Designer Interview - Esther Bonté

With endless passion and certainly a talent beyond her years, Esther Bonté has set to change the way we all think about scarves. Basing her collection on the Paradise Vs. Hell vibe of Las Vegas Esther’s patterns are bold, brave and most of all beautiful. Here Boticca chats to the French designer and hears all about the endless possibilities of the humble scarf.

Esther, can you just tell us a bit about yourself?

Of course; although I now live in Paris I am actually from Bretagne, near the sea. I come from a family with a creative background doing jobs such as graphic artists, text editor, painter and fashion designer and thanks to my background; I came into the artistic world naturally. I went to DUPERRE School in Paris and gained a degree in textile designing.

How do you get your inspirations?

I get my inspiration in several areas, by reading magazines as Vogue, Numero, AD and Ideat. I also get my inspiration from landscapes and photography, something in which an aesthetic, visual and colourful richness emerged from. Certain icons of the 60s such as Serge Gainsbourg, Brigitte Bardot, and certain more modern day icons such as Lenny Kravitz, Vanessa Paradis and Charlotte Gainsbourg fascinate me.

Las Vegas is a major theme in this collection - can you tell us why it influenced you so much?

I was curious to discover the USA and to gain human experiences. I had the opportunity to go to Las Vegas in 2009 and while over there, I was lucky enough to be totally immersed in the American culture, I stayed with an American family and I looked after two children.  While I was there I took lots and lots of pictures and I can honestly say it was an experience that really left a lasting impression on me. When I came back to France, I wanted to associate my passion for scarves with my experience in Las Vegas. With that in mind, I created this collection on the duality of the good and the bad in Las Vegas which was a very strong feeling that I felt being over there. Las Vegas is a story of ethics, awareness and morals.

Can you tell us about your design process?

I use various techniques. By using the Chinese ink, it allows me to draw with much smoothness. I use coloured when I paint and create illustrations and graphics on a very large scale. I often transfer my productions onto my computer in order to increase my possibilities for design.

Where are your products made?

My scarves and the packaging are printed and manufactured in France, in Lyon and Paris.

Why scarves?

It is a feeling I have, it can’t be explained. To me it is instinctive, I like the scarf and I give back that love to it. It is without any doubts for its utility, its flexibility and by way of its square format it has infinite possibilities of personalization.

What have been the biggest challenges you have faced so far as a young designer?

The big challenge is now!!! I am building my company and I am preparing for the trade fair 1st class in September in Paris. I have lots of work to do; it is very scary but exciting at the same time!

To you fashion is?

…passion

To you happiness is?

…all life long

What attracted you to Boticca?

I love this website because it is a website which actually tells the stories behind each of the pieces and also it is international. On this website there are many wonderful creations, it is a very beautiful project and concept.

Who are your favourite designers on the site?

Everything is very beautiful on Boticca website, the designers are all very talented! However, at the moment I really love the handbags by the designer Julia. For more from Esther Bonté click here.