The Journal

The transition for most women as they enter motherhood is an underlying pressure to fully focus on their children, but mothers need an opportunity to feel like themselves, rather than being a “mum” 24/7. What does this new identity look like and how can mothers make space for mental wellness while they reshape their identity?

We speak with our close friend, Summer, who is the founder of KAISO, a leather accessories brand, as she opens up about the challenges of being a stay-at-home mother and how that has redefined her identity and perspectives.

When you meet Sarah for the first time you’re immediately drawn to her warmth, sincerity and down-to-earth nature; traits that one is hard-pressed to find these days, especially given her credentials. In 2021, Sarah launched her own conscious footwear brand, Bronwyn, dedicated to and named after her late mother. We speak to the mother of two on the values that have shaped her; how that is reflected in the work she puts out into the world and the legacy she hopes to pass on to her sons.

Tell everyone you fixed it yourself, or help a friend patch things up. We’ve put together easy to follow repair videos with Renee of Repair Redefined, a clothing repair advocate and mending enthusiast.

Why not pick up a useful repair trick or two, and make your grandma proud?

When you first meet Ziling, you’re immediately drawn to her graceful elegance; much like the ethos of the brand she runs, RE:ERTH. 

Besides exuding the quiet confidence of a founder and COO, the busy businesswoman also has glowing and luminescent skin to boot. We speak with her to learn more about RE:ERTH and her beauty secrets.

2021 marks the fourth edition of Esse’s OFFCUTS project, and this year we are honoured to be able extend the conversation of reducing waste and upcycling leftover materials to other businesses who share the same ethos. This year, we share our offcuts and end of roll fabrics with these businesses to utilise and upcycle for a variety of projects. One of the businesses is Charlotte Puxley Flowers, a beautiful floristry studio in Singapore.

At the heart of Esse is a deep appreciation for the process of creating and craftsmanship. As creatives ourselves, we're often stimulated by the work and craft of other artists and makers, and we believe that by supporting and nurturing a community of like-minded creatives, we can foster thought and enrich each other. In this ongoing series entitled Creative Collaborations, we engage with creatives of all disciplines, explore other fields of making and collaborate to create original objects that celebrate the beauty of handmade. To kick things off, we share a special collaboration with New Zealand artist, Cindy Leong, who is no stranger to our brand. 

One of the secrets to making your clothes last longer is knowing how to take care of them. Most of our garment’s wear and tear comes from regular washing, which can take a toll on your favorite items and investment pieces. Laundry may seem like an intimidating chore, but there are just a few simple things to keep in mind - we promise it gets easier over time! 

In this entry, we share some easy tips on how to care for your garments, so you’ll be looking forward to your next laundry day when it comes around.

If co-working is the future of work, then The Village is definitely leading the way. Located in a charming, converted villa just on the fringe of Auckland’s CBD, The Village... Read More

The existential issues that the fashion industry has been grappling with has been something that I’ve been trying to address with our small little brand for nearly 3 years. Having worked in the luxury fashion industry for a number of years, and seeing firsthand the amount of waste generated and the mountains of unsold inventory stuck in warehouses had made me want to approach the way that we operate differently.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is Each for Equal, and is all about challenging stereotypes and broadening perceptions for a more inclusive and representative society. That’s why, we’ve decided to sit down with Charmaine to chat about her work and her thoughts on inclusivity and representation, particularly along the lines of femininity.