EGR is a growing Mexican brand making rebellious art waves in Mexico City. We interviewed the founder and fashionista Enrique, who bases his designs on Mexican folklore and tradition, but in a defiant and utterly modern way
HOW DID YOU START YOUR BRAND?
The brand was registered in 2005; however, years ago, I was creating things without formally calling them a label or brand. I returned to Mexico from London in 2005 after studying Fashion Styling at Istituto Marangoni, which was cut short since I decided to transfer to other schools like Saint Martin’s and London College. I took specialized courses in Art Direction, Design fashion, and jewelry, among other subjects, which I found much more interesting than styling.
I returned to Mexico in 2005 because my father had passed away, and I wanted to be close to my Family. I decided to formalize my personal EGR project and open my own CLINICA Multi-Brand Boutique, which I shared with Denise Marchebout until 2009. We represented and promoted designs made in Mexico.
At that moment, I closed the store to focus on my brand and went to Bali to design for other projects for four years. I then switched back to Mexico, this time to the Caribbean in Tulum, where I wanted to focus on my brand again.
HOW DID YOU MAKE A MOVE BACK TO TULUM? WHAT INSPIRES YOU THERE?
Nature is essential to me. Bali and Tulum taught me a lot about being aware of the natural materials I use in my production, my body and the people I want to be surrounded by. I am also a city person. London shaped my character and personality in terms of design and multicultural fashion. London’s streets and city life are unique, but I wanted to stay closer and closer to who I was at my core. Mexico was always a great inspiration. My brand now is what London, Bali or Tulum used to be;
everything has to reflect on everything I have lived.
WHAT ABOUT MEXICO CITY?
Mexico City is a city that inspires me a lot. I need that energy now; I have to be here, and it is something I will reflect on in my upcoming collections. The Urban & Artisanal behind the brand is precisely this, handmade and organic, but transformed and taken to the city, so you don’t feel like an outsider wherever you are.