“I’m the founder and creative director of Esse, a conscious womenswear brand that has been paving the way for slow and sustainable fashion since 2017. It was born out of a desire to redefine the way we approach fashion, inspiring women to consider our garment’s purpose and lifecycle.
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Esse merges timeless designs with a traceable supply chain that champions environmental and social responsibility, striving to create positive change in the fashion industry.
After diving into the fashion supply chain and uncovering a system that trains us to adopt a ‘disposable’ mindset and an industry that turns a blind eye to the high environmental and social cost of its production, I was propelled to embark on a journey to create a fashion label that’s better for the planet.
As one of the first few fashion brands in Singapore to be certified B Corp, we’re joining the ranks of global leaders in sustainability like Patagonia, Aesop, and The Body Shop that meets high standards of social and environmental impact. The journey started seven years ago, and has always been a goal we were striving to achieve. Some of the transformative initiatives that we spearheaded include:
- Transitioning 60% of Esse’s product range to a Made-to-Order model to reduce overproduction and textile waste.
- Prioritizing the use of sustainable fabric by ensuring 100% of the product range is made from natural fibers and materials used for garments require fewer toxic chemicals to produce compared to market alternatives.
- Implementing a Supplier Workplace Code of Conduct, to ensure all partners have safe working conditions, workers are treated with respect and dignity, and manufacturing processes are environmentally responsible.
- Publishing an annual report outlining Esse’s progress and future objectives across all environmental and social responsibility aspects of the brand, reflecting our commitment to transparency and accountability.
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We are committed to continuous improvement and are constantly working on initiatives to address current challenges and improve our impact. Our future goals in key areas include sourcing more sustainable trims to achieve full-garment sustainability, promoting diversity and inclusiveness by amplifying diverse voices, and expanding our repair program to prolong a garment’s lifecycle.”
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