Esero is the Sydney-based swimwear label paying tribute to its Macedonian roots
image via @esero_/INSTAGRAM
words by daisy henry
“Seeing a successful slow fashion brand thrive is a win for all of us.”
When contemplating what to name her swimwear label, founder Sandra Spasovski knew she wanted to pay tribute to her family’s past. Both of her parents were born in the former Yugoslavia, where it was fairly common for people to make and sew their own clothing. “As most manufacturing was local, if you wanted a new ‘cool’ or Western style of clothing, the most attainable way was to make it yourself,” she says.
Although Sandra’s mum grew up sewing in her twenties, a skill she inherited from her own mother and grandmother, it wasn’t until her final year of high school that Sandra started to learn the basics herself – starting with a pair of swimwear. After a year of trial and error, she decided to launch Esero and open an online store.
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“I think being slightly delusional about my goals has helped me get through it, especially during the tough times,” she says. “You have to have an extremely strong passion and believe in what you’re doing. If I didn’t have that, I would’ve given up 100 times by now.”
The name ‘Esero’ is a way of honouring her grandmother and her skills as a seamstress. Sandra’s childhood summers often involved travelling back to Lake Ohrid in Macedonia, where her grandmother grew up. “The Macedonian word for lake is ‘ezero’, I swapped the Z for an S and that is how the name Esero was born. And that’s why Esero is still pronounced the original way with a Z.” she says.
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Fashion Journal: Hi Sandra! Tell us about your fashion background.
Sandra: I started Esero right after high school with absolutely no prior experience in fashion. In fact, I didn’t even take textiles for my HSC. The idea for learning how to sew came during the first Covid lockdown in 2020, while I was in year 12. My mum and I tracked down an old sewing machine that she’d found on the side of the road 20 years prior. My brother cleaned and restored it and off I went.
My parents were born in former Yugoslavia where the craft of sewing and making clothes was still very much alive at the time. As most manufacturing was local, if you wanted a new ‘cool’ or Western style of clothing the most attainable way was to make it yourself. My mum sewed most of her clothes in her twenties, learning from her mother and grandmother. A skill that has been passed through many generations.
It makes me sad to think that, in recent decades, this tradition has been broken. As clothing has become cheaper and more disposable, the craft itself is becoming further undervalued and underappreciated. We’re losing the beauty of cherishing, caring for and properly repairing our clothes.
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How did the Esero get started? Talk us through the process and the challenges.
Almost instantly after my mum taught me the basics of sewing, I jumped into making a pair of swimmers. Anyone who knows how to sew knows that stretch fabrics, especially swimwear, are not something you’d tend to begin with. However, as impatient and eager as I was, I decided it would be a great first project. It was not without its challenges and tantrums, like lying on my brother’s bedroom floor (where he kindly let me keep my sewing machine) or getting yelled at when he’d find random pins in his bed (sorry Stefan). About a year later, I officially launched Esero and my online store.
How has your label evolved and what are you trying to achieve now?
When I started, I knew I wanted the name to communicate my family’s past. I wanted to learn more about the history and culture and wanted to stay connected to it. I also wanted to honour my grandmother somehow, as she was an amazing seamstress and taught my mother so well. She grew up along the breathtaking Lake Ohrid in Macedonia.
I have been lucky enough to spend many of my childhood summers there, visiting family and spending countless hours swimming in the pristine lake. The Macedonian word for lake is ‘ezero’, I swapped the Z for an S and that’s how the name Esero was born. That’s why Esero is still pronounced the original way with a Z.
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How would you describe Esero to someone who’s never seen it before?
Esero is a slow fashion swimwear brand, known for its high-quality fabrics, elegant designs and flattering cuts. My pieces focus on timeless style, comfort and functionality.
What do you wish you knew when you started?
Honestly, I didn’t think much when I started. I was 18, fresh out of high school and had recently learned about the horrors of fast fashion. I wanted to help change it for the better and be a part of the growing slow fashion movement. I had huge dreams and expectations for Esero, without thinking much about the reality and the true financial and mental cost of running a small business. That being said, I think being slightly delusional about my goals has helped me get through it, especially during the tough times. You have to have an extremely strong passion and believe in what you’re doing. If I didn’t have that, I would’ve given up 100 times by now.
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Who do you think is most exciting in Australian fashion right now?
I think it’s so important for us small Aussie brands to connect, know and support each other! Seeing a successful slow fashion brand thrive is a win for all of us, especially now, as huge brands continue to make more and more profits, another small business closes its doors. It’s very scary.
Some made-in-Australia brands I love are Itadaki, Syrup Underwear, Ninetwo.5, Katharina Lou, Sabi the Label, Jillian Boustred, Oats the Label and House of Blyss.
What about the local fashion industry needs to change?
So much about the fashion industry needs to change: fast fashion, ethical production, better materials, waste, wage theft… the list goes on. However, I know that this can feel so overwhelming for consumers. Where do I start? How do I know who is ethical? The number one thing any one of us can do is stop overconsuming.
Buy less, buy better quality. This has always been my motto when shopping. If you have a certain budget, look for how you can maximise it in terms of quality and cost per use. Ask yourself questions like: How long is this going to last? Can I see myself wearing this in one year? What about in five years?
The average Australian buys 56 pieces of clothing a year – the most of any other country in the world. Imagine if we cut that number in half and only bought quality pieces that we truly loved and treasured. We, as consumers, have so much more power than we think, use it well.
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Who are your dream collaborators?
I’m always open to collaborating with other designers and photographers. I think it’s so important for all of us to connect and support each other however we can!
How can we buy one of your pieces?
All of my pieces are available on my website!
Keep up with Esero here.
