Serif Normal Esma 1 is a regular weight, normal width, very high contrast, italic, normal x-height font.
Keywords: editorial, fashion, luxury branding, headlines, invitations, elegant, refined, dramatic, classic, elegance, editorial tone, premium feel, italic emphasis, contrast display, didone-like, hairline serifs, calligraphic, crisp, high-fashion.
A sharply inclined serif with pronounced thick–thin modulation and crisp, tapered terminals. Hairline serifs and fine connecting strokes contrast with strong verticals, giving the letterforms a delicate, glassy edge. The rhythm is lively and slightly calligraphic, with a right-leaning stance, compact joins, and smooth curves that stay controlled rather than swashy. Numerals and caps maintain the same high-contrast logic, with slender diagonals and clean, pointed finishing strokes.
This style is well suited to magazines, book jackets, and other editorial settings where elegance is a priority. It also fits luxury branding, fragrance/beauty packaging, and high-end hospitality materials, particularly for headlines, pull quotes, and short passages where its contrast can shine. For longer text, it benefits from comfortable sizes and careful spacing to keep the hairlines intact.
The overall tone is polished and upscale, evoking editorial sophistication and a touch of fashion-forward drama. Its high contrast and italic movement feel expressive and cultured without becoming decorative, lending a sense of ceremony and premium quality.
The design intention appears to prioritize a sophisticated, high-contrast italic voice that adds motion and refinement to classical serif structure. It aims to deliver a premium, contemporary editorial feel through crisp detailing, controlled curvature, and a deliberately dramatic stroke hierarchy.
In text, the combination of fine hairlines and sharp serifs creates a bright, shimmering texture that reads best when printing or rendering conditions preserve thin strokes. The italic angle is consistent across cases, and the design leans on precise, modern sharpness rather than soft oldstyle warmth.