Lontessa is a fashion label from New Zealand-raised, Singapore-based designer.
Tessa Lont launched her brand in 2014. Deeply immersed in the rich tapestry of Maori culture and the wild, magic beauty of her native New Zealand, Lont takes her inspiration from the lore of her people and thoughtful engagement with the sustainability of materials and the elevated life cycles of her garments.
Passionate about honouring materials and practice, Lont is proud to introduce possum fur outerwear to the globe and into the luxury sphere; leading the conversation on the conservation of New Zealand’s natural flora and sustainable hunting, not farming.
Lontessa is pleased to offer lines of Made-to-Order, Ready To Wear and Intimate Apparel.
FOCUS ON: LONTESSA, A CHAT WITH TESSA LONT x KREEP. MAGAZINE
KREEP: How did your passion for design start and how your creative process work?
Ideas come from your experiences, I have become a slave to my ideas, when I was younger I would make sacrifices mostly physically or financially, often working multiple jobs to make sure I could give my creations life and turn a dream into reality.
KREEP: How fashion nowadays helps and motivate you to become a fashion designer?
Its an amazing feeling to create a garment and other people love it. I love the joy I can bring to people.
KREEP: Can you tell us a little bit about your references for the last collection?
Introducing an exploration of wild femininity, natural grace and untamed land. From Design to fruition, visions of “The Hunter is now Hunted” were inspired by elevating an unnatural problem into a naturally graceful solution.
KREEP: Are you sick of people talking about millennials? Do you see yourself as a designer for young people, a new generation?
I was annoyed when I first heard it. Why do we have to be categorised into our age groups? I am tired of people asking what demographic market I am targeting, Or world is much more inclusive than that. Many of us now have access to any geography, timezone and culture, digitally or physically. We travel more than ever. We can be categorised into our values. I like to focus more on the psychographics.
KREEP: How fashion competitions can change the business industry? Will you apply at some in the future?
I am not a competitive person, I believe we should be helping each other than trying to beat each other.
KREEP: How do you want people to feel when they wear your clothes?
Like they can best represent who they are and how they would like to feel.
KREEP: What do you think it’s your best-selling piece from your last collection?
I only had 8 looks in the NYFW. The coats were all one offs and were sold the week later. Some of the underwear is about to go into production, it will be available next year as Lontessa Basic Items.
KREEP: What do you think about the opportunity of selling your products on online platforms, you think it might be a good showcase for your work and your future?
I am not too sure, I have been approached by a few companies, but I don’t believe their brand suits mine.
KREEP: What young designers need right now from fashion industry to grow up?
There are a lot of designers, so much competition, it took me years and tons of money to get where I am, in a way it’s an addiction, something I can’t stop! I just keep building my skills. I say young designers should do the same.
KREEP: List us three favourite designers / icons who inspire you.
At the moment I am loving Guo Pei, Ralph and Russo, Maria Grazia Chiuri.
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