Meet the Brand: Come Back As A Flower
Created by Esper Knows, Come Back As A Flower is a clothing line that focuses on sustainability with 100% of its offerings designed and hand-dyed on recycled cotton. We spoke to Esper recently to learn about the challenges that come with owning your own brand, why sustainability matters, and what it means to be the "Disney of sustainability."
Give us a little background on your brand – how did it begin?
The very first shirt I ever dyed was an accident, actually. I was trying to make a stained white tee completely black, but ended up creating an interesting effect which inspired me to make more with other colors. Before I knew it, major celebrities were wearing my clothes and I ended up having to quit my job and focus on the brand full-time.
What was one challenge you faced when first starting out? How did you solve it?
The major problem starting was sheer manpower. All the customer orders, pieces for celebrities and stylists, and everything else was done completely by my hand for most of the first year. This was beyond overwhelming, so I had to hire a team that could replicate my designs.
How is sustainability incorporated into your brand? How do you go about sourcing materials?
Sustainability is at the very core of our brand philosophy. Everything we produce is made with the earth in mind. Our tees are cut from 100% recycled cotton, which is woven from the waste of normal cotton production. A major part of our business is nature-inspired vintage t-shirts, which help promote upcycling. Beyond that, we are always researching innovative materials to use in our future collections, such as mushroom leather and bamboo fabric.
What’s been the funniest or best vintage tee you’ve ever found?
My favorite vintage piece so far is an early '90s tee with an image of various animals in concentric circles around the earth. It’s such a cool design and inspires me to reach a similar level of equilibrium.
What are your long-term goals with CBAAF?
Ultimately, I want CBAAF to be like the Disney of sustainability - innovating on multiple platforms from clothing to furniture, film, literature, wellness, cooking, renewable energy, gardening, affordable housing, and much more. We really are just at the very beginning of the vision.
Is there anything people may not realize about CBAAF that you’d like to share?
The vision of the brand for me lies in its simplicity and transparency, so there isn’t much that’s hidden to the viewer. I guess people don’t realize that we will be going far beyond just t-shirts in the future, but that’s for us to know and everyone else to find out!
What’s been the biggest validation for you as an artist since starting this?
So far the biggest validation for me has been being contacted personally by some of the biggest names in the world right now. It’s strangely humbling, and reminds me that I’m a vessel for something greater than myself.
Who are some people or brands in the industry that you look up to?
Honestly, the only person I looked up to was Nipsey Hussle (may he rest in peace).
Where’s the most peaceful place you’ve ever been?
The most peaceful place I’ve ever been is a small area called Panther Meadows in Mt. Shasta, CA. It is an ancient sacred area high up on the mountain and the air just vibrates with good energy.
Something you like to do when you need to unwind?
When I have a quiet moment, I like to contemplate the nature of reality itself, which usually means I’ll sit in deep meditation or read some Buddhist Sutra concerning the subject. It’s a great way to step back and see the big picture.
Finally: Favorite Stevie Wonder song? Is it "CBAAF"?
My favorite Stevie Wonder song is "Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away", but "CBAAF" is a close second!
To see more from CBAAF, follow them on Instagram: @comebackasaflower