This season, international fashion brand Esprit announces its second collaboration with London’s Royal College of Art. Celebrating style and creativity, the “Esprit RCA Limited Edition” collection is also a nod to the brand’s ongoing commitment to sustainable development. A testament to Esprit’s confidence in the next generation of designers, this partnership combines the talents of three RCA Fashion Design students with Esprit’s product expertise. The result: an exceptional ready-to-wear capsule collection.
Challenged to create an innovative collection of “must-have” pieces showcasing the brand’s new inspiration, postgraduate students from the fashion design department at London’s renowned Royal College of Art were also invited to propose a new approach to sustainable development, through the question “Can fashion be sustainable?”
Three students particularly distinguished themselves during this challenge, for which “the final results are fantastic”, announces Jasmin Elfving, Head of Design Trend at Esprit. “It’s essential for brands like Esprit to encourage young talent. This not only benefits the young graduates, but also the companies, bringing them new, different and absolutely exciting perspectives and approaches to fashion.”
Among the students who took part in the Esprit challenge, young designers Ryan Mercer, Rachael Hall and Julia Mackenroth were selected as the three brightest candidates, enabling their creations to become genuine collections to which Esprit offers a global launch platform.
Ryan Mercer’s abstract prints draw their inspiration from traces of paint found in an artist’s studio, which he has transformed into noble, contemporary motifs that in turn metamorphose the simplest pieces. “I wanted to create garments that you could literally fall in love with, and cherish,” Mercer explains, “pieces whose life could last beyond one or two seasons.”

Rachael Hall, for her part, set out to celebrate sustainable development. “It’s something I’m really interested in,” says Hall. “As a designer, I’m particularly aware of the propensity to waste clothes in the majority of fast fashion”. Rachael has chosen to highlight ethically-produced Gostwyck Merino wool in her creations, skilfully incorporated into her beautiful knitwear designs.
Julia Mackenroth, a specialist knitwear designer, has reworked traditional Aran patterns and materials to offer a modern, but still handmade interpretation. “I love knitting and working by hand,” explains Mackenroth of the artisanal nature of her creations. The designer also attaches great importance to the commercial side of the creative brief: “When I’m working, I’m constantly asking myself whether I would wear what I’m creating”.
Comprising pullovers, cardigans, coats, blouses and pants, the “Esprit RCA Limited Edition” collection will be on display at the heart of the brand’s brand-new London Regent Street concept store, from mid-September 2012. The entire collection will also be available in a selection of 11 Esprit boutiques around the world, as well as on the brand’s e-shop space. Pieces will be priced from 39.00 to 299.00 Euros.
Cette publication est également disponible en : Français (French)
