The Authenticity of Ernest W. Baker
A look at the behind the scenes of Ernest W. Baker.
How would you describe your Spring-Summer 2022 collection? What has been the main theme?
As a brand, traditionally, we have been inspired by the past, and in several of our previous collections, we have referenced the very young.
For this season, however, we were inspired by adolescence. Referencing that brief moment in our lives which is both fleeting and eternal between the dreams of childhood and the reality of adulthood.
Flowers such as roses are present in your collections. How would you describe your rapport to nature?
Roses represent for us a very powerful image with many meanings and metaphors associated with them. They have been a consistent theme in our collections, as we have attempted to weave their various meanings into our work. We live in a rural location near the sea, and are fortunate to experience the daily nuances of nature and the hues of each season. We are inspired by the beauty of this continual change, and incorporate this into our collections.
How do you create as a duo? Do you split the tasks?
We generally let our inspiration be our guide. We naturally have distinct strengths that we tap into, but since we are still a small team, any decision tends to be a joint decision and we enjoy the process of building off one anothers output.
You are part of a new generation of designers. How did 2020 change your outlook for the future?
We learned some important lessons during the past year and a half, putting what we do into perspective. We never thought part of our skillset would include creating films, and we have just finished our third production. Having the ability to adapt and express creativity in a different way, in response to the changing environment of the fashion industry is something we will take with us as we move into this post-pandemic era. We also have an increased realization of the importance fashion plays as an outlet for self-expression for so many during times of stress, and we feel the weight of this responsibility as we look to the future.
What word defines the future of fashion for you?
Authentic. Being authentic means being honest and doing what is natural. We wear our heart on our sleeves and show exactly who we are and strive to make our work demonstrate that.
Your wish for the future?
Our wish for the future is to continue to grow personally and professionally. It is important for us to remain authentic with our intention as we achieve these goals.