Esme
Esme is a Brooklyn-based intimate apparel brand that sells seaweed-based underwear directly to consumers online, using a proprietary Seacell/Tencel Lyocell blend manufactured in Portugal and shipped globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersBrooklyn, NY, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Esme does
Esme is a Brooklyn, NY-based intimate apparel brand that designs and sells seaweed-based underwear directly to consumers through its own e-commerce storefront at weareesme.com. The brand offers two product silhouettes — a Thong priced at $24 and a Full Coverage Brief at $26 — each available in four color variants (Onyx, Coconut, Sage, and Berry), supplemented by digital gift cards priced from $26 to $200. The company was named after the founder's 94-year-old grandmother, and products are ethically manufactured in Portugal.
The core product technology is a fabric blend composed of 72% Tencel Lyocell (sourced from Lenzing AG), 23% Seacell seaweed fiber (produced by Smartfiber AG from regenerative Icelandic brown algae), and 5% elastane. The brand markets active nutrient-exchange functionality — claiming the fabric releases calcium, magnesium, Vitamin E, and antioxidants onto the skin via body moisture — alongside moisture-wicking, antibacterial, and odor-repellent performance claims. The Seacell fiber is a patented third-party technology; Esme does not own the underlying IP. Esme holds a stack of sustainability and safety credentials including OEKO-TEX Standard 100, European Ecolabel, OK compost HOME, and TITK degradability certifications, and has received a Vogue endorsement and a European Business Awards Process Innovation Award.
Esme operates a pure direct-to-consumer e-commerce model on Shopify with multi-currency support, shipping globally to at least eight markets including the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, and Singapore. The legal entity is We Are Esme LLC, while the Terms of Service indicate the storefront is operated by Taiyo US, Corporation, suggesting an unclarified corporate/operating-company relationship. The company is founder-led with approximately 7 employees, no disclosed institutional investors, no disclosed funding rounds, and no disclosed revenue figures.
Esme firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Esme
- Legal name
- We Are Esme LLC
- Website
- https://weareesme.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Esme is a Brooklyn-based intimate apparel brand that sells seaweed-based underwear directly to consumers online, using a proprietary Seacell/Tencel Lyocell blend manufactured in Portugal and shipped globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Esme industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Women's Intimate Apparel
- NAICS
- Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers (458), Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (45811), Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (458110)
- SIC
- Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Retail-Women's Clothing Stores (5621), Women's, Misses', Children's & Infants' Undergarments (2340)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Intimates, Lingerie, Swimwear & Sleepwear Brands (CRAAAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Panties & Briefs (CRAAAIAB), Sustainable/Ethical Shopping & Capsule Wardrobe Building (HSACAJAL)
Keywords
Where Esme is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brooklyn, NY
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Esme business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations
Revenue model
- Direct Product Sales: One-time purchase of underwear products (thongs and full coverage briefs) at $24-$26 per item through e-commerce platform.
- Gift Cards: Digital gift cards sold in denominations of $26, $52, $78, $110, and $200, representing one to seven pairs of underwear.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Thong - $24.00 per item |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Full Coverage Brief - $26.00 per item |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Cards - $26 to $200 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Esme product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Esme designs, manufactures (via Portuguese partners), and sells seaweed-based women's underwear directly to consumers through its Shopify e-commerce storefront. The product line consists of two silhouettes — Thong ($24) and Full Coverage Brief ($26) — in four colorways, all made from a proprietary fabric blend of 72% Lyocell, 23% Seacell seaweed fiber, and 5% Elastane that delivers breathability, moisture-wicking, and active nutrient exchange with the skin. Digital gift cards ($26–$200) round out the catalog.
Product overview
Esme is a wellness-centric intimate apparel brand offering a focused portfolio of seaweed-based underwear products. The core product line consists of two silhouettes—Thong and Full Coverage Brief—each available in multiple color variants (Onyx, Coconut, Sage, and Berry). All underwear is made from a proprietary fabric blend of 72% Lyocell (from beech and eucalyptus trees), 23% Seacell (seaweed-based fiber from Icelandic Fjords), and 5% Elastane. The brand positions its products around health benefits (gynecologist-recommended breathability to prevent yeast infections and UTIs), sustainability (closed-loop production, biodegradable materials), and comfort (moisture-wicking, antibacterial, 50% more absorbent than cotton). The product portfolio is complemented by digital gift cards. All products are ethically manufactured in Portugal.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Thong in Onyx A thong-style underwear made from seaweed-based Seacell fabric (72% Lyocell, 23% Seacell, 5% Elastane), featuring natural antibacterial properties, moisture-wicking, and breathability to help prevent yeast infections and UTIs. Available in sizes Small through Extra-Large at $24.00.
- Thong in Coconut A thong-style underwear in Coconut (white) made from seaweed-based Seacell fabric (72% Lyocell, 23% Seacell, 5% Elastane), featuring natural antibacterial properties, moisture-wicking, and breathability. Available in sizes Small through Extra-Large at $24.00.
- Thong in Sage A thong-style underwear in Sage (green) made from seaweed-based Seacell fabric (72% Lyocell, 23% Seacell, 5% Elastane), featuring natural antibacterial properties, moisture-wicking, and breathability. Available in sizes Small through Extra-Large at $24.00.
- Thong in Berry A thong-style underwear in Berry (pink) made from seaweed-based Seacell fabric (72% Lyocell, 23% Seacell, 5% Elastane), featuring natural antibacterial properties, moisture-wicking, and breathability. Introduced as part of the Barbie-inspired Berry color drop. Available in sizes Small through Extra-Large at $24.00.
