EMESHA - Behind the Label

Hello readers! This post is quite important for me, as  Emese, the lovely girl behind this wonderful eco-luxe label, is very close to my heart.  I met her last year at LFW, and since then we became really good friends: we cheer each other up, we try to push each other when the road gets rocky. Emese is working so hard, and her determination is commendable. Plus her designs are amazing, and I am not just saying it: I find them always classy, simple but still with a unique twist, effortlessly elegant! The girl-meets-boy theme is always present in her collection, nevertheless every season she gives more and more: the latest A/W 2011/12 collection is so far my favourite: Amazing eco-friendly high quality fabrics, precise cutting, draping and beautiful tailoring. She takes the delicate nature of pleating to another level by juxtaposing it with the heavy fabrics, and the harsh angular detailing. 


Please go and check out her designer profile for much more interesting details HERE! also you can find more details on her early days and works HERE!



 She kindly agreed to answer some of my questions, so we can learn a bit more about her as a person and just see what and who is behind EMESHA the label.





CREDITS
Photographer: Mariell Amelie
Hair and make-up: Ole Elias Reinholdtsen Høve
Styling: Shyla Hassan
Model: Natalia Doktor at D1 Models

See-through fitted shirtDouble layered pleated skirt

1. What does your label mean to you and why?

 My label represents my philosophy towards life and fashion. I believe in fair working conditions and unfortunately, particularly within the fashion industry these are not always implemented. The desire to consume has created a more disposable attitude towards fashion, which means no real value is place upon the hard work and skill that goes into making garments of high quality. I think people should invest their hard earned money into wardrobe staples and break the pattern of "one-night-stand" attitude towards fast paced trend shifts. This would save a lot of garments from the landfill! 

Boyfriend blazer & Wool trousers with cuff hem detail

2. What do you think about fashion as a business? 

Fashion is a very difficult business to enter. You have to know your customer and develop good strong contacts within the industry. It’s not enough to be a good designer to create a successful fashion business, you have to be good in sales and have a flair for PR as well – it is very hard work.  

3. What is the biggest challenge for you as an ethical designer? 

The biggest challenge each season is to find the right fabrics for the collection. Although this has improved significantly in the past years, it is still relatively difficult to find sustainable fabrics of really high quality and an interesting texture. Another challenge is to bridge the gap between the consumer’s perception of ‘ethical’ clothing and the truth behind fair fashion. We have come a long way since the days of the first "hemp sacks", however there is still an acute stigma attached to sustainability yet when we take a look at contemporary ethical designers and the collections they are producing, it is clear that this the case anymore. On the contrary, we can find very high quality, beautifully crafted clothes.  

Wool mix fitted dress

4. What does sustainability mean to you as a person?   

To me it means not to waste. This I see as a lifestyle of conscious choices as a consumer, including fashion, food and even the electronic gadgets, buying things that have a minimal environmental impact.  

5. What are your top 3 favourite materials to work with? 

I really like working with silk because of the soft, flowing texture of the fabric. Cotton is really nice for daywear pieces, but my favourite fabric is definitely wool. It comes in such a great variety of textures, form and weights, from very light wool to soft, fluffy pieces. 

6. Give me a highest and lowest moment in your career/life as a designer?

I've had a few highs and lows. One of my greatest fashion moments was being backstage at a Vivienne Westwood fashion show in Paris. I was still a student, but I think that particular moment was pivotal moment in my career which determined my future. Another great moment was when I was accepted to showcase at London Fashion Week with my first collection. I was and still am really proud of being featured on Vogue Italia’s Talents. The lows you try to learn from, each business is difficult to start and I have been faced with all the start-ups problems and challenges.

Pleated shirtdress

7. Your favourites from your A/W11 collection? 

One of my favourite pieces is the navy pleated cocktail dress, but I'm also in love with the pink coat which I cannot wait to wear! For a casual evening out I would choose the black minidress. Every wardrobe should contain a fitted black dress. They suit everyone and can be dressed up or down depending on what you require, and black is never ‘out of fashion.’ 

Fitted evening dress with several different front pleat details and zip detail at back

Fully lined, wool mix winter coat with oversized lapels. Loose fit

8. What or who is your biggest inspiration? 

I like reading about ordinary people, who started out with nothing and found success through hard work and innovative ideas, I find these stories very inspiring. Otherwise my Mom is my biggest inspiration, she has always believed in me and without her support I would not be where I am today.  

9. Give us one word as a sneak peak for your SS12 collection?  

Collaboration! :)   

10. What are your future plans?  

I would like to create a team with like-minded people with whom I could make the label thrive.   

Now you can ask me a question as well, if you want to ;)

What made you become interested in sustainability?

To be honest I cannot recall when it started and why. If I am thinking hard, then I think the first feeling that comes to my mind is that I was a bit bored and sick of the high-street shops. I started checking on Google and read about articles on how they operate, then one thing led to another and I started to check on sustainability, recycling, waste etc. Then came fashion. Then all of a sudden came the idea, I want to have my own sustainable fashion business. I have to say,  I am not perfect, but I am trying to live a more conscious life: buying less clothes, shoes I am having troubles with :); producing less waste, consume less in general.


So there you have it, a little bit more, a little bit personal :)


I hope you enjoyed it!


xxx


Kingu