Los Angeles based womenswear brand ENCOMMÚN Official emerges as a testament to the power of creative fusion and the resonance of a shared vision. For Deborah Barton and Lisa Liberati, the genesis of their brand transcends mere entrepreneurship, but rather embodies a profound quest for artistic authenticity within the realm of fashion. 

Rooted in Deborah's formative experiences in Buenos Aires and Lisa's immersion in the film industry, their partnership emerged from a shared reverence for the transformative potential of artistry. As they recount their journey to Flaunt, it becomes evident that ENCOMMÚN Official is more than a brand—it's a manifestation of their collective ethos and a celebration of divergent influences converging to redefine the sartorial narrative.

Talk us through the inspiration behind ENCOMMÚN Official & what prompted you both to start the brand? 

Deborah Barton: My love of fashion began in 90s Buenos Aires, as a young kid, it seemed like a distant, dream-like world. Even after working in the industry for years, that feeling pressed on. There were few people like me, with the careers I aspired to, and the industry's focus on profit over artistry left me unfulfilled. I wanted to create a brand that viewed fashion as an artform, driven by exploration and inspired by the world and art. Essentially, I wanted to build the brand I wished existed when I was starting out. Lisa and I met in the film industry and instantly connected. Her love for fashion and talent for nurturing artists made us the perfect team to bring our dream brand to life.

Deborah, how did growing up in Buenos Aires influence your creative voice and the design of ENCOMMÚN Official?

Deborah Barton: Buenos Aires is inherently paradoxical, from its people to its architecture and culture. Growing up amidst this dichotomy has woven an appreciation for contradictory ideas into my creative fabric, evident in the vision of ENCOMMÚN

Lisa, how did your work in and around the film industry inspire your creative work and the motivation behind starting a fashion brand?

Lisa Liberati: Working for M Night Shyamalan allowed me to be immersed in a world of creativity for 10 years.  Night wrote and directed all of his films and then began producing and financing them as well so it allowed me to see creativity from an artistic standpoint as well as a financial/business angle. He truly pushed me to expand the way I thought about artists in business.  Then to watch my husband be so incredibly courageous when expressing his creativity on the stage and in front of the camera it’s shown me how to be brave in an intimidating field.  The lessons I have learned and continue to learn from the film industry shape most of my decisions in regard to ENCOMMÚN.  AND Most importantly it’s how I met Deb…without the film industry, ENCOMMÚN as we know it today wouldn’t exist.

Can you expand on the 3 three aesthetic principles (organic graphicness, masculine femininity, and elegant casualness) and why they are a core part of the brand’s identity?

Deborah Barton: The aesthetic principles are deeply influenced by my early life. Tagged neoclassical architecture, a hyper-masculine culture, and the relaxed sophistication of the porteño lifestyle all inform the aesthetic. However, at its core, it's about embracing polarity and playing with contrasts.

‍ENCOMMÚN translates into “in common.” Can you explain the inspiration behind the brand name and how it came to be?

Deborah Barton: The spelling is a subtle nod to the cross-cultural, while the meaning centers on the mission. ENCOMMÚN aims to approach fashion as art, focusing on the parallels between the two, and building common ground through exploration and open dialogue. 

Collector culture is a big part of both of your intentions for the brand. Why is this so important to you and how do you think it will influence the future of fashion/wardrobe building?

Deborah Barton: This is a concept Lisa and I have been talking about since the inception of the Brand. Collector Culture - is our style philosophy. We curate our wardrobes meticulously, as one would a personal art collection and think of our audience as collectors themselves. Our hope is by sharing this approach with our community, we can help to shift away from disposable fashion and towards pieces that have emotional resonance and are made to last. Minimizing the impact to the environment was top of mind from the beginning and the outcome a collector’s worthy wardrobe.

‍What inspired Perception 002?

Deborah Barton: The inspiration for this collection draws from 1970s California Light and Space art movement, building on spatial and functional insights from Perception 001. 

Do either of you have any favorite pieces from Perception 002?

Lisa Liberati: My favorite piece from Perception 002 is a custom piece Deb made me for the Vogue World after-party.  It’s a chainmail collar that is so incredibly special.  It elevated my basic tank and wide-leg trousers and made a very simple look incredibly glitzy and sophisticated.  I loved it and of course, we added it to the line!

‍If you could style anyone in ENCOMMÚN Official, who would it be and why?

Deborah Barton: I would say Eva Longoria. She has been on my muse board from the beginning. I think she is stunning, but more importantly she is incredibly inspiring to me. Her list of accolades - actor, director, activist, businesswoman - is endless. Her evolution is constant and unwavering.

What does the future look like for ENCOMMÚN Official and do you have any new releases coming soon?

Deborah Barton: Collaborating with other artists has been an integral idea to our mission, the search for the right partnership is an exciting one!  And yes, we are releasing our new collection in August, can’t wait to share.