Essé is a contemporary womenswear brand led by Sunayana Sahni Malhotra, offering reinvented classics and luxury essentials. Rooted in timeless silhouettes and thoughtful design, the brand creates wardrobe essentials that transcend seasons and balances sartorial details with conscious craftsmanship. Our design philosophy lies in embracing time-honoured artisanal techniques with a modern sensibility, to create a design process that is deeply collaborative.
We work closely with artisan communities and specialised craft clusters across India, preserving traditional skills while encouraging innovation through new materials, techniques and applications. These partnerships are integral to our creative process, ensuring that craftsmanship remains at the heart of every collection.
A graduate of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) New Delhi, Sunayana went on to complete her post graduation from the London College of Fashion, where she honed a design philosophy rooted in curiosity, innovation and meaningful storytelling. She believes fashion should do more than create beautiful garments – it should challenge perceptions, inspire dialogue and contribute to positive social change.
Under Sunayana’s creative direction, every collection explores the intersection of functionality, emotion and artisanal techniques. One of the defining pillars of Essé is its commitment to inclusive and responsible design. From incorporating Braille into its packaging and brand communication to collaborating with artisan communities and championing slow, intentional
craftsmanship, the brand continues to expand the conversation around what meaningful luxury can look like.
At Essé, design is an evolving conversation – one that honours culture, celebrates innovation and creates clothing with longevity, purpose and lasting relevance.
