“I went from Tome to Emote,” says Ryan Lobo. “It was a deliberate choice, and a heartfelt one.” Lobo was previously one half of the design duo Tome alongside Ramon Martin, a label known for its romantic aesthetic and political engagement—their clothing was as beautifully crafted as their activism was genuine. Now Lobo has returned to New York with his latest venture—let’s call it a project rather than a label, which feels too industry-driven and commercial.

Wearing the world: An upcycled striped shirt from Paros, Greece, just one of the places Emote celebrates.

That project is Emote—”It’s Tome spelled backward, with an extra ‘e,'” Lobo explains—a fluid, evolving collection of clothing inspired by travel and created in collaboration with artisans worldwide. Think effortless dresses, tunics, and shorts designed by Lobo, mixed with reworked vintage pieces from Lanvin, YSL, and Christian Dior Monsieur. There are pants and scarves made from Florentine silk, and playful striped shirts upcycled from deadstock fabric found in Paros. Everything is released in small batches rather than full collections, with nothing priced over $800—most pieces cost far less. Emote is about what happens when a designer shifts focus from fashion to life itself.

Emote, in Lobo’s view, should be clothes you wear—not clothes that wear you.

Tome closed in early 2020, just before the pandemic. Untethered and adrift—what Lobo calls “the dark night of the soul so many of us experienced”—he hit the road, traveling through Mexico, Greece, Spain, Morocco, and Vietnam (“Oh, I forgot about Vietnam!”). By the end of Tome, he and Martin had already realized, “The deeper we got into sustainable thinking, the less we needed. Fashion is paradoxical—you’re trying to create while the world feels like it’s crumbling around you. During the pandemic, I had time to travel and reflect. I realized everything I needed fit into a small bag, and that sparked new ideas. It wasn’t a sudden lightbulb moment,” he laughs, “more like a slow solar panel awakening.”

With Emote, there’s ease and elegance in equal measure—and a focus on sustainability.

Emote fosters an emotional connection through pieces that evoke nostalgia—clothes you love, return to, and wear endlessly, often while traveling. “Those special finds that aren’t necessarily expensive or investment pieces,” says Lobo. “Something you bought on a beach in Oaxaca or in Athens that becomes part of your personal style.” Away from the pressures of city life, we’re more accepting of imperfections and wear in our clothing. Emote rejects status symbols and flashiness.

Instead, Lobo has introduced gender-neutral travel sets—a tunic-style tee, pull-on pants, and shorts—which excite him because, after years designing womenswear, he can finally wear his own creations. “Everything is made from deadstock rayon with vintage Italian ribbon trim and elastic,” he says. “The fabric travels well—light, compact, and wrinkles smooth out with shower steam.” The Florentine silks come from Angelo Stanganini, a family business since 1932. Alpaca sweaters are crafted by a Peruvian collective, while surf shorts and pants are made by artisans in Chiapas.

One of the perks of launching Emote? Designing clothes he can actually wear himself.Here’s the rewritten version in natural, fluent English:

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Courtesy of Emote

“All of this shows that there are already great things in the world,” Lobo says. “I’m not trying to replace them or make them better, but there are ways to push them forward. I wouldn’t call them essentials—that would sound almost arrogant. What’s essential to me might not be essential to you.”

Even the accessories are thoughtfully chosen: grosgrain belts to tighten vintage jackets (“They pull everything together,” he says. “It takes the look away from the hippie vibe and adds a stylish edge”); ceramic brooches by Valeryi Yong, a friend from his native Australia who transitioned from styling to art; fringed pareos to wrap and drape however you like; and—coming soon—oversized tote bags that unzip into beach towels.

It all feels very Emote: Take the sunshine with you, wherever you are and wherever you go.

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The meaning remains intact while making the text more fluid and conversational. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!