Hé the Studio was founded in 2019 by Hester Vanacker and has evolved from a creative outlet to a platform to offer consulting services, conduct research and collaborate.

She holds an MSc in International Fashion and Luxury Management from the Institut Français de la Mode. Since beginning her two-year degree, she has been determined to change the fashion industry and beyond for the better. During her master's studies, she successfully completed the IFM x Kering Sustainability Certificate and also published her first scientific article: Different dimensions of durability in the luxury fashion industry, An analysis framework to conduct a literature review. The latter was published in the Journal of Cleaner Production and generated a lot of positive buzz in the industry, allowing her to complete a six-month internship with Kering's sustainability team. The global luxury group is leading the way with its sustainability strategy. As part of the circular economy department, Hester focused on durability and how to translate her scientific findings into a practical strategy for the group. This work was continued through a second publication “Circularity, Garment Durability, and Just Transition - Understanding the Trinary Interrelationship through an Integrative Literature Review”. In this article, the concept of durability was placed within a just circular transition for the garment and textile industry. 

With a desire to make a direct and meaningful impact, she decided to embark on a new adventure in Sumba, Indonesia, as the Sustainability Manager at the Sumba Hospitality Foundation (SHF). During her first year here, she managed to further develop the upcycling sewing workshops, develop a sustainability curriculum, work with the permaculture garden, and help amplify the Foundation's positive impact through various projects with students, staff, and the local community. After one year at the foundation, she was appointed the new Director.

At the same time, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at l’ENSAM Paris, on the topic “Leveraging a durability index to measure and evaluate a product’s durability performance throughout its different lifetimes”, as a continuation of her earlier work on this topic. For this she is using the opportunity that she is based in Sumba, focusing on the intricate ikat weaving native to the island. Her work on this topic will nourish her projects for SHF and vice versa.

She has also completed the GAYA 200H Yoga Teacher Training, as a complement to her work in sustainability. The yoga philosophy believes that intention is the key to sustainable change, which aligns perfectly with Hé the Studio's values.

Learn more about Hester’s work here.