86% matchViktoria & Woods
Melbourne minimalism built on merino knitwear
What changes: Broader commercial range with denim and tees, more stores
Brand profile
Esse Studios
Australian womenswear label making slow-release capsules of minimal tailoring, knitwear and dresses in natural fibres, founded in 2017 by Charlotte Hicks.
MelbourneOrigin
WomenswearFocus
Minimalist / ContemporaryStyle
$$$Price
4 brands like Esse Studios like Viktoria & Woods, Sister Studios, Wynn Hamlyn →
What to know about Esse Studios
Capsules replace seasonal collections
Founded in 2017 as a response to industry waste, the label drops small slow-release capsules instead of following the seasonal calendar.
Knitwear anchors a neutral wardrobe
Best known for knitwear, with tailoring, sculptural dresses and wide-leg trousers in natural fibres and a restrained neutral palette.
Big-brand training, independent ownership
Designer Charlotte Hicks worked at Zimmermann and Sass & Bide before starting the Melbourne label, which stays independent and sells direct plus through SSENSE.
If you like Esse Studios
86% match
84% matchSister Studios
Locally made limited runs in linen and wool
What changes: Softer, more artisanal and less tailored
78% matchWynn Hamlyn
Antipodean soft tailoring with ribbed knit focus
What changes: More playful colour and draped statement pieces
76% matchBrand facts
ESSE Studios is an Australian womenswear label founded in 2017 by designer Charlotte Hicks, a University of Technology Sydney graduate who previously worked at Zimmermann and Sass & Bide. Reacting to industry waste, the brand releases small slow-release capsules rather than seasonal collections, built around tailoring, sculptural dresses, knitwear and wide-leg trousers in natural fibres and a restrained neutral palette. Pieces are designed to be interchangeable and long-lived. It remains independently owned and sells direct-to-consumer alongside stockists including SSENSE.
- Founded
- 2017
- Origin
- Melbourne, Australia
- Made in
- Australia
- Price
- $$$
- Focus
- Womenswear
- Facts checked
- August 2026
- Styles
- Minimalist / Contemporary, Quiet luxury