Meet Alicia
The name Esse, is derived from medieval Latin, which means 'existence' or 'to be'. It is a word that invites us to look inwards, to be aware and discerning.
How my journey started
Tired of having a wardrobe brimming with clothes, but having a sense of nothing to wear and throwing out clothes that fall apart after a few washes, I quit my job and set out to pursue my love in fashion and create quality classics that make women feel beautiful in them. After delving deeper into the fashion supply chain, I uncovered 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. Uncovering these truths propelled me to embark on a journey to create a fashion label that’s better for the planet.
Growing up in Singapore, I learnt dress-making for a number of years and I'm passionate about working with makers in Asia to keep the tradition of garment-making alive. Now a mum of one, I call New Zealand home, and I combine passion with an appreciation of Aotearoa’s great outdoors; inspiring the brand’s design sensibility.
Women deserve clothes that meet them where they are, without asking them to compromise.
In my seventh year of running the business, I became a mother and that shifted my identity. Not only was my body evolving, but the way I approached dressing up and curating my wardrobe changed.
Through my own experience and from all the feedback we get over the years, I realised that most clothes force women to choose between looking good and feeling comfortable, and wardrobes aren’t built for the real-life transitions women go through.
Fashion rarely adapts to real-life shifts like nursing, travel, or changing bodies.
This has made me even more determine to create a brand that isn’t just a label, but a quiet confidence-builder.
It’s proof that sustainability, comfort, and elegance can live in the same garment.
I hope your Esse garments will be the support system in your wardrobe — no matter the season you’re in.
