At the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, ESSE Studios presented The ESSE Editions – a refined continuation of the brand’s philosophy of purposeful dressing and modern restraint.
Before the runway began, backstage and front row guests reflected that same quiet precision: sculptural tailoring, sharp outerwear and oversized black sunglasses becoming the unofficial accessory of the afternoon. Against the harbour backdrop, the mood felt polished, composed and distinctly ESSE.
Returning to AFC Australian Fashion Week following last year’s appearance in The Frontier, ESSE Studios used Resort ’26 to further define its evolving vision of the contemporary wardrobe – one grounded in permanence rather than performance. Presented as a complete see-now-buy-now offering, The ESSE Editions explored “reduction as power,” pairing sculptural silhouettes with restrained sensuality and a sense of modern pragmatism that has become synonymous with founder Charlotte Hicks’ design language.
Backstage, that philosophy translated into a study of precision. Hair was slicked back, tailoring sat perfectly against the body and models moved through the space in sharply cut layers that felt both protective and quietly sensual. Oversized sunglasses and optical frames became a defining styling detail throughout the presentation – adding an intellectual edge to the collection’s minimal palette and reinforcing the image of the “modern gentlewoman” at the centre of the show.
In the front row, the atmosphere mirrored the collection itself: understated but intentional. Guests arrived in monochrome suiting, sculptural coats and elevated essentials that reflected the brand’s less-is-more philosophy, while the MCA’s harbour-side setting added to the sense of calm authority surrounding the presentation.
With nearly all garments produced locally in Sydney, The ESSE Editions also reinforced the brand’s ongoing commitment to craftsmanship, collaboration and responsible production – proving that restraint, when executed with clarity, can still command a room.
Images: Hope Patterson