ON ADOPTING CHALLENGES AND REFASHIONING IMPACT

Those who know Alicia through her label, Esse, would know that she champions sustainability and pushes for greater ethical fashion production. As you read her story, you can likely tell how her passion for conscious fashion comes from a place of empathy. Even the name of her label means ‘existence’ or ‘to be’ and according to Alicia, this “invites us to look inwards, to be aware and discerning” - and that is exactly what she embodies and practises. Alicia shares her reflection on her journey with us and how her ‘why’ is her true compass.

MY STORY IS … 

I grew up in Singapore and had a very conventional childhood and upbringing. As a child, I used to find a lot of joy in creating and making things. I think this was heavily influenced by my parents who are very hands-on and creative. My mum and I would embark on many art and craft projects – making dolls, baking cookies and doing cross-stitching, while I would help my dad out in the yard. He was very handy and would craft things out of whatever he could find, like weaving (very boho-looking) plant hangers from the excess string.

Going through Singapore’s education system, I grew up the same way as everyone else but always wanted to go against the grain and do something creative. Time and time again, I was always told by the people around me to take the ‘safe route’ – get a business degree, find a stable 9-5 job, and I found myself working in various industries: stock-broking, tech and fashion before finding my calling – starting my label, Esse.

Although Esse’s story began in 2017, my experience with fashion and sustainability started many years before. In my university days, I took classes from a local tailor after school and discovered a passion for understanding how a garment is made.

Subsequently, I found myself working in the luxury fashion industry for several years after I graduated from university. Working in the fashion industry opened my eyes to how ‘broken’ our current fashion system is – with the cyclical and trend-led nature of fashion leading to companies being stuck in a cycle of constantly over-producing; wasting our planet’s precious resources.

This was a moment of epiphany and I started searching for sustainable fashion options in Asia and 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 its production's high environmental and social cost. Uncovering these truths that cannot be unlearned propelled me to embark on a journey to create a fashion label that’s better for the planet.

The label has been running for three years now, and it’s pretty much a one-woman show. I’ve learnt so much. No one day is the same, and I feel really privileged to be doing something that I love every single day.

One of the greatest takeaways from this ongoing journey is to find your ‘why’. I was introduced to the concept of ‘Ikigai’ a few years before starting Esse. ‘Ikigai’ is translated to mean ‘reason for being’. It really got me thinking about my purpose for being on this planet and how I can make my life worthwhile. I kept going back to my journey in fashion and my passion in life, and it all started to come together when I started reflecting on my ‘why’ and how I can go about pursuing the things that give me fulfilment. Finding my ‘why’ – setting out to redefine the fashion industry, creating a brand that positively impacts people and the planet – has served as my point of reference for all my actions and decisions. Most importantly, it’s helped me to understand myself better and be more present.

Ikigai was a way for you to find your purpose and finding your 'why'. For those still discovering their purpose, what is your one piece of advice to them?

Be honest with yourself. In the process of finding your purpose, you often need to ask yourself difficult, fundamental questions like what you’re passionate about, what you’re good at, what you can be paid for and what the world needs. Your Ikigai can be found at the intersection of all these answers. It is important to be honest with yourself when searching for these answers.

Also, the process of finding your true purpose is an ongoing journey. Your Ikigai is your compass, bringing you closer to your purpose, but you might find that your Ikigai will change and evolve as you grow.

Can you tell us one thing that is true about you today that wish you had told your younger self?

I think that one thing I would have told my younger self is that I am enough. There are days where I still struggle with self-acceptance, but I definitely feel like I’ve come into my own and am more at peace with myself over these past few years. It’s easy to be swept into the whole notion of comparing oneself to others, and I think this has been exacerbated by social media and the way we consume content on these platforms.

There was a lot of dissatisfaction with where I was at in my life and with myself. Only by breaking out of that mindset, was I able to be more present, have more gratitude and devote my energy and time to finding meaning and purpose in what I do.

Many people have dreams but some are afraid to take the first step. What should they do to take that leap?

My advice is that there’s no time like the present to chase your dreams. I believe in persistence, failing and trying again. There’s no guarantee for success, but if you’re passionate enough about your dreams, you will always find a way to make it work.

What has been your most significant challenge in setting up Esse?

Being a solopreneur was challenging – the learning curve was steep and the company was built on my savings, so I had to bootstrap and learn/ do everything on my own. When we first started, fast fashion brands were rife, and very few people saw the need to address the sustainability issues in the fashion industry. It took a lot of conviction to stay true to our course and to get our community to join us on this journey.

What can we expect from you and Esse in the future?

Our vision to build a better, more sustainable brand is challenging, and we’re constantly striving to move the needle forward. We’ll continue to work on our sustainability goals for the year and achieving them.

One of the goals we’ve set for the year is to make our products more circular by introducing a Repair programme. The repair programme is almost like a ‘lifetime guarantee’ for all Esse garments. We hope to develop this further by empowering our community to love their clothes, keep them in their wardrobe for a long time, and develop content to teach people DIY mending skills.

We’re also working on a range of foundational basics made from knits – textiles we have never worked with before. The capsule of basics is made from Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton and will be launched later this year.

Finally, what is your approach when it comes to self-growth and taking care of your mental health? 

Lots of reading and listening to podcasts. Going for walks and hikes in nature. Taking time to work on a creative hobby (right now, I’m doing cross-stitching and learning the art of bonsai) and exercising

What is your crazy?

I have a deep love for three completely different things: nature, textiles and people, and that story somehow came together through Esse. I love connecting narratives and people but also find inspiration in the stillness and solitude that being out in nature provides.

Esse is ethically-made and their garments are produced under safe, fair, legal and humane working conditions. It’s also a brand that puts people at the centre of what they do and believe in ensuring that everyone whom they touch should feel accepted, respected and represented.

Shop at Esse and use the code ‘CRAZYCAT10’ upon checkout for 10% off all their designs.

photography Angela Pan