EMOTE continues Ryan Lobo’s exploration of themes of inclusivity, community over consumption, and easy dressing, all of which were foundational pillars for his previous brand TOME. In very limited production runs, pieces like the hand crocheted bag, fringe scarves and cotton striped pantaloons, adopted by Leandra Medine Cohen, Jennifer Alfano and Sarah Harris, have sold out several times.
Born from Lobo’s post-pandemic travels, the epiphany of how little we need to be able to live was the impetus for EMOTE. He began with a single oversized bag and a few ‘essential’ items which Lobo believed could take him anywhere in the world with. The things collected along the way - those precious, one off, local hand made treasures - round out the vision. Whilst fashion remains his medium of connection, EMOTE offers a traveler’s perspective on getting dressed.
EMOTE is a platform for collaboration, and fulfills Lobo’s obsession with women art makers and artisans. Two women from his circle appear in the brand images because they designed bags (In India and Australia) and hand blended the brands signature herbal EMOTea (here in the USA). Lobo’s true passion for collaboration and social justice culminates in his work with multiple initiatives in the mountains of Chiapas, Mexico, all allow a new and earnest proposition of one off items, made by hand over time. Colectiva Malacate (an autonomous and self-managing women’s collective) and El Camino de Los Altos ( a close collaboration between eight French textile designers and 130 weavers from the Chiapas Highlands. Our focus is on fair and solidarity trade).
Sustainable Pima Cotton shirts and Baby Alpaca knits and coats from Peru, reclaimed Cashmere and upcycled Silk from Italy, deadstock Rayon twill travel sets, oversized toweling bags and leather slippers sourced from both, beads, kaftans and sandals from Greece and Mexico, hand crocheted bags from India and globally sourced vintage, upcycled in the USA
