ABOUT ESTHEX

It was many years ago, in the year 2003, when Esther met Sofie. She existed as a drawing, very well hidden away in her parents attic.

Esther felt inspired by the humor and simplicity and took the drawing, which she made when she was four years old, downstairs. Sofie was a model for the first Esthex doll and this was only the beginning of creating a whole family of dolls and friendly animals. Some characters like to play a musical tune, others like to entertain around the cradle or pram and some just like hanging around with the little ones.
 

At first she made all dolls herself, then got in contact with a social workplace in her hometown where the dolls were made for four years.

Now, since 2008, they all come by boat from Thailand where they are made in a workplace with ICTI certificate, meaning they provide good workingconditions for their employees. All products are made by hand or sewingmachine and are sold worldwide from childrens boutiques to lifestyle stores.

Esther Schuivens was born in Sittard, The Netherlands, and grew up in a small town nearby. She liked playing the saxophone and loved playing house with her dolls and friends.

When she was eighteen she moved to Maastricht and studied Art textiles at the Academy of Visual Arts where she graduated in 2000. Esther lives in Belgium with her husband and their three daugthers in an old restored house with sheep in the backyard.