In talks with ESSE Studio's Charlotte Hicks

ESSE Studios is a contemporary, ready-to-wear lifestyle brand for the woman who takes a considered approach.Sustainably minded with a focus on consuming consciously, ESSE deliver slow release editions and encourage you to invest not in quantity but in quality.

We spoke to Founder and Director Charlotte Hicks about her recent show at AAFW, where Hair Director was Paloma Salon’s own Paloma Garcia, and her own journey with sustainability.

Charlotte, you recently showed at AAFW. Can you give us some insight into where you look too for inspiration and what the show meant to you?

This runway was about a celebration of ESSE and the brand. It wasn’t just about Resort 23. To really capture the true spirit and the ethos of the brand - this moment isn’t just about the ‘new collection’. It’s about past, present and the future. Pieces from older editions working seamlessly and effortlessly with the current, and the upcoming. There is the quintessential homage to the classics, a fluid line between masculine and feminine - the gentlewoman’s wardrobe. A minimalist restraint, with a refined artfulness. Not without a hint of the upcoming sensual summer.

It was such a special moment for me to debut at AAFW. Decades in the making really! To be able to show at such an iconic venue rich in incredible history was truly incredible. I wanted people to lose themselves in the world of ESSE, take a pause in the pace of life by appreciating the ethos of the brand.

Esse Studios takes not only a considered approach to womenswear, but also consuming consciously. Where did your sustainability journey start?

I was a designer for decades and rather disgruntled by the excess and waste in the industry. Waste on so many fronts. ESSE Studios was born out of that sheer frustration. So many of the values I appreciate and I studied just seemed less and less important. I wanted to encourage and nurture a slower, more sustainable message.

My M.O. was to build a purpose-led brand that focuses on designing ‘considered’ and ‘responsible’ luxury for the modern woman. My ethos is to slow the machine down, design and appreciate every piece that exists in your wardrobe. Invest in timeless pieces that have been considered for you.

I think for so many people sustainability can be a really daunting ‘thing’ and knowing where to start can be overwhelming. How can brands like Esse Studios make an impact and what is the opportunity for brands to show leadership here?

Watch this space, this is exactly what I am really passionate about tackling. It is daunting, there is a lot of miss information and a lot of green washing. I am not saying I have all the answers but I am passionate about sharing my learnings and encouraging my customer to come on a bit more of a journey with me as we understand the complex, multiple faceting topic. More to unfold on this so watch this space!

You shared the exciting new with us recently that Esse Studios has embarked on the particularly involved B-corp certification process. Can you give us a little insight into what it was like?

This has been such a great journey so far. Not only is it really cementing the sustainable foundations of which I can grow the business on, it holds me and the business accountable. I really wanted these strong pillars to stand up against, just to really qualify and quantify the sustainable journey of the brand. The best bit though is the framework it provides to scale the business. Even operationally and day to day runnings of the business the process really helps support more ‘conscious and considered growth and scale.