Designer and recipient of the US Fashion Trust Accessories Award, Esha Soni has built her business on the principles of intentional and virtuous work. After contributing to the growth of renowned brands such as Michael Kors, Proenza Schouler, and Ralph Lauren, Soni launched her own label—embedding philanthropy and fashion sustainability into its very foundation. Her company is guided by a series of moral commitments: creating a foundation to support the education of underprivileged children in India, pledging sustainable supply chains, and ensuring the fair treatment of workers. This prioritisation of morality serves not only as a compass for the company but also as a true reflection of Soni herself. Delicate yet strong, with refined metalworking and innovative silhouettes, her designs speak for themselves—telling a story of craft, intention and a commitment to bettering the world along the way.
hube: When beginning any process of creation, what is the first step? Is it conceptual, emotional, or material? How do you know when you’re ready to begin?
Esha Soni: The process of creation is the most revered part of the journey—the true starting point. I approach it in a deeply intuitive way, led by what I find myself emotionally responding to. It could be a shape, a form or a colour story. From there, the journey begins—research, sketching, designing and collaborating closely with our skilled artisans to explore the most refined technical ways to bring the vision to life.
hube: Do you see your work as closer to fashion, sculpture, or something else? How do you define your practice in your own words?
ES: I don’t really view my work as fashion. I’m intentionally creating objects that are timeless and transcend trends. Fashion, by nature, is cyclical. What I’m building is a foundation of enduring pieces—sculptural yet functional—that stand as pillars in a wardrobe, designed to last and be appreciated over time.
h: Styling is often described as a kind of mathematics—where each element needs to balance the others. Within your brand, Esha Soni, what kinds of formulas or internal logic do you find yourself relying on? Do you approach creation intuitively, analytically—or both?
ES: My process isn’t mathematical—it’s entirely intuitive. I lead with feeling rather than analysis, guided by emotion more than logic.
h: Having grown up in Mumbai and now living in New York, you’ve inhabited two cities known for their relentless pace and energy. How has this duality shaped your worldview, your creative process, and even your idea of “home”?
ES: Ironically, having grown up in Mumbai and spent my adult life in New York, I’ve brought the opposite energy into my work—the ethos of slow luxury. A slower, more mindful approach to creation and consumption. Esha Soni is rooted in this philosophy: craftsmanship and an old-world idea of having less, but having the right things. I’m averse to the constant churn of ‘newness’ in the fashion industry. Instead, I focus on pieces that will never go on sale—pieces that are forever. I’m committed to building a brand anchored in that belief.
h: You’ve spoken about building a foundation to support children in India who lack access to basic resources. Was this always a core mission, or did it grow alongside your brand? How do you envision its future?
ES: Growing up in Mumbai, and now as a mother of two boys, I’ve always felt a deep urge—and urgency—to uplift children below the poverty line through education. Public education in India is deeply under-resourced, and I’ve long carried the mission of helping provide primary education as a path to freedom from circumstance. Incorporating this into the brand was a natural decision—giving back to the children who need it most is at the heart of what we do.
hube: What has the impact of education been on your own path? Was there a particular moment, teacher, or lesson that redirected your trajectory?
ES: I studied in Florence, Italy, for a year at Polimoda as part of my Bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. That year was pivotal—it revealed to me the Italian reverence for beauty, for craft, and for a slower, more intentional approach to art, fashion and business. That time deeply influenced the way I work today.
h: Are there particular artists—contemporary or historical—whose work continues to influence you? What is it in their work that resonates with you: their form, philosophy, palette, or spirit?
ES: I’m drawn to abstract forms—biomorphic, organic shapes, colour and prints. Artists and ceramicists like Brancusi, Valentine Schlegel, Victor Pasmore, Simone Bodmer Turner and Jules Olitski continually inspire me.
h: What does success mean to you today, and how has that definition shifted over time?
ES: When I see someone respond to my work in a way that truly moves them—when they’re viscerally affected by the design, the quality—and when I see them wear the pieces, that’s a moment of real happiness and fulfilment for me. Success, for me, is internal. It’s about feeling good about what I’m doing. When I send that cheque to Citta for the girls in Jaisalmer—that’s a moment I feel proud of.
h: When reflecting on ways of understanding the world, questions often turn out to be more important than answers. What questions are most essential to you right now?
ES: I often ask myself: How am I inspiring others? How am I giving back? How can I create, in this overcrowded space, pieces that resonate—that are timeless? How can I contribute to a more sustainable industry?
Photography courtesy of ESHA SONI
Interview by ISABELLA MICELI