Charlotte Hicks, Founder & Director of Esse Studios
Welcome to our Inspiring Women in Australian Fashion and Art Series, and our conversation with the beautifully talented Charlotte Hicks, Founder and Director of Esse Studios,
Charlotte Hicks has over 10 years of experience in designing for leading global fashion brands. Charlotte knew she wanted to create a brand that was unique, that didn’t follow the traditional model - a brand that was ‘built for longevity’. Gaining as much experience and knowledge under incredible mentors was her focus in those earlier years. Along with finding the opportunities in the global landscape and being aware of the problems a fashion business can face.
ESSE was born out of frustration for the sheer excess and waste that is evident in the fashion industry. there were poignant observations that became the foundations ESSE was built on. More specifically the abundance of excess, the wastefulness, the speed and the overall loss of value a customer places on each of their purchases.
ESSE became a fusion of old and new. A modern and innovative approach to business, underpinned with timeless values of integrity and quality.
Charlotte wanted to encourage and nurture a slower more mindful approach to consumption was the focus.
A return to the ESSEnce of dressing, the craft and quality.
“The only way to truly create a heritage brand that lasts in this climate, is to ‘rethink’ and challenge conventions at every level of the business - from design, through to supply chain and distribution”
- Charlotte
Who is the ESSE woman and what inspires your creative work?
I am always inspired by my woman, her needs her wants. For me it is about the subtle, simple pleasures - a quiet moment to escape but without compromise. I love thinking about how the pieces make her feel. I love playing with that beautiful synergy between indulgence and performance. I want the pieces in each release to be about a modern, ease and comfort, pieces that are reliable everyday and always. There is always a subtle artful sensibility, but pair that back with a modern ease.
Describe yourself and your designs to us?
Artful, minimal and modern. I trie to capture a certain sense of humility, integrity and authenticity in everything I do.
How did it all begin for your brand?
Probably about 15 years ago when I first started studying design at university, I knew this is where I would end up one day!!
What is a stand out moment in shaping ESSE?
I was travelling overseas actually doing some interviews to design for some houses in Europe. I just had a moment that I didn’t want to give any more blood sweat and tears to someone else’s baby! It was time to do it for myself.
What designs or creative work has you excited right now?
I am always designing, every day in the back of my mind. That give me my daily buzz!
What excites you about the possible changes ahead?
I think this year especially is going to be so exciting in general, to see all the innovation that explodes out of COVID-19 times.
What do you love to do most to recharge or relax?
Ohhh my recharge time is so so sacred. We are very fortunate to have a house outside of Sydney up on the central coast, the moment I get here out of Sydney, surrounded by the trees and the ocean a calming ‘wave' washes over me!
What advice do you have for emerging designers now?
Dream big and go for it, follow your instincts at all cost. Make sure you have some experience so you know what to do and what not to do! You're going to make mistakes, you need to experiment but you need to be as efficient as you can with cashflow so do whatever you can to try to conserve! Ha!
DISCOVER ESSE STUDIOS ONLINE AT SHOWROOM-X