Dearest you.
Welcome to another edition of I’m Offline With, produced by Studio Offline and in partnership with a conscious founder or business whose experience or story will help us on our way.
This episode is produced in partnership with David Jones, and features one of Australia’s most exciting emerging fashion leaders, Charlotte Hicks.
Charlotte and I recorded this episode live in the front window of David Jones’ Bourke Street store, a week after Charlotte’s brand, Esse Studios, won the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival National Designer Award. The Award is presented by David Jones.
Beautifully, Charlotte is a long time Offline listener and actually came to Alison’s very first event in Sydney. It’s now my honour to share the pioneering work Charlotte’s doing, with you.
Esse Studios exists in part as an example of what a socially and environmentally aware fashion brand should look like today. Released bi-annually, Esse is seasonless and doesn’t adhere to trends. Instead, Charlotte designs thoughtful Editions. Each Edition builds on the one before it to create a high performing wardrobe for today’s modern woman. For us.
In this honest conversation, Charlotte shares the way she thinks about fashion and design. This includes her values-based approach to building a brand, what sustainability and transparency look like in practice, and how she’s thinking about growth for a business that has self-imposed limits.
She’s honest and generous with her advice, so we hope it helps aspiring designers or even established brands think more deeply about being the change.
Thank you for being here.
Alison xo