more purpose-led brand, one that was based on values I was passionate about. I wanted the brand to do more and be more than just about ‘clothes’. I wanted to encourage my woman to adopt a slower, more considered approach to her style. Encourage conscious consumption, and really just try to make women’s lives easier by designing curated capsules that worked for her. ESSE really was born from blending things I loved about what I do and departing from the things that just don't serve us, personally and as a collective. A focus on quality, craftsmanship, innovation in design and fabrication along with a more considered approach to design.
Who is the Esse woman?
I’ve always said she’s real and authentic. For me, she appreciates heritage and classicism but is modern. There is a simplicity and minimalism that she subscribes to, not only in her clothes, but in her style. She subscribes to a certain minimalism because she has a sense of humility and a sense of awareness about her. I think minimalism to her is about enjoying simple pleasures, appreciating detail, and valuing a level of quality. She appreciates luxury because of what is means, an appreciation for a craft and a certain artisanal integrity. However, she still has the awareness and humility to know that indulging shouldn’t come at a cost, and it should be without compromising the world around her.