- Full Coverage Brief in Onyx A full coverage brief-style underwear in Onyx (black) made from seaweed-based Seacell fabric (72% Lyocell, 23% Seacell, 5% Elastane), featuring natural antibacterial properties, moisture-wicking, and breathability. Available in sizes Small through Extra-Large at $26.00.
- Full Coverage Brief in Coconut A full coverage brief-style underwear in Coconut (white) made from seaweed-based Seacell fabric (72% Lyocell, 23% Seacell, 5% Elastane), featuring natural antibacterial properties, moisture-wicking, and breathability. Available in sizes Small through Extra-Large at $26.00.
- Full Coverage Brief in Sage A full coverage brief-style underwear in Sage (green) made from seaweed-based Seacell fabric (72% Lyocell, 23% Seacell, 5% Elastane), featuring natural antibacterial properties, moisture-wicking, and breathability. Available in sizes Small through Extra-Large at $26.00.
- Full Coverage Brief in Berry A full coverage brief-style underwear in Berry (pink) made from seaweed-based Seacell fabric (72% Lyocell, 23% Seacell, 5% Elastane), featuring natural antibacterial properties, moisture-wicking, and breathability. Introduced as part of the Barbie-inspired Berry color drop. Available in sizes Small through Extra-Large at $26.00.
- Digital Gift Card Digital gift cards in preset denominations of $26 (one pair), $52 (two pairs), $78 (three pairs), $110 (four pairs), and $200 (seven pairs — a full week), redeemable against Esme seaweed-based underwear.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50% more absorbent than cotton
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Esme
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Esme technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Esme partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Taiyo US, CorporationcoreLegal entity operating the Esme e-commerce business. The Terms of Service state 'This website is operated by Taiyo US, Corporation' and governing law is under their jurisdiction (Brooklyn, NY).
- ShopifycoreE-commerce platform provider powering the online store. From Privacy Policy: 'We use Shopify to power our online store.' Enables multi-currency support, payment processing, and order management.
- Lenzing AGcoreSupplier of Tencel Lyocell fiber used in Esme underwear. From Health Benefits page: 'We are proud to have sourced Tencel Lyocell from Lenzing, a leader in sustainability.' Tencel provides moisture management and breathability properties.
- Smartfiber AGcoreProducer of Seacell patented seaweed fiber. Certificates for OEKO-TEX Standard 100, degradability, home compost, and European Ecolabel are issued through Smartfiber's assets and documentation.
- Portuguese Manufacturing PartnerscoreKnitting, dyeing, cutting, and sewing operations all conducted in Portugal in the same vicinity to support the local community and minimize carbon footprint through facility proximity. Seaweed harvested from Icelandic Fjords.
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Esme competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TomboyX: DTC intimates and underwear brand emphasizing inclusive sizing and sustainable materials. Comparable to Esme in DTC-first intimates focus and product portfolio breadth in basics.
- MeUndies: Subscription-based DTC underwear brand with a comfort and lifestyle positioning. Comparable to Esme in DTC underwear focus, though much larger scale and broader product line.
- Knickey: Organic cotton DTC underwear brand focused on essentials and sustainability. Closely comparable to Esme in target customer (health- and sustainability-conscious women), product focus (underwear basics), and DTC-only distribution.
- WAMA Underwear: DTC underwear brand using hemp-based sustainable fabric. Most direct comparable to Esme in combining a single innovative natural-fiber story with premium DTC positioning and health/sustainability messaging.
- Boody Eco Wear: Bamboo-viscose basics brand offering underwear and undergarments with a sustainability story. Comparable to Esme in natural-fiber differentiation and global DTC e-commerce model.
- PACT: Organic cotton basics brand including underwear with strong sustainability credentials and certifications. Comparable to Esme in sustainability-led DTC intimates and OG/organic cotton positioning.
- Huha: Mineral-based underwear brand targeting health-conscious women with claims around pH balance and odor control. Closely comparable to Esme in health-benefit positioning and ingredient-led differentiation.
Broad incumbents
- ThirdLove: Large venture-backed DTC intimates brand focused on bras and underwear with inclusive sizing. Comparable to Esme in DTC intimates focus but operates at much larger scale across broader product categories.
Emerging players
- Modibodi: Sustainable period and leak-proof underwear brand with patented moisture-management technology. Comparable to Esme in innovative-fabric underwear and health-benefit positioning, though focused on period care.
- Parade: DTC underwear and intimates brand targeting Gen Z with sustainability and inclusivity messaging. Comparable to Esme in DTC channel and target demographic, though broader product range.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Esme social profiles
Digital presenceEsme compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Esme financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Esme leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Esme funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Esme M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Esme
What does Esme do?
Esme designs, manufactures (via Portuguese partners), and sells seaweed-based women's underwear directly to consumers through its Shopify e-commerce storefront. The product line consists of two silhouettes — Thong ($24) and Full Coverage Brief ($26) — in four colorways, all made from a proprietary fabric blend of 72% Lyocell, 23% Seacell seaweed fiber, and 5% Elastane that delivers breathability, moisture-wicking, and active nutrient exchange with the skin. Digital gift cards ($26–$200) round out the catalog.
Is Esme a public or private company?
Esme is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Esme founded?
Esme was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Esme based?
Esme is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, United States, in the North America region.
How does Esme make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Direct Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are gift Cards.
Who are Esme's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TomboyX, MeUndies, Knickey, WAMA Underwear, Boody Eco Wear, PACT and Huha. ThirdLove is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Modibodi and Parade.
Does Esme have an API?
No public API is recorded for Esme.
What industry is Esme in?
Esme's product category is Women's Intimate Apparel. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAAAAF, Intimates, Lingerie, Swimwear & Sleepwear Brands, with a secondary code of CRAAAIAB, Panties & Briefs. Its NAICS code is 458 and its SIC code is 5600.